When Work Gets Boring: Keeping Your Enthusiasm Alive
Enjoying what you do is important. According to a recent job satisfaction survey, only 20% of workers say they are passionate about their jobs. If you love what you do it could be said that not only are you lucky, you are the exception. Even when we find great satisfaction in what we do, we are NOT immune to boredom or even burnout. Keeping the passion for your work alive is important, especially if you are a therapist!
How Do You Know If You’re Passionate About Your Work?
Being a therapist can be rewarding. Many of us get into this field because we find counseling fascinating and have a desire to help others. But how do you know if therapy is what you are passionate about? Medium outlines signs that you are passionate about something
Four Signs You’re Passionate About Something:
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Wonder: If you find yourself thinking about something often and feeling curious, odds are you are passionate about it. Finding your mind wandering to the field of counseling? You may be passionate about your work!
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Flow: This refers to getting lost in your work, perhaps not even feeling like it’s work at all. This can be common for us therapists and may be a place to learn to set healthy boundaries as well.
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Reflection and Growth: When we have a passion for something we often think about it and want to improve.
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Longevity: When you are truly passionate about something you practice it! We stick with it for extended periods of time because it is important to us.
If any of this resonates with you and your practice, odds are you are passionate about your work. You may already know this, but the real question may be whether or not you are keeping your passion and enthusiasm for your job alive.
How Can You Keep Your Enthusiasm Alive?
Even those of us that are the most passionate about our work can lose momentum. If you find you are feeling less than enthusiastic about your work, you aren’t alone.
The good news is that you can get your spark for your work back! It is unrealistic to think that you will always love everything about what you do. If you want to get your love for your work back, consider the following;
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Join a consultation group. Talking with others in the field can be validating and motivating. If you are feeling stuck, talking to others can help you to break out of your rut and move forward. It can also be really healing to hear that you aren’t alone in your experience.
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Go to conferences. Sometimes we can get so stuck in our own patterns that we forget there’s so much research and innovation out there. Get out there and be a part of it!
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Training, and not just to get your hours. Most of us are guilty of taking continuing education courses just to check a box. Take courses that interest you and actually pay attention. Don’t write notes or answer emails, truly engage and grow.
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Regular learning. This can look like a lot of different things like reading, writing, podcasts etc. Find what works for you and keep learning and growing. There’s no wrong way to do this, only wrong ways for you. For example: I struggle with reading certain books but I sure do love listening to them. When I listen to what I still call “books on tape” I find so much motivation and excitement. Find what works for you.
Where You Work Matters Too
Keeping your enthusiasm for the profession alive and preventing burnout requires work. It is important to be mindful of how you are feeling as well as boundaries you are setting with work. As a clinician you likely know all of this, but that doesn’t mean you are practicing it. We are all guilty of this from time to time.
Finding a work environment that supports your passion and work life balance is essential. If you’re passionate about mental health, value independence, and want to work in a supportive, client-centered environment, we’d love to connect with you.
Therapists licensed in North Carolina who are interested in learning more about contracting with a supportive private practice are encouraged to reach out! Carolina Counseling Services is here to help you grow in your practice!
