No Motivation

I'd say there's about 1 day each month where I have absolutely 0 motivation.


Today seems to be that day. I've got a lot to do but struggling to stay focused. Refreshing WR, IG, and Twitter. It's not for lack of care in my role as I love my company, my compensation, and my duties.


In general, I'm a very driven worker - I'm a top performer already and I'm on pace for a personal all-time high quarter. I hate these types of days, as I'm consciously avoiding my duties.

When these types of days come up, it's basically just a throwaway day - I can never seem to pull out of the rut, wasting my own and my company's time.


Any tips for this?

Do you have problems with motivation?

Attached poll
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๐Ÿ™ Mental Wellness
๐Ÿคทโ€โ™‚ Poll
โ˜•๏ธ Workflow and Daily Habits
22
Chep
WR Officer
15
Bitcoin Adoption Specialist
Go for a walk, get some air, cook some food, get away from the laptop. Sometimes grinding too long causes burn out and that's only natural. Do something mundane and think about what you are grateful for in this life. Always help me:)
Ace
Arsonist
0
CEO
+100. Going for a walk listening to music is my fix
Chep
WR Officer
1
Bitcoin Adoption Specialist
Yessir. Crazy how effective music is for our brains!
Ace
Arsonist
1
CEO
Absolutely. Checkout brain.fm - They have designed music to manipulate your mood levels and it works wonders!
Chep
WR Officer
1
Bitcoin Adoption Specialist
I will thanks Ace!
Ace
Arsonist
0
CEO
Anytime!
BigCheese
Notorious Answer
0
Agency Recruiter
I did this actually. Took an early & extended lunch, went for a walk and made some chicken. Worked wonders.
Salespreuner
Big Shot
0
Regional Sales Director
+1 for this. Works best ๐Ÿ’ฏ
CuriousFox
WR Officer
12
๐ŸฆŠ
Everyone has these days. If they say they've never experienced it I internally roll my eyes.ย 

Don't beat yourself up. Take this as a sign and schedule a personal day asap. You may need a lil more than a walk around the block ๐Ÿ˜‰
BigCheese
Notorious Answer
2
Agency Recruiter
I appreciate you! I just requested some PTO for next month to visit my buddy in NY and take a breather.
Ryscott0317
Politicker
8
Cloud Specialist
Covid has made this especially hard for me because I havenโ€™t been in the office and being at home is distracting.

If it only happens 1 day a month for you thatโ€™s honestly not that bad. Get a few minor tasks done then hit the ground running tomorrow.
1nbatopshotfan
Politicker
2
Sales
I agree. Sitting at home in a makeshift home office while life piles up around me is challenging.ย 
BigCheese
Notorious Answer
1
Agency Recruiter
I'm in the office now which makes it easier and makes these days more rare, but WFH motivation was awful. Way too many distractions. Happy to be back.
Bankable
Opinionated
1
VP Relationship Manager
At first I was fine with the focus but being home for a year + I am constantly distracted. Need to reel it back in.ย 
ARRyouReadyKids
Politicker
5
Enterprise Account Executive
I don't struggle with this as much when things are going well, but man when things are slow, my motivation drops hard no matter how much I pick up my prospecting and outbound efforts.

I know sales is peaks and valleys, but wonder if there's any other advice for getting out of that valley.

Sounds like fresh air and walks is a popular one
GlenRoss
Politicker
4
Account Executive
You could just take a day a month off especially as a top performer. Just say youโ€™re not feeling it and youโ€™ll be back 100% tomorrowย 
BigCheese
Notorious Answer
1
Agency Recruiter
Honestly might start doing that. I like to take chunks of PTO off at a time for trips, but a day off here and there might be more fruitful for my mental health.
Tres
Politicker
4
Account Executive
Have you seen the New York Times article by Adam Grant about languishing? Basically, "languishing" is a good term to describe this lack of motivation feeling you get each month, and it's been much more common since COVID started and over the past year - 18 months.ย 
Penultimate
Opinionated
2
Mid-Market Account Executive
Yeah, I've read that article - it kind of puts what I've been struggling with into words. Great articleย 
BigCheese
Notorious Answer
1
Agency Recruiter
Not familiar actually. I'll look that up.
YourHuckleberry
Acclaimed Answer
1
Strategic Account Executive
I felt like he spend a month following me around before he wrote that article. I had no idea I was languishing, but that put it in words. I'm moving right now and looking at some business opportunities outside of my 9-5 that actually excite me, so I'm hoping one of those things will give me the kick in the pants I need. Or maybe I'll just do some fly fishing and hiking.
Trinity
WR Officer
3
BusDev
This happens to me as well. Sometimes I push myself or take a mental break (day off/afternoon off)
CaneWolf
Politicker
3
Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract
It's only one day a month? Good for you. Try to give yourself a few shortened weeks.

