Workplace Motivation Battles, Burnout And ‘Brownout’

This time of year can present struggles with workplace motivation. Bleak UK weather and an ever dwindling lack of sunlight can keep us lethargic long after we’ve grumpily stumbled out of bed. Leaving for a workplace before the sun is up, and getting home long after it’s can leave us feeling like we’re missing out on life.And our work might suffer as a result. Resentment might build, together with a lack of energy or motivation to perform our roles. There are all sorts of terms and words attributed to such feelings: from the basic frustrated, stressed and unhappy, to more business jargon like burnout or now ‘brownout’.

Borrowed from the energy industry by business analysts, whereas blackout describes a sudden and total power outage, a brownout represents a reduction in voltage which makes lights dim or flicker. This appears to broadly accept that there are other points on the scale between total mental wipeout and being ok.

What can we do to fend off the brownout?

Analyse Your Triggers

It’s advisable to develop a level of self-awareness concerning your own personal triggers, enabling you to take preventative measures in addressing risks. These triggers might include certain types of environmental changes including restructuring or downsizing. A continued lack of new staff through the door might mean more pressure falling on your shoulders. Whether consciously or not, this might begin to niggle you.If you sense this is happening, or might happen, think about alternative strategies. If you spot a workload juggernaut on the horizon, heading straight for you, get out your binoculars and inspect it head on. What sort of work will it be? Is there anyone else in the team who might benefit from the experience of sharing it with you?

Make It Formal

Speak about your concerns with a senior figure, and potentially suggest working with an HR consultant to address personal concerns. If it’s for the benefit and efficiency of the whole operation, they should listen.

Don’t Battle Through It

“No, really, I’m fine.” It can be a very British knee-jerk reaction, a workplace equivalent of the stiff upper lip, but do not say this if you are not fine. It might be that you can sense your lights dimming into a brownout. If so, you have a responsibility to stop it impacting you, your team and your work. One of the ways to do this is by talking about it.As tough as it can be, attempt to positively assess how brownout has affected your performance and engagement, either currently or in the past. Figure out practical changes by asking what would enthuse you or re-engage you. Is there a way to reinvigorate up the workplace dynamic, shifting responsibilities and duties? Many organisations deliberately reshuffle talent at regular intervals to keep them fresh and help them learn new skills.[Read the Atlantic Resource blog: Is Workplace Productivity Stifled By Our Obsession With It?]

Be Open To Changes – big and small

It’s often necessary to be comfortable with uncertainty in workplaces, because our working lives are all ultimately dependent on powers beyond us: the judgements of other people and simple good or bad fortune play a part, as much as hard work. Brownout might occur as a result of worrying about this uncertainty and what may or may not happen in the future.Such nerves can all be exaggerated at this time of the year, with depressing British weather and little sunlight, the rapid approach of Christmas and the flipping over of another New Year, which usually invites reflection and prediction. Equally though, you must consider the general present, and whether your personal lights are dimming due to a more fundamental lack of heart in your occupation.Accountancy specialists AAT polled 2,000 adults on their work life, estimating a range of lifetime statistics based on starting work at 18 and retiring at 65. Amongst these were that 45 per cent of those polled had been made redundant at least once and endured two periods of serious financial worry. They also endure an average of two unemployed periods before getting back on their feet in the job market.

Mark Farrar, AAT Chief Executive commented:”A huge number of adults reach a career point where they feel a change is needed. As the years go by we learn more and more about what makes us happiest in our working life and the kind of roles and challenges that suit us best. Whether that means entering a whole new field, or aiming for a promotion in your company, there are options which can help your lifetime of employment work for you.”

So called ‘brownouts’ can crop up in any job, at any time. There are preventative and constructive measures you can take to fend it off., but self motivation is not always easy. Life is comprised of more than just work, and that can sometimes overflow into work.Keep tabs on whether it’s happening more often than it should, and whether workplace motivation is a constant struggle. Because it shouldn’t be. Difficult times and difficult decisions can be a necessary part of finding a better and more fulfilling career path where workplace motivation is natural.Get in touch with Atlantic Resource if you’d like to discuss your career options in construction, catering, office administration or care.