In the bustling world of organizations big and small, leaders and managers often find themselves grappling with the pervasive issue of employee disengagement. Gallup’s 2023 Workplace survey found that 23% of employee are engaged, which is actually a slight increase from prior years. But what’s happening with the remaining 77%? How do you inspire others when you’re struggling to inspire yourself?

The phenomenon of quiet quitting is real. For individuals, disengagement can manifest as a lack of motivation, irritability, burnout, and an overall sense of underperformance. A 2023 survey of workers by the American Psychological Association found:

• 31% were emotionally exhausted
• 26% felt unmotivated to do their best
• 25% felt “a desire to keep to themselves,”
• 19% reported irritability or anger toward colleagues and customers.

I have worked with coaching clients who have been successful in their career path but hit patches where their motivation slips off the rails. Whether it’s from pressures at work, juggling parenting with elder care, or dealing with unexpected health challenges, something changes in their ability to show up at their best in leadership. Their experience can be paraphrased as: “I used to be able to find balance and flow. But now it feels like I’m encountering friction and challenges everywhere. I lack the motivation to figure out how to solve it, and sometimes even care about it.”

If you can relate, you are far from alone in feeling that sense of disconnect and lack of mojo. The repercussions extend beyond the workplace, seeping into home and community life.

Despite the haze of disengagement, there are pathways to reignite your motivation and reclaim your zest for life. Here are 3 practical tips to help you activate your mojo:

1. Pause and Acknowledge

Instead of bulldozing through feelings of disengagement, take a moment to pause and acknowledge them. Set aside some time for a brain dump—write down everything that’s weighing on your mind and contributing to your dwindling motivation. By gaining clarity on the root causes of your disengagement, you pave the way for finding meaningful solutions. Remember, understanding the problem is the first step towards solving it.

2. Look for the Cosmic Breadcrumbs

Disengagement often serves as a signpost, guiding us towards what truly matters. Take the opportunity to examine what’s not working for you and identify patterns, choices, or situations that contribute to your lack of motivation. This introspection can illuminate the path towards aligning your actions with your values and aspirations. Sometimes, it’s about unlearning old habits or making different choices to create a more fulfilling path forward.

3. Go for the Small Wins

When the weight of disengagement feels overwhelming, focus on achieving small victories. Look for even the tiniest ways to experience success and accomplishment. Whether it’s organizing your sock drawer, preparing a nourishing meal, or taking a leisurely walk in nature, each small action serves as kindling to reignite your inner fire. Embrace the power of incremental progress, starting bit by bit until momentum builds.

If you’d like support with leadership within your organization or team, let’s connect to explore whether the Adaptive Advantage (™) program or Level Up Leadership executive coaching program can help!