How to Rediscover Your Motivation When Working from Home

We get it. You feel lucky to have a job during the current pandemic. You recognise that you are one of the lucky ones. Not only are you employed, but you can also do your job from the comfort and the safety of your home without having to travel to the office.

And yet, you're struggling to be motivated and to log on in the morning. And your motivation, generally, has tanked in the face of the crushing weight of the coronavirus pandemic. Health fears, economic fears, societal fears... they are all mounting up.

We understand it, and yet you need to be able to work. You still need to perform in your role. So here's how to rediscover your mojo and meaning. Grab a pen, find some paper and use the time to think about some big questions.

Firstly, ask yourself how your job positions you to look after the things that matter in your life - the people in it and the things that you love to do.

Secondly, ask yourself which of your work relationships are important. Ask how these key people rely on you. If you weren't working, how would it affect them?

Thirdly, ask how your performance and effort will affect your customers.

How does the work that you do help you to grow and develop as an individual? How is it helping you to achieve your career goals?

This exercise will help you to pinpoint the real reasons why you work. Yes, we all work for money and to keep a roof over our heads, but we are all motivated by other, more meaningful drivers. Additionally, most of us operate within an ecosystem of relationships and are reliant on each other.

We work within communities, and in the current environment communities are more important than ever. You'll probably be surprised at just how much you can note down in the space of a few minutes. Don't limit yourself or edit your answers. Be honest and then review what you have written.

Keep those notes in a place where you can see them each day. Then set yourself goals to get through each day. Check in with your colleagues. Use Zoom to hear each other's voices and see each other's faces. Be the person that supports and encourages your team members, who will all be going through challenges of their own at this difficult time.

Take a look at your home routines too. If you are simply sliding out of bed in the morning before logging on, tweak your routine. Make your bed. Get up at a set time. Try doing a home workout before you log on so that you are feeling energised and ready to go. Create a playlist and share it with your team. Schedule yourself a coffee break when you have achieved some meaningful tasks. Schedule your hardest work for when your energy is highest.

These steps will all help you to feel more motivated and happy in your work.