There are just those days at work that you might have heard someone telling you “I’m just not feeling it”. Or you are not feeling it too. The same sentence comes in different variations, but essentially that “it” is missing. Here's four quick ways to re-frame that mindset to ignite the feeling of giving your best work.
There's so much shit? "I’m hired to solve for shit, I’m hired for my thoughts and skills. I’ll focus on implementing a solution so that we don’t encounter the same shit anymore."
“I’m not learning anything new”
“There’s so much shit to this project that I am not feeling motivated”
“Ï’m not sure if this is what I want to do”
What exactly is motivation?
Motivation is on par with the same butterflies fluttering in your stomach when you go on those first dates with your girlfriend or boyfriend. And the equivalent in relationship is “I’m not feeling the sparks anymore”.
But for those who have been in successful long term relationships, you know that at some point, you won’t wake up everyday with butterflies. It’s a fact and it’s normal. Your relationship would evolve into a different stage. You’ve gotten to know your partner better. After overcoming multiple obstacles together, what you have built is trust and understanding.
So do you have to feel motivated everyday?
There are days I have that feeling, there are days I don’t. It’s just being human. I’ve got good hair day, and I’ve got bad hair day.
But instead of chasing (A), focus on (B):
(A): I’m just not feeling it
(B): I’ll focus at being the best performing person in my role
(A): I’m not learning anything new
(B): I’ll make a list of things I still have gaps on - either on technical knowledge or feedback from my manager and I’d make a point to improve 1% everyday. I can set clear goals and milestones for myself.
(A): There’s so much shit to this project that I don’t feel motivated
(B): I’m hired to solve for shit, I’m hired for my thoughts and skills. I’ll focus on implementing a solution so that we don’t encounter the same shit anymore. Even if I don’t know how, I will learn from the experience.
(A): I’m not sure if this is what I want to do
(B): As long as I am hired into this role, I have a responsibility to the company to deliver. I have a responsibility to myself that I will constantly expand my comfort zone. I’ll first focus on what I can control - being discipline and delivering results. Along the way, I will understand my own strengths and weaknesses. That way, I know what I thrive at and what I absolutely dislike.
Focus on the (B) mindset for next 90 days. Write it down in your notebook. It will inspire you, it will help you learn something new.