How do you find motivation at work?

[MayorOfAmerica]

Indy, I think we're on the same page, I hear you loud and clear as well. For me you're right, a paycheck isn't the end all. I need to take pride in what I do again. I think I'm going to take chustekza's advice and do it the way it should be done the first time.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

If you're bored at work, you're slacking off. There's always SOMETHING that needs doing...even if it's just "busy work."

Pffft. "Busy work" is what causes boredom.

 

[aceO07]

OP, I felt in a rut too before I changed jobs. I just decided I needed a change and started looking at job listing daily. Over the course of a few months I selected a few postings matching to my experience and skills, sent resumes, went on interviews and accepted a job that I felt would be a good fit.

My rut more about me feeling like I was no longer advancing my skills and I needed change. I didn't want to get stale even if I could get away of very very flexible schedule and over 5 weeks of vacation.

The best thing I did was to stretch out my search over a few months so that I could be more picky about where I applied. I applied to a handful of places and got interviews to all except one.

 

[Hacp]

Go on vacation, go wild for a week. When you come back, avoid all distractions and you'll find you will enjoy your work more.

 

[Franz316]

To the OP, that sounds like a miserable, oppressively dull work environment. I would start looking for something that you're passionate about asap. Try and put things into perspective; your life is very short so why put up with shit you hate for a long period of time? It just isn't worth it.

I think many people feel trapped by their jobs right now and fear not being able to find a new one. It is a legitimate concern but it comes down to making the decision between living miserably doing dull, monotonous, tasks or feeling passionate about what you are doing. Even if it means making less money, you can learn to live with less while being in a much better state of mind.

Take a chance and look elsewhere, you'll probably feel invigorated after you free yourself.

 

[BoomerD]

Pffft. "Busy work" is what causes boredom.

Nah, busy work is what you do when all your "real" work is done...to stave off boredom.
IMO, there's not much worse than sitting around, twiddling your thumbs because all your work is done. Makes for a VERY long day.

 

[purbeast0]

i enjoy what i do at my job, however i'm looking for a new one. it's not really because i'm not enjoying my work, it's because of the management and who i work with. i can't really work with incompetent people anymore.

additionally, i am not learning new tech at my job, and the new job i'm most likely taking, i'm going to be learning A LOT more and using tons and tons of cutting edge technology and things i've never done before. it should be extremely interesting and rewarding work.

additionally, the benefits + salary is insanely good.

i'm doing software development fwiw.

EDIT:

i also think software development is extremely rewarding and you are constantly working on new projects, so there is a lot of change. it's not just the same old thing every day for the entire year. sometimes i think of the people who have their whole day laid out at their job, like every 10am the do the same thing, every 11am the same thing, etc.

 

[SandEagle]

You either have to accept that things are what they are or change jobs.
But leave the work at work. Don't let it bleed over into your personal life. When you leave work, stop let out a breath and tell yourself that work is over till tomorrow.

are you on crack? lately you've been contributing positively to threads without snarky comments or unnecessary drama. i'm scurred, hold me.

 

[olds]

are you on crack? lately you've been contributing positively to threads without snarky comments or unnecessary drama. i'm scurred, hold me.

Maybe you're finally learning to read?

 

[SaDiZTiKStyLeZ]

Work has been dead all day. So I'm doing something I actually enjoy. Video game stuff.

Sucking at playing video games is the only thing I probably don't suck at.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Just4TheFunkOfIt

 

[Connoisseur]

Start looking for a new job or make a change in your personal life (get a hobby, travel etc.) Funny this thread came up because I was going through exactly the same thing the past few months and am now accepting a position at a new company. It'll be more work and more travel most likely but at least the work sounds interesting. One of the pluses to looking for a new job while in a stable current one is that you can really shop around and get the kind of money you want. Worst case scenario, you're no worse off for it.

 

[Geekbabe]

Thanks for the replies so far. I wish I could combine the nature of the work from my last job (really out-there R&D) with the the security and paycheck from this one. I have a family to support and since this employer is so secure and the money is good, I'm a little hesitant to change jobs, especially given the state of the american economy. I think it boils down to being bored and all the other things I mentioned simply compound the problem.

Understand that the price of security & stability frequently involves boring work, unrealistic schedules etc. Continue to develop your side business, only taking on projects that truly interest you. Let your side work give you the uplifting you need to get you through your day job.

 

[akahoovy]

Oh I'm totally there Mayor, I have a crazy couple for bosses and management. My problem is is that my learning curve at this company has leveled out. I was supposed to go on to learn a few new skills there, but that won't be happening now. They've decided they like me where I'm at, no more, no less. I think I will be breaking out soon, maybe something drastic. I have to change up my life.