One thing that's worked for me in the past is making a deal with myself. "If I bang out five days worth of work in three days, I'll phone it in on Friday" or "if I schedule X outbound meetings, I'll buy myself a sixer of nice beer."
BigCheese
Notorious Answer
0
Agency Recruiter
I like that. I think I need to try to give myself more short-term goals like that.
JuicyKlay
Celebrated Contributor
2
AM
I think it's called being human. If you don't have days like this, you're probably a robot...
funcoupons
WR Officer
2
๐Ÿ‘‘
Everyone goes through this, especially us in sales where the pressure's always on. Completely normal.ย 

It's a sign you need to be easy on yourself and allow yourself to rest and recharge. Taking the day off as a personal day is ideal, but if you can't I think it's totally fine to address any urgent calls/emails and then spend the rest of the day doing what you want be it going for a walk, taking a nap, gaming, reading a book, etc.ย 
BigCheese
Notorious Answer
1
Agency Recruiter
Not a bad idea. I do need to take it easier on myself. I thrive under pressure but not when I pile it on myself.
YOTPO
Fire Starter
2
Account Executive
Just a part of the grind. Everyone is going to have their days. If the sun is out I try and get outside and get away from the screen for a little bit. But some days you just won't have it which is perfectly okay.ย 
deviantzen
WR Lieutenant
2
Consultant
Sounds like you're burnt out. We've all been there.

If you still feel the same way after either 6 months or a string of wins, then you might just always be burnt out by that role. Which is fine. But that probably means you should start putting feelers out.
BigCheese
Notorious Answer
1
Agency Recruiter
Think it might be one of those burn out inducing roles but I love it other than those days.
the_trivium
2
CEO
Do you spend time on attribution? As in, can you find out why this happens? Do you pay attention to what triggers or demotivate you?
BigCheese
Notorious Answer
1
Agency Recruiter
Truthfully, not sure. Always seems to be on Mondays or Tuesdays. Could potentially just be getting back to work and being overwhelmed by my new/pending responsibilities and not wanting to dive in.
Simo
Politicker
2
Director of Sales
I find that Lofi HipHop and a walk works well. Also, switch it up and go work in a new place if you're feeling out of it.ย 


BigCheese
Notorious Answer
1
Agency Recruiter
Always good playlists. Tried that, never really seemed to do it for me.
1nbatopshotfan
Politicker
1
Sales
How many days have you taken off since the pandemic hit? Like a sick or vacation day where you donโ€™t look at work emails etc? Take one. It will help. I battle the same feelings and then take a PTO day to help recover. Self care is huge.ย 
BigCheese
Notorious Answer
1
Agency Recruiter
I was unemployed from June to Sep due to the roner in 2020, but since then I think just one day of PTO. I need to start taking mental health days.
1nbatopshotfan
Politicker
1
Sales
Yes. Take a day. The world wonโ€™t end!ย 
BigCheese
Notorious Answer
0
Agency Recruiter
I mean, it might
justagent
Good Citizen
1
Business Development Executive
I think you're doing a pretty damn good job if it's just 1 day/month. Some days it's hard to drag yourself out of bed. That happens to everyone. Motivation is so subjective, but being kind to yourself above all is vital. It's okay to have shitty days.ย 

Having started my current role completely remotely during the pandemic, and having moved across the other side of the world, trust me, each day can be a real grind.

