8 Ways to Get Over the Work Slump

1. It’s not uncommon to lose motivation to keep on churning out the goods at work. For me, it doesn’t matter how busy I am, I have my days when I am absolutely unmotivated to do anything. I know I have deadlines and I see the phone ringing and emails pinging me for stuff, but there are times when I just want to push things back and sort of dwell in my unmotivated-ness. Feel me?
   
   In my opinion, there are two groups of folks who experience a regular lack of motivation: (1) those that may enjoy their job, but believe there is something better out there for them, and (2) those that may truly be content with their job, but experience the slump anyways. I’ve experienced both and either way it’s usually the same feeling and results in the same thing (i.e. inability to churn out the goods).

   Here are things that I do for getting over the slump at work:

   1. Recognize that what you are experiencing is a slump so that you can start tackling the slump head-on.

   2. Group your deliverables into different categories. I group mine into 2 large chunks: (1) deliverables related to specific projects usually with a firm deadline; (2) projects that are higher level and impact your group/organization/business and not necessarily tied to a particular project. When I hit a slump, I change up my priorities. I’ll shift my focus from the first chunk of stuff to the second.

   3. Try and get your hard deadlines pushed back. I know, I know… not cool, but I do it anyway if possible. I would rather deliver something good, than something half assed. I schedule meetings to discuss the deliverable with the internal or external customer and reset the deadline at that meeting.

   4. Surf the web for jobs and apply to one or two that you like. Even if you aren’t seriously looking, it helps. It’s almost like a mind trick. You know that there are other jobs out there that you are qualified for.

   5. Let it out. It helps when you can talk about it with your co-workers. Luckily, I have a handful of people that I get along very well with at work and it does help to just complain about stuff over lunch. 9 times out of 10 they are going through the same thing as you and it helps. If you don’t want to share with your co-workers, then share with your friends/family. It does help to let it out.
   
   6. Slightly related but not really to #5 is this… Find someone to compliment and lift you up. I think it helps when people tell you how awesome and amazing you are. It doesn’t matter if it’s true or not, there are times when I just need to hear how much of a rock star I am. I have my hubby and my sister who knows to do this and it helps.

   7. Eat well and snack even better.

   8. Force yourself to exercise... 30 minutes of running or elliptical or whatever that will make you sweat and keep your heart rate up for a sustained period of time. This is my least favorite and I have a subset of motivation tips just to do this one… but it does help get you out of the slump. I take baby steps. First, just get myself to the gym. I have to entice myself to get there by allowing myself buy a trashy magazine that I’d never buy. Second, persuade myself to do just 15 minutes and just focus on reading the magazine. Next thing you know, 15 minutes have already passed while I’ve been catching up on the latest gossip about some crazy celebrity. I cover up the time so that I’m not constantly looking at it and agree to stop once I’ve gone through the magazine… usually I end up working out for 30 minutes. I am not a fan of working out.

   Hope this helps you get through your work slump! Please share your tips and advice too!

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   cat
   

   Reputation:45

   Posted 6 months ago

   
   

2. some great tips here. i find that a lot of people are on edge these days ... recession, craziness during holidays ... and i think it has a lot to do with it as well, who knows. my job is really deadlines after deadlines after deadlines. i love it. a job ends and i get to move on to the next thing. and i love what i do but lately, people are pissing me off. they are quick and snappy and i probably am too. but i think i also realize that i can't go a 100mph trying to be 100% with my game 100% of the time. sometimes it's only 80% i give and call it a day. a deep-tissue massage doesn't hurt either :)

   
   

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   jen
   

   Reputation:4

   Posted 6 months ago

   
   

3. Deep tissue massage will zap me out of a slump

   
   

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   cat
   

   Reputation:45

   Posted 6 months ago

   
   

4. Deep tissue massage can be painful! I had one the other day, and the woman said my back was one giant knot. Was in pain for a few days, but after that it started feeling better.

   
   

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   howtogeek
   

   Reputation:175

   Posted 6 months ago

   
   

5. Good tips, but it's still very hard when you know you're going to quit in a few months!! Add to that the fact that you don't like the job much and you got yourself a big slump!! ;)

   
   

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   akishore
   

   Reputation:50

   Posted 6 months ago

   
   

6. That does change things a tad... I'm assuming you are leaving for a new gig? Congrats!! Just try not to get fired in the meantime :-)

   
   

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   cat
   

   Reputation:45

   Posted 6 months ago

   
   

7. Good tips, Lately i find myself less motivated at work. Will try some of your ideas. ;)

   
   

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   bubs353
   

   Reputation:10

   Posted 6 months ago

   
   

8. I like to take a power nap. That always recharges me.

   
   

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   evgy
   

   Reputation:3

   Posted 6 months ago

   
   

9. Burn a day of vacation (or a week in my case) even if you don't have many to burn and don't schedule anything or tell any friends about it. I good day on the couch of just relaxing is a great way to "recharge" for me.

   
   

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   tedblock
   

   Reputation:3

   Posted 6 months ago

   
   

10. This article really helped me in this area:

    http://lifedev.net/2008/03/10-ways-historys-finest-kept-focused-at-work/

    
    

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    Hal-Warfield
    

    Reputation:1

    Posted 6 months ago

    
    

11. nice tips! :) These will help me a lot!

    I think I have this cycle..at one point, I am so productive and very motivated but at certain times, I just wanna slump all day and don't want to do anything even though I know that I have to get a lot of things done. Will try out these tips when I reach that point again.. :)

    Thanks!

    
    

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    chynnezer
    

    Reputation:1

    Posted 6 months ago