How to Break Out of a Rut

Do you feel trapped in an unrewarding job? Here are 13 ways to reconnect with your work-life mojo

WHEN YOU BEGIN to lose joy in your work and find the day-to-day grind not fun anymore, you might want to quit at that moment. Often, this isn't practical. You may have to stick it out for a few more months or even for a year or two because of your personal obligations such as financial security, mortgages, debt and children. It's frustrating to have to stay at a job that doesn't bring you enjoyment.

When you lose excitement for your work, how can you bring new vigor to your relationship with your job? Here are some suggestions to help you:

1. What are the top five things you like most about your work?
 It might seem hard at first to start this list, but you'll be surprised what you come up with once you begin. By making this list, you will have found things about your work that make you feel good. For example, do you enjoy: working with and developing your staff, solving the problems of your employees, giving presentations, having brain-storming sessions, teaching others how to do a skill or completing projects?

2. Which one of your coworkers could you cultivate a deeper friendship with?
 After you name at least one person, spend time making this relationship more meaningful. This will cause you to have better feelings for your work because of the support and friendship.

3.What people at your office enjoy their job and how can I learn from them? 
Name at least one person you know who could be a model of someone who has a good relationship with his or her work. By observing that person, you can learn to enjoy a job, even when it seems difficult or stressful.

4. What are the five things that cause you the most stress at work?
 After reviewing this list, circle the three things you actually have control over and could improve. If you don't have anything that you can change, make a new list with three things you can change. This exercise is about improving at least some of the conditions and perhaps making the overall experience more pleasant. By focusing on things you have control over, you'll be able to increase your self-fulfillment at work.

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