Lack of Motivation at Work - What's Behind It and What Can You Do

Don't Want to Work - What Helps Best?

Many people dread the thought of having to go back to work tomorrow. In the morning they'd rather not get up at all, they can't concentrate on the job and get nothing done. They're unhappy with themselves and just want to escape into a long vacation. You don't want to work, so what helps?

[caption id="attachment_539" align="alignright" width="300"] Unmotivated at work.[/caption]

The Causes:

Overwhelm: The tasks you're given are often too much and sometimes too difficult. They're simply not manageable for you. High performance pressure and constant stress lead to a bad mood and lack of motivation. Burnout shows itself much like depression, through symptoms of emptiness, exhaustion, headaches or high blood pressure and fear of failing.

Poor Workplace Atmosphere: Among coworkers there is competition, envy and distrust. Nobody helps anybody else.

Being Underchallenged: You only do tasks that demand nothing of you and see no prospects.

Simply Not the Right Job: Sometimes your training and your priorities simply lie somewhere else. Trust yourself to find a different, better-suited position. Build contacts and apply for your dream job. Just don't quit until you have it locked in.

Don't want to work, what helps?

Look for a Balance in Your Free Time: Do something in your free time that you enjoy. Even if you have a family that also demands a lot at home, you should take an hour a day for yourself to exercise or pursue a hobby. Look forward to this time out while you're at work and see it as your reward.

Share the Problem: "Don't Want to Work, What Helps?" With Others: Talk about your problem with your partner or a good friend. Outsiders can often see and judge things differently. If that doesn't help, seek help from appropriate counseling services or confide in a psychotherapist.

Think Positively: Normally you imagine everything you won't manage, the complicated phone call, the mountains of work and the conversation with your supervisor. These images make you tired and discouraged. Try to consciously flip the movie in your head. Imagine the day going well.

Job Crafting: This buzzword stands for the technique of shaping your work in a positive and active way. First recognize the importance of your job, even if you're only a cog in the machine. Talk to your boss about switching to tasks you enjoy or that suit you better. Make friends with coworkers; together, the workday is more fun and easier to bear.

Don't Take Your Work Home With You: In many jobs today it's common to be reachable by phone in your free time or to handle emails on your own computer. Don't allow that. You, too, have the right to an undisturbed private life.

Tips for a Better Working Life:

  • A balanced ratio of free time & work.
  • Share problems with friends.
  • Think positively.
  • Job crafting.
  • Separate private life & work.