I feel at some point in time I went off the path I wanted, found a different path of lesser resistance. I was doing a bachelor's of cs, couldn't get help to pass the math classes, the computer science department had numerous wash out classes... My parents told me to become a teacher and I knew I didn't want that, so I went to do a BFA and focused on film and animation. Now I work at a tv production studio. I'm thinking about getting some letters of recommendation and joining the Air Force as an officer. I want to be a pilot, and I can't think of a better way to go.

 

[purbeast0]

Understand that the price of security & stability frequently involves boring work, unrealistic schedules etc. Continue to develop your side business, only taking on projects that truly interest you. Let your side work give you the uplifting you need to get you through your day job.

not sure if you think the bold is commonplace or not, but i've never had that experience personally in my career yet.

unrealistic schedules are simply the result of shitty management and project planning. i'm going through it right now, but none of the developers are working any extra hours or anything. they totally undercut our estimates we gave, and we've told them so many times it was not a good idea, yet they still didn't listen.

so whatever, f em. they need us much more than we need them. and they are going to be screwed when all of the key people leave.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

not sure if you think the bold is commonplace or not, but i've never had that experience personally in my career yet.

unrealistic schedules are simply the result of shitty management and project planning. i'm going through it right now, but none of the developers are working any extra hours or anything. they totally undercut our estimates we gave, and we've told them so many times it was not a good idea, yet they still didn't listen.

so whatever, f em. they need us much more than we need them. and they are going to be screwed when all of the key people leave.

Geekbabe is right. You are assuming performance or problem solving is the defining goal of the company you are working for. The vast majority of companies out there like to talk as if that's true but, the reality is about finding a way to twist the results so that everyone still gets their quarterly bonuses. You may be in a favorable work situation for your particular skill set but, the company simply doesn't care whether you (and everyone else) stay or leave.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

. The vast majority of companies out there like to talk as if that's true but, the reality is about finding a way to twist the results so that executives still get their quarterly bonuses.

FTFY

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

FTFY

That is indeed what I meant by "everyone."

 

[SirStev0]

there is no try only do.

 

[purbeast0]

Geekbabe is right. You are assuming performance or problem solving is the defining goal of the company you are working for. The vast majority of companies out there like to talk as if that's true but, the reality is about finding a way to twist the results so that everyone still gets their quarterly bonuses. You may be in a favorable work situation for your particular skill set but, the company simply doesn't care whether you (and everyone else) stay or leave.

if that is common, then i'm extremely glad i have never worked in a place like that.

and i can tell you the current position i'm in now, they are going to be begging me not to leave when i give my two weeks notice. they will care BIG time about certain people staying or leaving.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

if that is common, then i'm extremely glad i have never worked in a place like that.

and i can tell you the current position i'm in now, they are going to be begging me not to leave when i give my two weeks notice. they will care BIG time about certain people staying or leaving.

They will throw money, etc. at you to get you to stay and then hire a replacement and have you train them. That's what most companies do.

As for me, well, I just don't care about IT anymore and am burned out but I don't know what to do. We're interviewing new CIO candidates now (I report to the CIO) and the entire time, I'm thinking to myself that if I am going to get stuck with a new boss, maybe I should look elsewhere. Unfortunately it would still be in IT though, so it would only be a short-term fix.

 

[purbeast0]

They will throw money, etc. at you to get you to stay and then hire a replacement and have you train them. That's what most companies do.

no, they won't. code knowledge and knowledge of a system that you've been on for 3+ years (and only 2 other people have been here longer) is invaluable to this company, especially with all the money on the line for the contract. there is just no realistic way someone can come on and "be as good as I am" (or the other 2 people for that matter) in a short amount of time. it would take at least a year or even more, and by that time, all 3 of us would know even more than the new person.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

no, they won't. code knowledge and knowledge of a system that you've been on for 3+ years (and only 2 other people have been here longer) is invaluable to this company, especially with all the money on the line for the contract. there is just no realistic way someone can come on and "be as good as I am" (or the other 2 people for that matter) in a short amount of time. it would take at least a year or even more, and by that time, all 3 of us would know even more than the new person.

Yes, but you have to remember, ego trumps logic for many executives. All I'm saying is, be careful. Many executives who feel trapped by subordinates will get back at that subordinate eventually.

Never make the mistake of thinking you can't be replaced. At my last position, there was a guy who said similar things (they can't get rid of me with all of my applications that only I know, they're screwed if I leave, people will scream, etc) and when he resigned, management didn't bat an eye and let him walk right out without even a second thought.

No one is saying that this guy (or you) weren't/aren't the best person for the particular job, BUT with the egos involved, many executives will spend tons of money to resource the position when someone leaves just so they can feel they "won."