If you’re lacking enthusiasm for your job, you’re not alone. More than 60% of employees are disengaged at work, according to a global survey by Gallup. Stress levels are also stuck at a record high, with 44% of workers feeling exhausted and burned out.
Although the reasons for stress and disengagement vary, navigating an economic recession, layoffs, instability and a stagnant pay is likely adding to the anxieties felt by workers.
So if you’re among those feeling disengaged, is there anything you can do to change the way you feel? And how can you settle into the new year with intention and a sense of purpose?
1. Work out why you’re feeling disengaged
“The good news is that we can all work on our mindset in any given situation, but the first step in my opinion is to work out whether it’s your mindset or if you’re in a situation that just doesn’t work for you,” says Rhea Freeman, a business coach, mentor and author of You’ve Got This.
“If there are issues at your workplace that make your time there difficult, you might need to make a change — whether that’s finding out how to remedy the situation or even look to move roles or companies,” she says. “Or, it could be that you’ve got yourself into a place where you feel negative for various reasons, but there’s no real evidence to support this feeling.”
Working out why you’re lacking enthusiasm — and really analysing the situation — is the first step. It could be that you’ve been in the same role for too long and you would benefit from a change. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean quitting your job. The answer could be to take on new projects or different responsibilities.
“If your work is not engaging, it’s a good opportunity to ask yourself why. Is it the work, has something changed — or is it you?” adds Freeman. “Sometimes, when there’s a lot going on in life, it’s hard to be fully engaged in everything, but it’s also hard to be engaged in something you’re not enjoying.”
2. Analyse what you want from your job
Jess West, founder of Compass Coaching and Yoga, says it’s important to think about what you actually want from your job. Some people want a challenge and variety, or meaning and purpose. But for others, this isn’t the case — they may simply want to earn money with set hours. “We all have a reason for going to work, so figure out why and then own it,” she says.
Freeman adds: “If you’re in the work to live camp, some simple changes like seeing your job as the reason you can do things you love can be useful. Changing your language can help. Rather than you 'have to' do something, think of it as ‘getting to do’ something.”
Making some changes in the way you approach work can help you to feel more in control of your time, your day, and ultimately, your job. ·Thomas Barwick via Getty Images
3. Delegate or reframe
Often, a heavy workload — and a lack of direction — can make us feel like we have no control at work. West recommends using a "triage method" to list all the routine tasks and assignments that come across your desk on a regular basis. Then, think about how you feel about each task.
“If you have something to do that you really don’t enjoy, you have two options,” says West. “Option one is to delegate. Can you work with a colleague or a team member to pass this on to someone else? Speak to your line manager and explain that you’d like to swap out this element of your workload.
“But, be prepared to take on something else in place of this, or for them to say no.”
If delegation isn’t an option, reframing the task may help. “For example, one of my clients was about to do a rotation at work that involved valuing buildings — a spreadsheet task she found boring. We realised that supporting disadvantaged people was important to her. She had the option to work on council and student accommodation, which meant that she was able to align this task with her values. It’s still the same task, but she now sees it differently.”
4. Work on self-development
Learning a new skill can give you a renewed sense of purpose and confidence. You can apply it to your job — for example, by starting a course related to your role — or take on the challenge just for yourself.
“Find out if your company offers any grants or support for further learning and take advantage of these,” says West. “Or you could learn on the job — find someone more experienced than you and ask if you can shadow them for a couple of weeks to develop your skills. As humans, we are designed to constantly evolve, so seeking out learning will help keep your brain engaged.”
A new skill may not lead to a promotion or a new career, but it can still have huge benefits. “Picking up a new hobby outside of work might just give you the fulfilment you need to reengage with the working day,” adds West.
5. Carve out time for yourself
“For many of my clients, boundaries and burnout are their biggest struggles. They find themselves in a cycle of exhaustion that feels impossible to break, but the good news is that it’s absolutely doable,” says West.
“Many women come to me saying that they find themselves stuck in meetings all day, meaning they work in the evenings and have no free time. If this is the case, we work on taking back their calendar.”
Use your calendar to block out time to do your work without distractions, and make sure meetings have a clear purpose and agenda. Set clear boundaries about when you will — and when you won’t — be available on email, Slack or Teams. When you’re on a break, be on a break.
You’ll feel more in control of your time, your day, and ultimately, your job.
