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Where’s the Spark Gone?

“I used to love my job, I was always the first in the office and the last to leave.
But for the last two or three months I’ve felt so demotivated and I’m not sure why. It has got to the stage that on some days, so I still look busy but don’t have to sit at my desk, I’ll wander around the building for an hour or so. And believe me – I’ve got enough work to keep me going!
I don’t want to leave because I’m worried that I will be seen as a failure, but I’ve no idea what I can do to bring back the old spark. Any advice as to what I can do would be much appreciated. Thanks.”

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avatar careersurgery 11 October 2006 Career Surgery
  • Charlie

    Firstly, beware. Being first to arrive and last to leave is no real measure of motivation. It could just mean that you enjoy the office environment, which, the by the way, is A-OK and a perfectly acceptable reason for spending more time in the office than your colleagues.
    Loving your job is not necessarily the same thing. It might be that you enjoy the engagement with others; or the learning it provides you; or the appreciation of your boss and colleagues; or the recognition of being a valued individual; or a whole host of other reasons; or a combination of them all.
    It could be that you’re just tired; or that the challenge is no longer there; or perhaps you’re bored; or maybe it’s all become too easy. Human nature loves a challenge and perhaps there’s none anymore.
    Don’t be so hard on yourself. The perception of failure is nothing more than a 2-way mirror into your soul. What you might perceive as failure, others will perceive as success and vice versa.
    Make some choices about what YOU want and what’s important to you. If that’s a new challenge, then so be it; if that’s some appreciation go and seek it out. It may sound selfish, but do it for you, because you’re worth it, and in the long run it’s the best investment you’re ever likely to make.

  • Tony Blair

    Sounds like you work in the public sector!
    Perhaps move into the private sector.

  • Joe Mc

    I disagree with Mr Blair.
    I think this is a common problem with many jobs which have lost their spark. There may be no reason why this has happened. The situation may not have changed. It is worth talking to someone you trust in your work environment (if you have someone) who knows your work and has known you through the good (and bad) times.
    If you cannot put your finger on it then maybe they can. I agree with Charlie. It might be that you need to move on, but finding out the cause (if there is one) will help you whether you stay or go. Moving on as you change is not an acceptance of failure, but an acceptance that you are doing what is right for you as your needs change.
    And maybe the long hours thing was part of the cause. Take your breaks when you are supposed to. You may regain the rhythm!
    Work is usually the most personal thing to a person besides their closest relationship, and when people have problems with their relationship they seek advice. So why not with work?
    Good luck…

  • jp

    Mate, if the sparks gone there are a couple of things that you can do. Firstly, you need realise how your work benefits others around you. It’s amazing how much better it makes you feel when you know that what you are doing makes a big impact in the grand scheme of things. Secondly, do everything with a spring in your step and a smile on your face for two months. If you still feel in the doldrums two months later stop smiling and springing about and if your manager has any cop on, they will ask you what’s wrong, here’s a good chance to air your thoughts and you will have had two months to think it through. Penultimately mate, take a holiday. Do something that you really want to do. It does’nt have to be expensive or glamorous but do something that sounds like fun. A wet weekend in Bridlington in a caravan may not sound that appealing but it’s your holiday so make the most out of it. Build a camp out of cushions, throw bread on the neighbours caravans early in the morning to attract seagulls (they are supprisingly heavy footed) , re-enact the “Deer Hunter” with a cap gun and a red tea towel round youe head, what-ever. Just make sure you enjoy yourself. Finally mate, don’t consider faliure. It does’nt exist ! It’s a word given by people with no imagination or drive to people who have the guts to try someting new ! It’s a beautiful wide world out the mate, Enjoy it. Good luck !

  • shoey

    Go back to basics! What’s different now? Need a break? Go and do something for a charity, see just how lucky you are to be fit enough to hold down a job – plenty would love to be in your position! appreciate what you’ve got!

  • Phil Byrne

    It sounds to me like you need a holiday , if all else in your life is good then take a holiday do something different , if when you get back to work things are just the same then look for another job or talk to your Dr , it could be stress , good luck

  • Sharon

    It could just be that you have out-grown your job. The days when we all stayed in the same job for 40 years are long gone. The truth is, you enjoyed your job at first because it was new and interesting. Now that you know it inside out, it’s predictable and there are no surprises. Also, I’m guessing that your so good at it that it’s not a challenge. If the pays ok, try talking to your boss about taking on more responsibility. If the pays not ok and more responsiblity would just leave you feeling even more undervalued then it’s time to move on. Don’t look back! Onward and upward is the only way to go.

