If you’re feeling unmotivated at work – like you’ve fallen out of love with the job you once enjoyed – it can be quite frustrating. And it’s not as uncommon as you might think; many people go through low points in their careers, and it’s perfectly normal and acceptable. But short of leaving your job, what can you do to regain that spark and get back to loving your work?

Here are three tips on how to love your job again:

#1: Reconnect with your purpose.

Think back to when you first started your job. What did you love about it? Why did it make you feel good? Now, think about what the purpose is for staying in your current position – helping more junior team members, benefiting the public, or achieving personal fulfillment, for example. Be honest with yourself about the purpose of your work and whether or not you still connect with that purpose. If you feel that you don’t, it may be time to move on to bigger and better things.

#2: Ask for more – or different – responsibilities.

Anyone will get bored with the same old thing day in and day out. And the longer you do your job, the more likely it is that you’ll start to yearn for something more. That’s okay – try talking to your supervisor and explaining how you feel. A great leader won’t look down on you or berate you for being honest. They should be happy that you’re ready to move upwards and take on more responsibilities, or learn a new skill in a different area of the company. That shows growth and development, which is always an attractive quality in an employee. And gaining additional responsibilities or exploring another area is a great way to fall back in love with your job.

#3: Improve your work/life balance.

Sometimes, we feel unmotivated at work because we’re starting to feel the effects of burnout. If you’ve lost interest in work you once loved, if you’re feeling exhausted, if things are starting to slip… you might be approaching (or already in) a burnout stage. It’s time to improve your work/life balance. Take some time off to recharge. Refocus on things you enjoy outside of work, like your hobbies or spending time with friends and family. Sometimes, all that’s needed is a little break and some self-care to remember why we like our jobs in the first place.

Interested In Moving On?

If you just can’t gain back the love you once had for your work, it might be time to move on. Talent Corps can help with that. Browse our open positions and get in touch with one of our recruiters. We’re happy to help you advance your career and find a role that suits your needs.