Defeat the Work Slump Without Quitting your Job

 It’s a confirmed fact that Americans work some of the longest hours in the world and are expected to produce at even higher rates than their foreign counterparts, all while receiving one of the lowest proportions of vacation leave. It is no wonder that many workers become burned out, frustrated, and demotivated by their jobs every now and then, even if they otherwise love what they do. Switching jobs is not always an option either, especially with the current high unemployment. But there are some things that you can do to regain some of the old feelings you’ve had for your job and help rekindle excitement for your work despite being in a work slump.

First, you have got find out what got you into the slump to begin with. Is it your personal life that is stealing your energy and inspiration? Have you experienced any other major stressors recently? If so, once you have identified the problem you can hit it straight on, work to resolve the issue, and get right back to your regular level of productivity. Otherwise, take a gander at the following tips that may help you return to form and start enjoying your job again.

Many times slumps are simply a symptom of having become too reliant on routine. In other words, you may have become complacent thanks to the repetitiveness of your daily life. The best fix for this situation is to shift your focus at work in order to disrupt your routine and hopefully get you more fired up about your job. If most of your projects have involved the same types of tasks you are probably feeling bored and unchallenged. See if you can convince your boss to let you take on some different work, perhaps some that requires you to learn a new skill and removes you from your specialty. You could also attempt to take on part of a co-worker’s job or even see if you can switch departments altogether.

Other activities, such as addiction recovery or working out, often work best when you have a buddy to help keep you motivated and hold you accountable for your successes and failures. This strategy can work equally as well on the job, especially if your performance has taken a noticeable hit and you are starting to hear about it from your colleagues and boss. A work buddy can help counter any negative comments you are hearing around the office and contribute to your continued high spirits. It’s also always nice to have someone who will listen to the occasionally rant or whine.

A work partner can also help with dissecting constructive criticism and by suggesting potential ways to best approach any troubling issues you are having at work. Keeping notes of criticism can also help motivate you by keeping you from falling back into complacency. With enough encouragement from your buddy and the motivation for improvement from criticism, you can work to make regular positive changes to your work habits and attitude.