Sometimes it’s difficult to be motivated for work. No matter how much I enjoy my job, there are some days where I’m just too exhausted to feel any impetus to wake up and go into hospital. More recently, I’ve been feeling like this a lot more frequently, having had what feels like a non-stop run of on-call shifts interspersed with a relatively heavy extra-curricular workload.
I don’t think I’m alone in this either. Lacking motivation for work isn’t particularly uncommon, I imagine, despite the brash display of “MY LIFE IS LITERALLY THE BEST” plastered all over social media. I guess the key, however, is knowing how to boost oneself out of this slump. Over the last year or so, I’ve had to work hard to maintain an adequate level of motivation to push through the exhaustion and prevent myself from burnout. Fortunately, I have managed to stave off “hitting the wall”, however, it’s taken a real conscious effort to make the small things count. And so, over time, I’ve found a few small but impactful things that really help me feel a bit more positive about the day ahead.
1. Wear something that makes you feel good.
This is insanely important. For me, what I wear can literally translate into how I feel. If I’m sat at home dressed in a suit, I feel super formal and just can’t relax. Contrastingly, if I was to wear loungewear at a meeting at work, I just wouldn’t feel mentally switched on enough. These examples are purposely elaborate to demonstrate my point, but the context still stands.
This point really hit home after a run of (you guessed it…drum roll..) night shifts, during which I had been dressed in scrubs the entire time and worn gym/loungewear to work and back. I found that my mindset had slipped and I just felt generally lousy, not just because of the post-on-call lethargy. I needed a boost, to feel as though I was going to work with deliberation and purpose. I imagined the commuters, making their way into the city, slick, charismatic images of polished success. Why couldn’t I feel the same way?
So, one morning, I ironed one of my nicer double cuffed shirts, picked out a corresponding tie and jacket, and drove to work dressed for work. It felt awesome. Whilst this particular attire isn’t ubiquitously popular, it straightened my spine, enlightened my dimming perspective, and gave me that boost I needed to feel. I suddenly felt motivated to go to work and perform well. It also reinforced the dichotomy between work and rest, such that by wearing distinct work wear vs home wear, instead of the halfway-house blend of loungewear and scrubs (aka professional loungewear) which I wore during on-calls, I established a firm separation between the two environments.
2. Have a good lunch.
This is mainly inspired by the foodie in me. I am thoroughly and helplessly enthused by a good lunch and as such, I have made sure that I take in a concoction into which I can look forward to digging. It genuinely works a treat every single time. But if it’s not food, then a good coffee/tea/anything else enterally consumable can enlighten the day.
So, feeling lousy? Get a lunch that makes you power through the hours until salvation is finally achieved at long last.
3. Put on a nice cologne/face cream/cosmetics.
Putting on a good fragrance is very subjective. Some people don’t care much for scents, whereas others are much more die hard. In any case, for me, a good smell can instantly trigger an inner sense of confidence. After all, since when does a bad smell make anybody feel better?
In the same vein, using a nice face cream, shave cream, or deodorant can make that little bit of difference in the morning. Some of my face washes smell amazing, so I choose to use those in the morning, to stimulate the senses and inject a bit of colour into what could otherwise be a monotone routine. It’s like a mini, decadent treat for myself.
4. Practice gratefulness.
I find it so easy to take things for granted when I’m lost in the vortex of working life. Simple things like having a nice home, a loving partner, running water, and tasty food in the fridge can go unappreciated. Taking a moment in the morning to appreciate at least one of these elements instantly cultivates an inner feeling of appreciation and positivity that I can carry through my day.
I usually do this in the moment after meditating, still sat on the floor in the same position as I was during the meditation. My mind has been freshened and sharpened by the meditation, and a moment of gratefulness provides the finishing touch to a polished mindset.
5. Listen to music.
I don’t particularly subscribe to this as I prefer a quieter morning routine. However, my other half finds a bit of music and a boogie first thing in the morning to be a real booster if she’s feeling a bit blue. Plus it helps her to get going if she’s feeling reluctant to get out of bed.
What I personally enjoy, on the other hand, is a good playlist to drive to. This works a treat for me ahead of nights as I get to just give myself 30-45 mins of me time with my own music.
So, this is a small selection of what helps me get out of bed in the morning. And it’s obvious that a lot of it revolves around freshening up and having something to look forward to. I think the crux is if I’m feeling lousy and demotivated to go into work, then by introducing something to look forward to, I’ve instantly turned my mindset around to start contemplating the upcoming day with more positivity, even if this positivity isn’t directly relatable to work. And then, when it’s all over, I suddenly feel better and start to pick myself up again.
I’d love to hear your own suggestions so tweet me @VasudevZaver or directly message me on Instagram @thesurgeonsjournal!
Vasudev Zaver 