LACK OF MOTIVATION

“Lack of motivation” is a dangerously vague euphemism for unwillingness to work.

If we do not want to work, it happens for one of the following reasons.

First, there is a lack of “what.” We do not understand what we must accomplish, and naturally, we cannot organize our work toward something nonexistent. The only cure is finding out through communication.

Second, we do not know why we do this—what is in it for us, what internal need will it fulfill. The result has no value, or its (subjective) value is so small that we cannot exert the needed effort.

If there is no value, and you are working in a crappy joint, then procrastination might be your healthy response to the unhealthy orders. {“Bullshit jobs” by David Graeber} However, why will you (or anyone) work for such an organization? And if you do, why not make an effort and leave it ASAP?

We have a subdivision of the second reason. Life is changeful, and what once had value for us lost it. We continue moving by inertia, yet the journey lost its pleasure. Analyze it. If the value is gone, switch to another activity with value. 

Third, there is a lack of how—we do not have enough resources (tools, skills, or knowledge) to approach the work. The absence of feedback applies here as well. When the goal is too far, and the delay is enormous, we must have feedback on our way toward it. Otherwise, we do not know if we are getting closer to it.

Figure out how to get the feedback and from whom. If you cannot get it from others, find a way to provide it yourself.

Fourth, we depend on someone else’s input—too many people and their outputs stand between us and the endpoint. Our work does not receive input when needed, and this situation—the chronic lack of control over work—demotivates us. The more dependent we are on other people in our work, the more stress we experience.

Eliminate the dependencies. Persuade the supervisor to help you, or at least make the supervisor aware of the problems that hinder you.

Fifth, we might be tired, hungry, or not recovered from the previous day’s burden. Maybe we are not healthy or got up earlier than we should. According to some data, seven out of eight people experience social jetlag—i.e., they must start the workday before their organism awakens. {For its effect on our health and links to other publications, see}

Only the sixth reason can be considered the “lack of motivation”—the lack of will. We lack the self-discipline to do what we understand and know how to do; we procrastinate or postpone the effort. Arthur Schopenhauer once noted, “Willpower is to the mind like a strong blind man who carries on his shoulders a lame man who can see.”

If you lack self-discipline, practice it and force yourself to work.