Coping With A Drop In Motivation At Work

As I write this article, it is midday on a Wednesday. It is exactly halfway through my working week and I already feel mentally exhausted. I really love my work but I have realised that I seem to be more motivated at different times during the week and a Wednesday is not one of them. After researching this phenomenon, I have discovered that I am not the only one experiencing this. In fact, many people have experienced a midweek dip in their motivation within the workplace when perhaps the weekend break seems far away and their pressing workload seems insurmountable. However, by understanding and addressing the days and times when motivation tends to drop and your productivity is negatively impacted, it can significantly help to get you back into being the dynamic and dedicated professional that you are. Of course, I appreciate that many people work shifts including weekends so with this in mind, the article is more geared towards the traditional office hours of working Monday to Friday between the hours of 9 - 5.

The first day of the working week, Mondays, usually starts with a burst of energy and a feeling of positivity towards your workload for the rest of the week. You’ll probably feel full of new ideas and be eager to start on your tasks and projects. However, as the day progresses, there may be a tendency to view the remainder of the days with doom and gloom. You can combat this by breaking down your tasks into more manageable goals which will give you a sense of accomplishment which in turn provides you with the motivation you need to tackle larger challenges.

Tuesday is often referred to as the second Monday. The initial enthusiasm of yesterday has disappeared and the weekend is too far away to get excited about. Try to break up the monotony with anything that provides a mental boost to you in the workplace. Even a change of the usual scenery at lunch time or treating yourself to a special coffee during break times can stimulate you enough so you feel able to get through the day effortlessly.

Wednesday is the middle of the week and while you have got this far, you realise that you are only halfway through. It is usually now that the biggest slump in motivation will be apparent. Therefore, Wednesday is an ideal time to schedule meetings with others or tasks that you find engaging which will contribute to breaking the day up.

By Thursday you know that you have almost reached the end of the week. Hopefully most of your major or more taxing tasks that require added concentration have been completed earlier in the week so you can enjoy a smoother transition towards Friday.

Contrary to popular belief, motivation can diminish on a Friday as fatigue sets in. However, people’s mood is often lighter on this day with the spirits of the workforce raised in anticipation of two days off and the satisfaction that you have completed a full week of hard work. This brings a unique and uplifting feeling as the working week draws to a close. You will feel a sense of accomplishment, knowing that your deadlines and tasks have been met and tasks completed. Friday not only signifies the conclusion of the workweek but also a rewarding pause to recharge and embrace the freedom of the upcoming weekend.