Tips to rekindle the passion for your job
Feeling tired and flat at work can tempt you to quit — but who can afford to in times of soaring costs and unemployment? Instead, take steps to rekindle your passion for your job.
Most of us spend at least a third of our lives at work, so being happy there is hugely important. But the grind of daily routines and the relentless pressure of targets and deadlines, leave us feeling flat and unmotivated, resentful or seriously burnt out.
“Companies need more and more from each individual and the increased pressure takes the joy out of many types of work,” says Durban-based industrial psychologist Robyn Sandy of Interchange International SA.
According to the Gallup ‘State of the Global Workplace 2023’ report, most of the world’s employees (over 6o%) are ‘quiet quitting’ —psychologically disengaging from work and doing just the minimum required. “They may be physically present or logged into their computer, but they don’t know what to do or why it matters. They also don’t have any supportive bonds with their co-workers, boss or their organisation.”
What’s more, almost half of those surveyed (44%) said they experienced high stress. And prolonged stress is what causes burnout — chronic physical and emotional exhaustion that manifests as lack of concentration, detachment, decreased productivity, irritability and feeling overwhelmed and constantly on edge, affecting both your work and your personal life.
It’s time to reassess and fall in love with your job again! Here’s how:
Take inspiration
Visit an art gallery or museum, or read that new book everyone’s talking about. Other people’s creativity and energy can help unblock yours. “Purposefully seek out more positive activities,” advises Sandy. “Go to a comedy show or listen to inspirational podcasts or only choose uplifting movies. Cut out the negative people and shows from your life.”
Take a course
Something indulgent and purely for fun, be it baking or pole dancing, can be a carrot to pull you through a dull workday. Something that upskills you in your field — creative writing, coding, photography — can give you new focus and your workday a lift, or even lead you to a new position at your company.
Take advice
When you feel stuck at work, seek support or a mentor to encourage work enrichment, says Pretoria industrial psychologist Caro Cilliers. “The purpose of job enrichment is to make jobs more motivating by increasing meaningfulness, responsibility and knowledge of the results of a job.” She suggests checking out www.aihr. com/blog/job-enrichment/.
Take a stand
Ask yourself what you like least and most about your job. What bores/ stresses you the most? What would you like to do more of? Make a list. Then take courage, book a time to see your superior or someone in HR, and talk it through to see if your preferences can be accommodated. Leveraging your interests and strengths will be in the company’s interest, too —focus your pitch on that.
Sandy uses the three Rs to help people prioritise their work and lives:
- What is Required of me? Delegate the rest.
- What gives me the greatest Return on my time? Do this more.
- What lights my fire, stirs my passion and Rewards me? Make sure you’re spending enough time doing this. It often decreases or gets worked out of your job.”
Take initiative
Even if your boss/ HR can’t be more accommodating, take action by ordering your day. Prioritise what you enjoy best, scheduling it just after something you dislike and can’t delegate, so you have something to look forward to. And don’t forget to schedule ‘me’ time into the mix — a lunchtime workout or a stroll to a park. Or simply close your office door and escape into a great podcast.
Take a break
When your computer develops a glitch, you switch it off and reboot. That can work for you too. Take a few days off, or truly use your weekend: don’t open work emails think of work. Try to get into nature to chill, recharge and find a fresh perspective. Move your body to start those feel-good endorphins flowing. Also do that daily at work — take regular short breaks to stretch, walk, make a cup of tea or coffee.
“Most people don’t even take a lunch break nowadays,” says Sandy. “They simply eat something while working or, worse still, don’t eat at all. The research is conclusive about a proper lunch break. If you take a 30-minute break, eat something nutritious and change your environment, your productivity will be much higher, and you’ll achieve much more. This will be motivating in itself.”
Words: Glynis Horning
Photography: Pexels
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