Five Ways to Fall Back in Love with Your Job
Being in love adds that extra pep to your step, puts an uncontrollable smile on your face, and makes every day just a little brighter. Remember when you used to feel that way about your career? The challenges were invigorating and you found it hard to tear yourself away at the end of the day. Now, you’re counting down the days ‘til Friday…even on Monday.
Face it, the thrill is gone.
When you lose your passion for your work, it’s difficult to give the best of yourself. Because you’re sotalented, people may not even recognize that you’re half-stepping. But sooner or later it’ll catch up with you – either in your decreasing results, or in your increasing resentment for the time, energy and sacrifices given to a job that you’re not committed to.
If you’re feeling like your career relationship is on the rocks, here are five tips to rekindle your passion:
Take a trip down memory lane. When was the last time you felt good about your job? What elements existed then that aren’t in place today? Maybe it was the excitement of learning something new, or a sense of personal accomplishment. How can you get that back? Challenging yourself to set bigger goals or boning up on the latest practices in your field may reignite the pilot.
Connect your passion to your profession. Do you love working with young people? Volunteer to speak at career days or judge science fairs on behalf of the company. Could you easily spend half the day on Facebook? Help your not-so-savvy co-workers use social media to build better relationships with customers. It may not be in your job description, but as long as you continue to meet the expectations of your role, your additional skills could add value to the company while allowing you to do what you love.
Go take a hike! As often as possible, get away from your work space for lunch and even walk to the bathroom further away to give yourself a little respite from the computer screen and back-to-back conference calls. You’ll be more refreshed for your daily tasks and the day won’t seem to drag on.
Create an inspiring environment. You’d be surprised how much joy you can get from a great piece of art, a quality pen or a blinged-out stapler! Just as a beautiful bedroom supports a good night’s sleep, a neat, attractive workspace will make your day more peaceful and productive.
Stay connected to your purpose. What’s the real impact of the work you do? You’re not just a mid-level manager churning out PowerPoint presentations and performance reviews. Why is your company in business? How is the world better because it exists? Recognize how vital your role is, and if you’re not happy with your level of contribution, look for ways to use your natural gifts and talents to step it up. And if you find there’s no way back to a happy place, I can help you plan for your next move.
Getting stuck in a rut or feeling like you’ve lost yourself can bring challenges to any relationship. Keep the sparks flying in your career by challenging yourself in ways that make your feel good, carve out a little “me time” when possible, and build an atmosphere where your love for your work can flourish. Sure, there will be days when office politics or unyielding clients make you question whether it’s worth it. But when you remember why you fell in love with your career and reconnect to that passion, every day can feel like Valentine’s Day.
