How to find motivation at work in the new year—even at the same job

At the start of a new year, it can be tempting to commit to new habits or map out major changes you want to make in the months to come. For some people, particularly those who feel burned out or detached from their work, a new job might seem like the solution.

But if you’re not looking to make any drastic career moves—or perhaps you’re just being realistic about your ability to find a new job in a challenging job market—then you might be looking for other ways to improve your professional life without quitting. Here are some things you can do to stay motivated at work, especially when you’re not feeling excited about the year ahead:

Focus on the positive

When you have misgivings about your job, it can be natural to fixate on those issues. But author and time management coach Elizabeth Grace Saunders says it’s also important to remember what you actually appreciate about your role or workplace. “Try to think through any of the things that make you happy,” she writes. “Maybe it’s that you get to work from home two days a week or that you like your coworkers or that there’s free coffee in the break room.” It can be helpful to remind yourself of those things on a daily basis—not just when you’re feeling frustrated.

Strive for more work-life balance

It’s possible you can’t do much to alter the overall scope of your job, or maybe a promotion isn’t on the table at the moment. Still, there are small changes you can make to improve your work-life balance or invest in activities that bring you joy outside of work. Too often, striving for greater productivity can turn toxic if the end goal is simply to work more or keep longer hours so you look busy.

But it might be worth finding ways to be a bit more productive during working hours if that enables you to carve out more time for the things you care about outside of the workplace. Or you may need to request more flexible hours if you’re struggling to manage your work schedule alongside your personal commitments.

Find opportunities for growth

Even if you can’t get promoted or move into a new role at your company, you can still seek out opportunities to grow within your current job—or outside of the workplace if necessary. Saunders suggests looking for special projects where you can expand your skill set, or asking for a direct report to develop management skills.

Either way, it’s important to ask for what you need to stay motivated on the job. That could mean discussing your future at the company or requesting more formal mentorship—which can be a crucial part of advancing your career. “Ask if you can have some consistent one-on-one meetings with your boss or another leader that are primarily focused on your professional development instead of just covering task completion,” Saunders says.

Of course, sometimes the right decision may just be to leave your company—and if that’s how you’re feeling, you might want to brush up on how best to optimize your résumé as you prepare for the job hunt in 2025.