No motivation

Barelyworking

Hi everyone. Long time poster, going anon, etc etc.

I really don't know how to put this down so forgive me if this gets rambly. I am also fully aware that I am about to sound like a spoilt brat.

Mid 30s, working full time since I graduated university. I have had 3 jobs in that time. Each time I moved, it has been for a more senior role. In each job I have had, I have worked hard. Always got positive feedback from mgmt and colleagues and I had a real sense of duty to my employer, customers and colleagues. In fact, my only real source of annoyance in work used to be lazy colleagues.

Last year, I moved to my current position. It was a move I had wanted to make for awhile so was delighted when I got the job!

Here's where it gets weird. I now have zero motivation. I show up and coast through the day. I have become that lazy colleague that I used to hate! I do the bare minimum each day and waste hours day dreaming, going for tea, on the internet. I do just enough to get absolute necessary stuff complete and then mentally clock out. What's weird is this attitude is really getting me down. I now dread work. I hate not being the "go to" person. I hate coming home and feeling like I have done about half a days work. I have a pep talk with myself most nights, think about how lucky I am to have a job, how I cannot afford to loose it, how much it annoyed me when old colleagues behaved like this. Then go into work the next day and behave the same way.

I had my annual reviw a few weeks ago and I honestly walked in thinking, this is it, I'm rumbled and am going to get slated. I was genuinely shocked that the feedback was positive. In my defence, I have gotten anything delegated to me complete but I know, hand on heart, that I could be doing a lot more!

I'm not sure if I am looking for advice or just a kick up the arse and a reminder that I am lucky to have a good job!

Has anyone else experienced this? Am I having some sort of career or mid life (ish) crisis?

Turtwig

If I asked you do you expect to be happy every day at work what would your answer be? Motivation is the same. Sometimes it will be less than others. It's if you plateau and become apathetic that it may signal an issue. Do you actually like your job?

Be aware that you might be much better at your job than you think. So many people think they are stealing a living. Fraudsters about to be discovered at any instant. The reality is they just don't appreciate how competent they are.

Be less harsh on yourself, find something you have interest in improving and the motivation will come back. In interim don't beat yourself up for not having it.

whiskeyman

Would you think about doing a night course or something to channel your motivation on?
This will keep you busy and you mightn't focus on your work as much.
It may simply that you've found a comfort zone in work and your suffering from a bit of imposter syndrome.

Laurali

yup, Advice I was given by a mentor before was plain and simple:

If you are not uncomfortable, you are in the wrong job...

Sounds like you aren't been challenged enough if you are doing the bare minimum and still getting the work done.

Upforthematch

Depending on how much ambition you have you might be in the wrong job. If you have work ambitions go after them.

If you have life ambitions like family or further study do something about it while you have a handy number.

Sounds like your conscience is telling you that you are being wasteful with your opportunity. Choice is yours....

Barelyworking

Thank you all for the replies.

I have thought a lot about them. A number of things have resonated with me, namely the imposter syndrome and potential lack of ambition.

I guess I felt this job was going to be a big step up and a real challenge. When it went smoothly, I kept thinking it was all to good to be true. With that in mind, the lack of challenge theory makes sense.

I'm going to keep going, look into further education and speak to my manager about taking on a bit more.