5 TIPS ON HOW TO REGAIN PASSION FOR YOUR JOB

Feeling a bit unproductive and unmotivated at work these days? We're here to tell you that you can learn to love your job again — it's easier than you think!

---

In these chaotic, uncertain times it’s a huge relief to have a job with a regular pay cheque. Why, oh why, is it then so hard to get into the swing of things (especially after the holidays)?

You’re not alone if you feel overwhelmed at work and dislike – maybe even hate – your job. Luckily, there’s a good chance that if you loved your job once, you could learn to love it again. Get started with these five steps:

STEP 1: ACKNOWLEDGE WHAT’S GOING ON
So, you dislike your job. Now be honest: how does this affect your work performance? Are you disengaged? No longer going the extra mile? This applies to 70% of the workforce, from factory workers to doctors and pilots, according to an international study by Gallup (an analytics and advisory company based in the US).

Are you perhaps ‘quiet quitting’ – where employees have mentally quit their job and are only doing the bare minimum so as not to get fired?

STEP 2: FIGURE OUT WHY
“If you’re dreading going to work, what is it that you’re dreading: the people, the tasks, the hours or the working environment?” says Zanele Luvuno, a talent expert in Johannesburg.

“It’s important to know because some of those things can be remedied.” Be truthful in your self-assessment to figure out whether it’s really your work or yourself that you are actually unhappy about.



STEP 3: WHAT DO YOU REALLY WANT?
Now, sit and make a list of all the pros and cons of your job, highlighting what you’d ideally want. “Be clear about what conditions you want to work in,” says Zanele.

“Do you want to work remotely, or be in an office because you enjoy being around people? Where does money fit into the equation? What technical work do you want to be engaged in?”

STEP 4: ASK FOR WHAT YOU WANT
Whether you wish to work remotely or need a raise, talk about it with your employer. Maybe you can find a compromise. Sometimes changing responsibilities or moving to a different department can also make a positive difference.

Or look for other opportunities within the company to boost your happiness, such as joining an employee training programme to learn new skills, a committee or project that interests you, or take part in staff volunteering for a good cause.

STEP 5: MOTIVATE YOURSELF
“You can curate happiness in your work experience from a combination of sources,” says Zanele. For example, focus on the job aspects that you do enjoy. Try to ban negative thoughts, and instead find things that you can be grateful for.

Gratitude has proven to increase people’s mood, energy and physical well-being. Reward yourself: even small things such as sharing a cupcake with a colleague or taking a break in the sunshine can be joyful. Make the best of your situation and keep your sense of humour.

Ultimately, if you still hate your job after following these steps, you have two options: hang in there, or quit! If you decide on the latter, stay in your current job until you have secured a new one.

Having no income makes things much, much worse. On the upside, there’s also the possibility that you’re simply having a stressful period at work and that once it’s over, you’ll fall back in love with your job.

Text: Silke Colquhoun
Photograph & Illustration: Shutterstock