Can't Work / Won't Work?

Question

Ugh. I don't know what's wrong with me. Every morning, I wake up and say to myself that I'm going to work hard when I get in the office, but every day I spend all day e-mailing or on here. I had a couple of weeks off from depression, and since I've been back I've just lost ALL motivation. I'm only doing the really urgent stuff.

Try as I might, I can't resist opening e-mail and answers, and Big Brother website, and it just all goes downhill from there.

Is this normal? Does anyone else suffer from this?

How do I get out of it? I really like my job and I don't want to lose it....

No sarcasm please, like 'get off answers'.... I know that, but I'd really appreciate advice to movitvate myself so I can put it into practice first thing tomorrow.

Answer 1

How is your work environment? Is the work stimulating? Are you surrounded by "do-ers" rather than those who come into work on Monday already talking about Friday?
1. Write out a task list of jobs you need to tackle
2. Consciously, and I mean, consciously, tell yourself: "I will now work on _______." This exercise makes the action real and easier to relate to because it's concrete and also it is a goal.
3. Watch on the "getting caught" bit but you could allow yourself a time frame that you are looking at sites or emailing.
4. Visualise being in the shoes of your work colleagues and imagine that you are a valuable member of a team.
5. Also, you may still be depressed. Often, we don't realise it but low motivation is a classic symptom. Remember this: You are not your depression. Think of it as a thing. You're wearing the gloom for now but you may be wearing the happy tomorrow or however long it takes you to feel better.
6. The main thing is to be gentle with yourself. Maybe talk to someone at work (warning) avoid those with ingrained negative thought processes. Being depressed is an extremely fragile state to be in and the slightest thing can be magnified into an incident or hurt. Find those who laugh and try to laugh as well - and I don't mean those who laugh at others or the sarcasm disguised as humour. I mean genuine silliness everyone can enjoy sort of laughter.
7. You could be in a "it's time to move on from this job rut". Examine your career path and be honest with yourself. Are you doing what you want to be doing? There is a whole world of jobs, careers and opportunities if we give ourselves a chance to see them.
8. Don't worry about losing your job. If you enjoy it, the enthusiasm will make you more valuable even if you are being a bit slack for a day or two than someone who hates their lot and brings the whole environment down.
9. There is nothing "wrong" with you so just stop that. You are having a phase. Look at it as an opportunity to grow. Those who have suffered depression and can understand it are helpful to others.
Good luck and you'll be fine.

Answer 2

When depression sneaks up on us we tend to be lethargic and withdrawn with no drives. You only move out of necessity. You can find motivation by realizing that your work is part of your day, but not your whole life. Roll up your sleeves and get the job done. It's only fair. The boss gives you a paycheck in return for you giving him your responsibilities. Maybe some medication could help pick you up. Be patient if you have some. Maybe the job needs to be more motivating. Ask the boss for some more stimulating things.

But it sounds like the depressive symptoms are holding you back and you need to address these with the help of a good dr.

Answer 3

I suspect that You are not the only person with Internet addictions of one sort or another. I sometimes get stuck in the personals. For me it is because the right one might be out there in cyber land. I will e-mail all kinds of people and end up playing here (Cyber space ) all day.

I get bored.
I can't conjure up any thing to do.
I see nothing of interest at my job despite it's being a good one, and I can get away with lots of time messing around here with out danger of dismissal.
Sound familiar???
If it was your own business likely you would be more concerned and attentive. When it is my interests at stake I am usually able to over come my Internet addictions.

You have to decide inside (not in your head) deeper than that, to be attentive to what is right. You disrespect the party that pays you, and as far as I can tell what comes around goes around.
It also helps to pray if you believe in a higher power. Even if you don't believe praying still works, odd how that is.
Later
Mitch

Answer 4

Same thing happened to me, only I have another job but I always went to sleep with the idea "okay tomorrow I'm going to work hard".
but when I arrived at work, I started real good and then I set down for a cop of coffee (we are allowed) and things became difficult, I couldn't find the energy to work as hard as I wanted
these days, I just force myself, my motivation is now that time goes faster when I work hard... not easy, I haven't found a real solution jet, but I was thinking to take some vitamins
not that these will solve the problem but if it just gives me a bit more energy ...
so I know how you feel, and I also know most people don't understand, I even don't understand myself

Answer 5

Look for a position that nurishes your passion for your job but gives you time away from oppurtunities to surf. It is normal a lot of companies have stict guidelines on how to use the the network related to work only , with structured policies in handbooks. Most is ingnored I worked at a call center with open network instituded policy about telecommunications proper use and abuse was terminable offence. Some people would get caught some would not. I would reccomend upgrading your personal resourses and investing in a laptop computer and setting up your work lunch or break time to communicate on your own computer. Taking the iniative to be resposible with company access , productivity, and privacy that are jepordized by violating standards and seperating work from leisure

Answer 6

First thing tomorrow? Why not put it into practice today... ;)

My thoughts are that because you are having so much difficulty letting go of "funner" things, it might be worth considering whether the job really is all that "fun" for you. You say you like it, but your actions say otherwise. What would you really like to do with your life if you are going to have to "waste" your time working anyway? Then consider what you need to do to be able to do that kind of work every day and get paid for it.

It is not so much an "obsession" you have as an "avoidance tactic" you are engaging in. So even though you say you "like your job and don't want to lose it"... you are not happy with where you are at. Figure out what it is exactly you are unhappy with, and be creative about changing that. ;)

Answer 7

You don't need a driver's license to get birth control.

Answer 8

what is it that you like in your work?
the weekend is coming up. I don't know where you live but try to get out of your usual surrounding. At least for a day.
Don't start your new plan for work till Tuesday. Whatever you start on Monday will never turn out into something good (you wont keep up with it).

Answer 9

I get the same way, sometimes you just get burnt out on the everyday tasks and then you get in a different routine of avoiding work all together. I don't know where to find the motivation but like you said you don't want to get fired - use that.

Answer 10

I know, my boss used to come in and catch me here and yell at me. I still get on through out the day but when I get up to do something I turn off the monitor, this way it doesn't distract me. If I leave it on then I'll go right back to the computer and get nothing done..