Stuck in a work rut

Not sure whether it’s your career or your job you should change? Here’s a checklist to help you figure it out

DOES going to work feel like a drag, when you used to be enthusiastic about it? Maybe you’re so demotivated that even your paycheque isn’t enough to get you out of bed in the morning.

That’s because we aren’t motivated to work purely for money, says career coach Khanya Matlala.

“We choose to work because we have a deeper set of goals – to have an opportunity to do what we do best every day,” she says.

When our jobs no longer offer us this opportunity, we start to rethink our options – perhaps a more exciting position or a change of career.

Both prospects bring exciting possibilities and challenges. So how do you figure out what’s the right move and the right set of challenges for you?

GET TO THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM

“Knowing what you don’t want often leads you closer to what you do want.

“Make a list of the pros and cons of changing jobs, and likewise of changing careers,” Matlala says. Like Matlala, life coach Kate Mar­

shall also helps those feeling demoti­vated in the workplace find a sense of purpose. Use these pointers to figure out whether it’s your job or profession that’s getting you down, she suggests.

WHAT’S THE SOURCE OF YOUR STRESS?

Make a list of all the things in your current job or line of work that cause stress. How many of them are related to:

Your industry or profession (like night shifts or certain tasks and responsibilities particular to your profession)?

Your present job (like a nasty boss, unfriendly colleagues or a stressful work commute)?

Your personal coping style (your time­-management skills, ability to work in a team or how well you handle disagreements in work relationships)?