© Shutterstock

You feel overwhelmed -

Feeling overwhelmed and not knowing where to start can make us freeze. If we feel we can’t tackle a particular project, then our motivation will certainly be affected.

© Shutterstock

You’re a perfectionist -

A certain degree of perfectionism can be helpful, but too much of it can become dysfunctional. You may find that things are never good enough, and this may demotivate you to continue pursuing such a high standard.

© Shutterstock

You aren’t being challenged -

We need something to challenge and drive us. There must be a goal, and there must be a degree of difficulty or variety involved in achieving it. Even at monotonous jobs, it’s possible to introduce a challenging element. If you don’t have that, you will likely disengage.

© Shutterstock

You aren’t interested in your work -

It’s easy to become disengaged with what you’re doing if you have no interest in it. Trying to figure out why your work isn’t engaging should help you understand which direction to take (which may well be to find another job).

© Shutterstock

You don’t feel valued -

Not feeling appreciated is a motivation killer. Some people need more feedback than others, but feeling that you work means something is really important.

© Shutterstock

You aren’t being paid enough -

A salary is more than just a number. It's about being recognized for the quality of your work and your professional capabilities. If you’re not being paid enough for your work, you’ll end up losing interest in performing to the best of your ability.

© Shutterstock

You don’t believe in what you’re doing -

There must be some sort of purpose to your job. If you don’t believe in what you’re doing, you will not feel motivated to do it. You might disagree with how and why the job is done, not be aligned with the company’s values, etc. It must make sense in the first place.

© Shutterstock

You aren’t doing what you’re good at -

Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, but if you’re not using your best capabilities in your job, you might not feel like your skillset is being used to its fullest potential.

© Shutterstock

You don’t have a clear goal -

A lack of direction at work can really be demotivating. If you’re told to perform tasks without knowing the big picture is a bit like being told to run without knowing the distance.

© Shutterstock

You aren’t seeing the results you want -

It’s normal to have expectations. If you put the work in, you expect a certain result. If this never happens, then you start to question if your work was all in vain. Of course, this is not to say you shouldn’t be patient, but even patience has limits.

© Shutterstock

You don’t feel supported -

A lack of support can really get to you. And we’re not just talking about support at work. While it’s very important to have supportive managers and colleagues, it is also key to those around us to support our career choices, including friends and family.

© Shutterstock

You don't feel confident -

For one reason or another, our self-confidence sometimes takes a hit. Perhaps you feel like an impostor, that you’re not supposed to be doing the role you’ve been chosen for. Whatever has knocked your self-confidence, it’s always possible to rebuild it.

© Shutterstock

You’re too stressed out -

A certain degree of stress is desirable, but too much of it can ruin our motivation. Excessive stress can have a big impact on motivation levels.

© Shutterstock

You’re feeling burnt out -

Feeling burnt out can lead not only to a lack of motivation, but to a number of other issues, both mental and physical. Sometimes, the only way to deal with it is to stop completely, but there are a few things that can be done to avoid reaching such high levels of stress.

© Shutterstock

You struggle to focus -

This may be a symptom related to a number of conditions, but it can just be a sign that something is not quite right. If you can’t focus on your job, you surely don’t feel like doing it.

© Shutterstock

You compare yourself to others -

There is nothing wrong with a bit of competition, but constantly comparing yourself to others will only lead to disappointment. Measure your success against your own metrics, not by comparing yourself to others. Doing so will make it harder for you to get up in the morning and face yet another day where you won’t be as good as your colleague at a certain task.

© Shutterstock

There is no stability -

Change is important, and indeed useful, but too much of it can make you feel scattered and unfocused. This change can occur at work and in other areas of your life. It’s all connected.

© Shutterstock

You’re being micromanaged -

If you feel like every single move you make is being monitored and that you’re not trusted, then it’s only natural that you will feel unmotivated to work.

© Shutterstock

You have no job security -

Job security is not what it used to be, but it helps to get your role and contract defined. If you find yourself wondering if you might not have a job when you wake up the next day, then that’s why you might not feel motivated to work.

© Shutterstock

Your workplace is toxic -

Toxic workplaces manifest in many ways, including poor management, lack of opportunities, favoritism, and bullying, to name a few. All of these and more can really affect your motivation.

© Shutterstock

You’re not sleeping well -

Not getting enough sleep and poor quality sleep can really affect your motivation to work.

© Shutterstock

You’re not eating well -

Like sleep, your diet can really affect both your mental and physical health. Without proper nutrition, your motivation to work will likely go down.

© Shutterstock

You’re not exercising -

Exercising is a healthy habit that can do wonders for your health. This will reflect on your well-being and overall motivation for life, including work.

© Shutterstock

What to do when you’re not feeling it -

You may have identified one or more of the aforementioned points as reasons for your lack of motivation, so what to do? Well, there are a few coping mechanisms that can help you get through those days when you’re just not feeling it.

© Shutterstock

Break tasks down -

It’s important to break tasks down into small achievable steps. It’s a lot easier to write a paragraph than an entire chapter, right?

© Shutterstock

Be prepared -

Set up realistic goals, and schedule them as best as you can. Preparation is key for dealing with a lack of motivation.

© Shutterstock

Make work more enjoyable -

Ask yourself how you can make work more enjoyable. What would that look like? Maybe you can do things differently.

© Shutterstock

Take care of you mental and physical health -

Good sleep hygiene, eating a healthy balanced diet, and exercising, can really go a long way in how you feel and how you respond to challenges. If you’re motivated to take care of yourself, everything else will be just a little bit easier.

© Shutterstock

Rely on your support network -

Sometimes you really need to rely on your friends and family. Building relationships that will offer your support when you need it brings you stability and confidence.

© Shutterstock

Seek professional help if needed -

Sometimes we just can’t deal with certain things on our own. Seeking professional help is needed at times, and you should definitely do so if that’s the case.

Sources: (Nulab) (BetterUp)

See also: Proven strategies to boost motivation and achieve your goals

© Shutterstock