  • Steve

    To solve any problem you must first work out what the problem is;
    It sounds to me like one of two things:
    Either the job is no longer stretching you (And it always becomes difficult when something just becomes routine to be or feel fully motivated)
    or you are not being appreciated for what you do (Sometimes a little praise from your line manager goes a long way), you maybe need to come in late a few times, leave early/on time, take the odd day off sick, you sometimes find not being there makes people appreciate you and the work you do a whole lot more. Good Luck !

  • SDhillon

    I feel that you are probably bored in your job. There is nothing wrong with this, it is perfectly natural to feel like you do. I think it is time for you to consider a change of career. Perhaps nursing? as i feel you need something a bit more challenging.
    Good Luck and do not be afradid of the change instead embrace it. :)

  • JD

    Are you procrastinating over something? Is there a project that you’re avoiding through fear of failure (or fear of success!) or through boredom? Are you wandering the corridors to avoid facing this project or finding other work to keep this project at bay for a little longer? Such avoidance can wipe your motivation.
    If that’s the case, then just do something to get the project started. Review what needs to be done for the project and break it down into managable steps and write them down. If you’re still avoiding it, then break the steps into even smaller steps and write them down. Include silly things like, ‘open file’, ‘search for widgets on Internet’, ‘get phone number for Mr Abc’, ‘Ask Mrs Abc how to…’. You’ll soon find that one step leads to another and ‘hey, it’ll only take another couple of minutes to complete step XYZ’.
    If you’re still avoiding the project, then make a deal with yourself to complete just one step every day. Make it the first thing you do every day – before you check your email and get caught up in other work! It’ll take longer, but at least you’ll be picking away at it piece by piece. After a while, you’ll see how far you’ve come and what you’ve achieved and your motivation will return.

  • Vincent

    There have been several good comments already offered, and here is one more:
    You seem to feel folks at work have let you down, maybe because you value so much their opinion of you (?) 2 problems with this:
    1) Long term happiness is not determined by what we do but by who we are: values, priorities, relationships, etc.
    2) People no matter how nice will always let you down one way or another; nothing bad with this except people (or anything else for that matter) can never replace someone who will always love you for who you are, and will never let you down: God
    Give it a try,
    God bless

  • Richard

    Sounds Like you have forgotten Why you love your Job, if Your main job function hasn’t changed from When you Loved your job, then focuss on that one thing, that you love, If it has changed – then your not doing the same job, and maybe it’s time for a change – maybe back to what you love – It’s only a failure if YOU think so , no other opinions matter

  • Nigel

    Well if your wandering around then you ‘re trying too avoid doing your work. Ask yourself do i really enjoy my work. Since nobody is listening you can be totally honest with yourself.
    Try making a list of what you like and dislike about your job. This can tell you what needs changing.

  • shane

    i have always found the unhappy day is the boring day. when our minds are active we enjoy ourselves more but from the sounds of things the job has become repetitive and you need to make it more interesting explain this to your boss/supervisor

  • Christine

    How long have you been in this job? Over a year? Then the above comments may be right, you may have reached boredom because you are no longer streached or challenged.
    I know that at this time of year, when the clocks have gone back and there is no real daylight during working hours I become very lethargic and tired. Family joke – she is preparing to hibernate!
    I have installed daylight bulbs in my main rooms at home, they have made a difference, I am much more relaxed and willing to work. Any chance you could have a desk light with a daylight bulb?

  • Steve Yap

    Dear Amy
    Challenges are the charateristics of hard working and forward looking people. When you have done a job for too long the challenges disappear and it becomes a routine and there is nothing else to learn as everything is at your finger tips. If your organisation cannot provide something more challenging then I think is time to move on. Do be afraid to be seen as a failure. After all it is just someone’s opinion and I am sure when you leave there will be other people to do the job.
    Wishing you the very best in finding new challenges.

  • Amy

    Hi Everyone,
    Thanks for all the advice.
    I had a chat with my manager and I’m starting to get a few new and more challenging tasks.
    The spark is starting to come back!
    x

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