My tips: break up the work day (block it out on your calendar), use lists (simple but so effective), give yourself say 30-45 mins for a task or set of tasks and keep a timer on, and do things OTHER than work (walk, exercise, dog-walks, food, coffee, read, meditate, practice gratitude and so forth).
SammySandbags
Politicker
1
Account Executive
When you have no motivation - in order to do more work, you must do less work
BigCheese
Notorious Answer
1
Agency Recruiter
Similar to "in order to make money, you have to spend money." Makes sense!
SammySandbags
Politicker
0
Account Executive
exactly!ย 
doinkey
Contributor
0
Head of Sales
Definitely going for a walk, playing a pump up song, or listening to a sales podcast to find inspiration or motivation. A lot of mornings when I am getting ready, I will look in the mirror and talk to myself about my goals for the day, say what I am grateful for, and finish by reminding myself that I'm awesome at my job.
BigCheese
Notorious Answer
0
Agency Recruiter
Any sales podcasts you recommend?
doinkey
Contributor
0
Head of Sales
I love Daily Sales Tips by Scott Ingram when I'm short on time (3-5 minute clips), and am a big fan of The Brutal Truth About Sales and Selling by Brian Burns!
PepeSilvia
Good Citizen
0
Enterprise Account Executive
I've started allowing myself to "work less" since everything is still virtual. Reality is, when I was on the road multiple days per week my prospecting/account admin/follow-up time was limited to 3-4 hours per day. Now that a 1 hour meeting takes 1 hour instead of 2-3 depending upon drive time, I end up with excess. It's easy to burnout, so I've found making lists with targets easier to accomplish versus feeling like I have to be logged on from 8-5 every day.
Senor
Contributor
0
CEO
I think its completely normal to have motivation problems. Try changing ย up the work scenery, a coffee shop or park or a different area of your office. Makes it feel like your doing something new and exciting.ย 
Bittersweet0326
Politicker
0
Digital Business Associate
Sometimes when these days happen I think it means I need a throwaway day as you mentioned. You cant go 100mph every single day.ย 
specktyr
Praised Answer
0
Account Manager
For me, and it seems like others as well going off the comments; a complete disconnect.

I like to make a list the night prior of things I want to accomplish the next day - but I don't look at this list as a MUST.ย  We all know it can hit the fan at any time.

BUT - after I log off for the day, or even after a tough conversation.ย  I leave my phone at home, and I take the dog for a 20-30 minute walk.ย  I leave my watch (when I'm using a smart watch) at home, and all tech devices.ย ย 

This usually helps ground me - obviously different approaches will help you, but detaching from tech completely has been a game changer.

Good luck and know you're not alone!
donthavebudget
0
BDR
Being unmotivated for only 1 day out of the entire month is honestly not bad at all. Don't be so hard on yourself.ย 

Take it as a personal day and spend it on yourself. Get outside, make something, speak with a friend. It's better to fully enjoy the day and come back stronger the next, instead of half working and half procrastinating.ย 
ZebraStripe
Opinionated
0
Sr Sales Director
Take a day!ย  This happens to me all the time.ย  If you know it's going to be a totally wasted day and you have no motivation, just be comfortable unplugging and taking the day.
Adslanger1
Opinionated
0
Senior Account Executive
Fresh air and a good run is my go to remedy.
PTO is there for a reason as well use it get ur mind right and reset.
Come back fresh and make that that Big Cheese!
SalesPharaoh
Big Shot
0
Senior Account Executive
Sometimes you don't need motivation you need discipline to push through. Motivation can only take you far.ย 
takapuna
Opinionated
0
Account Executive
The churn in my company is getting out of control at the moment. Four great mates of mine have left within the past two months. I have been in a fog for the past month. But I have chosen to be. Need to set some new goals or give my notice of leave as well.
RealEstateVeep
Politicker
0
VP of Real Estate
I've honestly told my manager that my mind isn't at work and I need to take a day to get back after it. I'm not sure if yours would approve of that but sometimes taking a step back and taking a day for yourself will make you much more productive than simply pushing through.
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