Motivation…some days it’s elusive, and other days it comes to us in bursts. But once you’ve lost your motivation for a prolonged period of time, you probably feel like you’ll never find it again.
Don’t worry—I’m here to help you get it back.
Where Do We Get Our Motivation?
Motivation isn’t one of life’s constants, and it’s certainly not a yes or a no. In fact, motivation ebbs and flows with different levels. Let’s walk through them now.
- Core: Having meaning and forward movement, the core is also known as your purpose.
- Support: This encompasses enablers and your support network, like friends and family.
- Surface: This comes from external recognition and acknowledgement.
Now that you better understand the nature of motivation and where we get it from, let’s talk about why you’ve lost your motivation.
3 Signs You’ve Lost Your Motivation
Sometimes, losing your motivation is kinda like falling in love…first it happens slowly, then all at once. To add to this sense of loss and confusion, you might not be sure which domino triggered the fall of the whole row.
Here are the most common motivation-loss causes that I’ve seen.
1. You Feel Burnt Out
Understaffed employers who operate with a lean team, coupled with our 24/7 connected world, have made burnout increasingly common. This condition is notorious for sapping motivation levels. If you’re feeling sluggish and exhausted, to the point where you’re starting to experience actual burnout, you’ll want to identify and treat it before it gets out of hand…not just for your motivation levels, but also for your overall health!
2. The Passion Isn’t There Anymore
You were always a high performer. You used to love your job, and it seemed to love you back. But now you’ve lost your motivation and are getting disillusioned with your day-to-day tasks. The passion you had for your profession simply isn’t there anymore.
Losing that sense of purpose and passion in your work can unravel any motivation you once had.
3. You Fantasize About Leaving
Occasionally daydreaming about changing jobs or switching fields is normal, but regularly fantasizing about leaving your job for a new one is a red flag that you’re not where you should be. If you find yourself thinking about leaving more than you care about staying, it might be time to reevaluate your current gig.
How to Get Your Motivation Back
If you relate to any of the above, don’t worry—getting your motivation back is within your grasp. Here’s a few things you can do to help reignite that spark.
Schedule Your Breaks
Yes, your calendar is filled with meetings and appointments already. But you faithfully follow all of them to a T.
Your breaks can be like that, too.
Go ahead and send a calendar invite to yourself for a time you know you’ll stick to. Then, take that break. Brew yourself a cup of calming tea and put your feet up for a while. Shut off all screens and read a physical book. Sit on your porch and listen to the sound of the wind in the leaves. Whatever activity you choose, your brain will be thankful for a break from the stress—sparking creativity and motivation down the line.
Exercise for Endorphins
Never underestimate the power that exercise-induced endorphins can have on your mood! Whether you’re taking a brisk walk or hitting up the gym for a high-intensity workout, your brain will thank you for the extra jolt of happiness to your system—giving you the increased energy for more motivation in the future.
Leave Your Job
Yeah, you read that right…resign. But only if you’re absolutely sure you should.
See, if you repeatedly find that there’s only so far you can take your current position, or if you keep hitting a brick wall, the best solution might be to leave your employer. And that’s okay.
Starting a new job (or going into business for yourself) can work wonders in reigniting your motivation. A change of scene and a new title may be exactly what you need to help spark renewed ambition.
Motivation: Final Thoughts
I hope that reading this gives you the encouragement you need to get your motivation back. Remember, motivation comes from a core purpose, your support network and surface recognition—but if you have most of these things and still feel a loss of motivation, it’s time to make some changes in your life.
Scheduling breaks, moving your body and even quitting your job are each tactics you can use to hit reset on your brain, and get that motivation back. Whether you try one or all of these techniques, I’m confident that you can come back to your profession refreshed, motivated and filled with bright ideas.
