We all want to feel motivated and to find meaning in the things we do.
Speech pathologists are lucky: we have a built-in purpose.
As professionals, we have a natural impulse to learn new skills and to take on new challenges. This helps us feel alive.
At some point, everyone loses motivation – especially if overworked; or after a set-back, disappointment, illness, or professional failure.
Building good habits and systems can help us keep going when we are demotivated. But we can trial some other ideas to find our spark:
- Express yourself: Write down and share stories about times you were at your best and reflect on your strengths and skills.
- Experiment: Reframe challenges as opportunities to experiment and learn, rather than as stress-inducing ‘performances’.
- Kick through apathy with action: Get out and explain what you do, and why you do it to others. Advocate for change.
- Focus on the quality of your inputs: Put in your best work with the energy, time and other resources available. Take pride in your work, and celebrate small wins. (Remember you can’t always control outcomes.)
Source: Cable, D. (2018). Why People Lose Motivation – and What Managers Can Do to Help. Harvard Business Review, March.
Hi there, I’m David Kinnane.
Principal Speech Pathologist, Banter Speech & Language
Our talented team of certified practising speech pathologists provide unhurried, personalised and evidence-based speech pathology care to children and adults in the Inner West of Sydney and beyond, both in our clinic and via telehealth.
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