How to rekindle your passion for work

With everything that we have been managing over the past year, it is understandable if you feel that you are not enjoying work right now. We spend a lot of time doing work and deserve to be happy while we do it. If you want to rekindle your passion for work, this is for you.
 
In this blog post, we will explore five concrete things you can do to find your joy at work again.
 
#1: Look back on what you have accomplished
It is easy to get so caught up and not see the progress you have made over the past year. Looking back on your work results can remind you of what you like the most about your work. All your professional accomplishments, even the small ones, matter a lot. Even if you don't see it, you have made progress and are doing well.
 
Strategies to consider

• Make time to reflect on your professional accomplishments
• Share your accomplishments with your manager and team

 
#2: Refresh your professional goals and update your career plan
Most of us have been in survival mode over the past year. As a result, you may not have had the opportunity to define or check on your professional goals. Having an updated Career advancement plan helps give you a view of the future. Knowing that there are great things ahead builds excitement and rekindles your passion for your work. Do not let another year go by without you checking in on your professional goals.
 
Strategies to consider

• Plan time to check in on your professional goals and update your career plan
• Write down what your next career moves will be

 
#3: Make a bold career move, start working on a new project or job
After you review your career plan, you might discover that it is time to do something new or make even bigger career changes. Finding work that is satisfying and meets your development needs is crucial. If you know that the only way you can be happy at work is to change your job, plan, and make it happen. It could also be time to go up for a promotion. Asking for an overdue promotion is an emotional thing to do. However, making bold career moves has great rewards.
 
Strategies to consider

• Think about how to make your next career move
• Go up for a promotion, find a new project or job

 
#4: Revive your professional network
Especially if you have been working virtually over the last year, you may have lost touch with your coworkers and industry connections. Most of us have been working from home, unable to attend conferences or professional meetups. The people in our professional lives have a positive impact on how we enjoy our work. It is crucial to be intentional about reconnecting with people professionally.
 
Strategies to consider

• Identify three people you want to reconnect with
• Meet with them over the next four weeks

 
#5: Find a passion project
The truth is that work is only one part of your life. Focusing solely on your job and investing most of your time will not make you happy. Sharing our focus on multiple things will help us be at our best at work. Working on my blog posts and coaching sessions provides me a vital outlet. I find that I am better at work when I am working on projects that I care about. 
 
Strategies to consider

• Find what you can invest your time in outside work
• Work on your passion projects

 
Final Thoughts: Is it time to take a break?
If you read the strategies above and felt overwhelmed, it might be time to take a break. One of the first things that I did when I got back to work from maternity leave was plan days and weeks when I would take time off work. It was a necessary strategy for me to enjoy work and thrive. Planning time off work will help energize you.
 
Great resources

• [Podcast] Let’s Do Less Dead-End Work
• How to Rekindle Your Relationship With Work
• 6 ways to reignite your passion for work
• How Self-Improvement Can Reignite Your Passion For Work
• 10 Signs That You’ve Lost Passion for Your Career
• Stuck In A Rut? How Passion Projects Can Reignite Your Motivation