Not motivated to work: Midlife solutions

Are you over 40 and finding it challenging to stay motivated at work?

You're not alone.

According to McKinsey's Great Attrition Survey 44% of people aged 45 to 60 are reassessing their careers post-pandemic in search of more meaningful or flexible work.

And, 47% of workers aged 45 to 54 report experiencing burnout, especially those in high-responsibility roles (Gallup, 2021).

Not motivated to work - So what's going on?

You look around the office and see others who seem genuinely excited about their work. They arrive early, looking energised and passionate about their jobs.

Not you.

Each day feels like a struggle.
”Is there something wrong with me?” You ask.

Perhaps you no longer see the purpose in your job. Maybe a good salary isn't enough to motivate you, despite family obligations. You might feel a lack of meaning—no longer wanting to exist just to enrich shareholders. Or you feel out of place and believe your strengths lie elsewhere.

How did so much of your working life pass so quickly? More than half your career is behind you, yet the next 10 to 15 years feel like an eternity. 

Will this be your reality moving forward, or can you overcome being not motivated to work?

The good news is, there is a way to regain motivation! 

But it will require some effort.

Recognise and Accept that You Need A Change

The first step is recognising that you need a change. Accepting that something fundamental is not working for you at the moment.

Deep down, you know this to be true. You've spent enough time trying to power through and force yourself to work harder.

A great question to ask if you are ready for change is:

"When I retire and look back, will I regret staying in a job that made me miserable?"

Another good area to step back and reflect on is:

“Am I ignoring my intuition?” 

Often, our intuitions can get suppressed or ignored, and we let our thinking or “rational brain” dominate. Ask yourself:

“What does my gut tell me about what needs to happen next?”

After accepting this, how can you get clarity on the way forward?

Start by taking a step back and reassess who you are and what's most important to you. 

Becoming clear on your natural strengths, needs and values will remove some of the fog.

Some questions that can help identify your natural strengths are:

“What tasks do I love doing?”

“What activities can I get lost in and lose track of time?”

“What could I spend five hours a day doing for the next five years and not get bored?”

Once these natural strengths are identified, ask yourself how much time you currently spend using them. This can be quite a sobering exercise!

Reflect on: “What are my core needs?” - These are the things where I won’t feel fulfilled without them. 

For example, do I need a lot of certainty in order to feel comfortable? Or, do I need to be constantly learning and out of my comfort zone? Do I need to feel like I am respected and looked up to? Or, do I need to feel like I am making a difference?

If our needs are not being met, it is going to be very hard to be happy. It might even be the main cause of us not being motivated to work. 

For values, it can be very insightful to reflect on whether our values have changed over the past 5-10 years. Ask yourself: “Are my values now in conflict with my current work environment?”

Thinking about our values can sound wishy-washy. But these are the things that we attach value and importance to - so they are often a crucial piece of the puzzle and are very real.

Working in a space where our values are in conflict can be very demotivating over time.

How big a change is needed to become motivated again?

Then, consider what the self reflection means for your next career move.

Is it a small change, such as needing a new boss or a different work culture?

A medium change, like moving to a different but related role?

Or perhaps a more fundamental shift?

A big change can seem scary.

But the reality is that it can also be liberating and exciting. Living life again rather than being stuck in a rut.

You do need to be mindful of what is feasible and practical.

But have you thoroughly examined your options?

Are many of the barriers spinning in your head actually untested beliefs and fears?

Getting in shape for the path ahead

Sometimes there can be an underlying barrier that we need to work on that is stopping us from moving forward and taking action. Ask yourself:

“Am I ready for the challenges involved in making a change? 

Or do I first need to work on my beliefs, fears, and resilience?”

Common underlying barriers are limiting beliefs, pessimism, resistance to putting ourselves first, confidence, or being too busy. Sometimes, these are the real things that are holding us back in life.

Making it happen

There is a way forward - but it will take effort. 

It might mean having to temporarily set aside any fears. 

It will definitely require taking brave actions. 

But it is possible.

Imagine how much better life will feel when we get there.

Would you like support to understand the best way forward?
Then let’s have a chat.

Book your free Discovery Call here….
https://cal.com/timstorriecoaching-gmail.com/schedule-an-initial-consultation

Author: Tim Storrie

-------------- About the Author: Tim Storrie

I'm an ICF-accredited career coach with an Oxbridge education, an MBA and a corporate background.

Drawing from my own mid-life experience of burnout and transition to a more fulfilling career - I help men over 40 with symptoms of burnout, and who are feeling lost and frustrated, to find a career that excites them by gaining clarity.

My coaching approach is both nurturing and challenging, and combines a structured, exercise-based approach with a focus on getting to the underlying heart of the matter.

Would you like to understand how career coaching can help you get clarity on a more fulfilling future?

Book a free discovery call at:

https://cal.com/timstorriecoaching-gmail.com/schedule-an-initial-consultation