Feeling stuck in a rut or unmotivated at work? You’re not alone!
It’s completely normal to get in a funk at work from time to time, and even to feel bored with your job. Please remember that even the most exciting careers can have their lackluster moments.
That said, if you do find yourself in a work funk, you’ll want strategies you can deploy to get out of it:
7 Ways To Quickly Snap Out Of A Funk At Work
1. Switch up your morning routine.
A good place to start when you’re in a funk at work is by optimizing your morning routine, since how you begin your day can have a ripple effect.
Your morning ritual doesn’t have to be extensive, either. You might wish to start the day by listening to your favorite podcast, watching your favorite TV show, or enjoying a nice cup of tea or coffee (raises hand).
You might also consider a morning meditation, even if it’s only for a few minutes. Meditation apps like Insight Timer and Calm make it incredibly easy to start your day off on the right track.
2. Move your body.
Another low-hanging fruit when you’re in a work funk is movement, as it can quickly boost your energy and shift your mindset. There are endless options here, like stretching your body, going for a walk, or attending a yoga or Pilates class.
Although it can be tempting, particularly with so many of us working remotely right now, to stay home, try to get out of the house for your exercise when possible, particularly if you’re in a career rut, since that small change of perspective can make a big impact.
3. Change your work environment.
Speaking of which, you may find it helpful to reflect on your current work environment and see if it’s time to switch it up, as a change of scenery can really shift your outlook.
If you telecommute, this might look like working from another room or simply rearranging your office space. If you work in person, this might look like making use of different coworking spaces.
4. Step outside your comfort zone.
Next, ask yourself if this rut at work is an opportunity to reflect on your long-term goals and step outside your comfort zone.
Might there be a big new project you can take on at work that will bring your workdays more excitement? Is there a new topic you’ve been wanting to learn about? Are you interested in researching the latest developments in AI and machine learning? There are countless opportunities to push yourself beyond your comfort zone.
5. Reward yourself.
If you’re a regular reader of my job search blog, you know I’m a proponent of rewarding yourself, and it should come as no surprise that one of my strategies for getting out of a work funk is to give myself a treat.
While everyone’s reward mechanism will look different, you could gift yourself with some uninterrupted time engaging in one of your favorite hobbies, a nap, or my personal favorite, a Starbucks run.
6. Plan a trip.
Speaking of rewards, maybe it’s time for you to plan a weekend trip. Based on personal experience, having something to look forward to on the weekend can make those less exciting work tasks far more tolerable. Each weekend, I plan my next weekend so I have a reward on the horizon.
Your trips don’t have to be extravagant either. Recently, I went on a fabulous quick day trip to Old Town Calabasas to attend a farmer’s market and eat at a new restaurant.
[Read: How To Disconnect And Enjoy Your Vacation: 6 Tips]
7. Look for a new job.
While the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, it can be helpful to explore what new opportunities are out there when you’re in a work funk.
As I’ve shared previously, “Appling for open positions doesn’t mean you’re leaving your current position, it’s simply looking out for yourself and putting your career first.”
Regardless of whether you end up staying in your current role, simply exploring alternative jobs can be incredibly empowering and remind you that you have options.
Final Thoughts On Getting Out Of Funk At Work
What other strategies would you add to this list? How else can you get out of a work funk? Oftentimes, with the right strategies in place, you can snap out of a bad mood quickly. You’ve got this!
