It's time, time to go back to work. The presents are all unwrapped and the dead Christmas trees line the curbs, looking like carcasses. Luckily, for some of us, the winter storm has delayed the inevitable thanks to a weather reprieve.
So what's really going on here? Do we look around and wonder about our motivation or the way we're working? Is this feeling of dread just a natural state after the euphoria of the holidays? Research over the past 3 years suggests that January 6th (the date most of us return from the holiday) is actually the most depressing day of the year.
Getting Our Work Mojo Back
Some of us may naturally look forward to the dawning of the new day at work, while others may drag themselves back in wondering about their commitment and their engagement levels. So what will help you get your work mojo back? Try action planning with these steps:
- Be Kind to Yourself - Go to bed earlier, take time to exercise before work and meditate 10 minutes in the morning prior to work. Set your alarm to get up at a reasonable time and don't continuously hit the snooze button!
- Take Stock of Your Work - What do you like about the work you do? Take time to find 3 things you can say are positive about your work. Remind yourself why you first decided to work at this organization.
- If you can't find 3 positive things about your job, vow to change
things - Consider leaving or talking with your boss/peers about a way to increase your commitment to the job. Gauge the level of support from your boss/peers and be willing to do your part to make things better. If you decide that you do want to leave, make sure you have a plan in place to land your next job or even start your own business. - Find a way to help others succeed at work - Be the one who raises the morale of the whole department or team. Assisting others with achieving their goals has a residual impact on ourselves and our moods. Look for what others are really good at and help them do more with their strengths.
- Finally, look for a way to connect the work you do with the enterprise mission, vision and values. When we see how important our contributions are in the grand scheme of the company's overall performance, we feel better about how we impact the bottom line.
