So it’s Valentine’s Day on Sunday, many of us will be wining and dining loved ones in a different way this year but that’s not what I want to talk about. Instead I want to look at how you can re learn to love what you do. Valentines is after all the season of Love (imagine that last sentence sounded like Barry White). When you do your job it is easy to fall into patterns and lose that passion that you once had for it. So here are some ideas as to how you can rekindle that love you once had.
Do it for her
Work can be boring, stressful and a general pain in the neck (sometimes all in the same day). In those kinds of circumstances it is easy to fall out of love with what you do, even if it’s a job you once enjoyed. For many of us though we don’t have the luxury of not working since we have bills to pay or have significant others and families to support. It’s those last two that I have found to be particularly strong motivators. Knowing you’re working to provide something for your family and give them every chance for the future out of nothing but love.
Nowhere I have I seen this more exemplified than in the Season 6 episode of The Simpsons, And Maggie Makes Three, the long and the short of it Homer has to take his job at the power plant after finding out he’s going to be a dad for the third time( he had quit in spectacular style near the start). As part of his punishment Mr Burns places a plaque that says “Don’t forget you’re here forever”. Homer however takes every picture of Maggie and puts them up all over his workstation to the point the sign now says “Do it for Her”. You can check the whole scene here. If that doesn’t bring you the warm fuzzy feeling then you may want to see a doctor.
Valentines your work
I’m acutely aware of how that sounds, but that’s not what I’m suggesting. Rather it’s more that if you have the opportunity to dictate your work or staffs work try and give them tasks that they love. If you give them the stuff they love to do, it might spark that motivation for them to go on and will provide them with a new sense of purpose. As for if you do it for yourself it provides a welcome break from the onslaught and sometimes overwhelming that we face on a daily basis.
The one caveat I have to give is maybe making sure the whole day isn’t a waste. You want to be able to make sure your team have a good day and are motivated going forward. Try finding tasks that play to team member’s strengths so that the work can still get done.
Chocolate and flowers
If you can’t do either of those, then you can always buy yourself some chocolate and eat it at your desk since it releases endorphins that make you feel good. If you don’t want chocolates then buy flowers they’re nice to look at and brighten up any room. Let’s be honest at Valentines you aren’t short of choice.
Give these ideas a try and you may find that you’ll get your spark back. If you want more articles like this one then why don’t you check out our Blog page? We publish articles every week so it’s worthwhile following us on Facebook or checking back in with us regularly.
