How to Reignite Your Career Motivation This Summer
If your career feels stalled, uninspired, or stuck in neutral, you’re not alone. The “mid-year slump” is a common experience for professionals across all industries. Work that once felt exciting can begin to feel repetitive, and your enthusiasm can fade when you’re buried in routines, deadlines, and the same day-to-day challenges.
The good news? Summer offers the perfect opportunity to reset. The season’s slower pace, longer days, and fresh energy can help you reframe your mindset, set new goals, and find fresh motivation. Whether you’re in a corporate role, running your own business, or exploring a career transition, these strategies can help you reignite your professional drive.
At reStart, we specialize in helping professionals overcome career plateaus and create strategies for meaningful growth. Here’s how to make this summer a turning point in your career journey.
Revisit Your Goals
The first step to regaining momentum is making sure your goals still align with where you want to go. It’s easy to get caught up in the demands of your current role and forget to check in with yourself. Ask:
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Do my current goals reflect my long-term vision?
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Are they still relevant to my interests and values?
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Do they challenge me enough to keep me engaged?
If your answer to any of these questions is “no,” it may be time for a refresh. Summer is an ideal time to reflect, adjust, and set intentions for the rest of the year. You might discover you want to focus on building a new skill, taking on a leadership opportunity, or even exploring a different industry.
For help clarifying your goals, check out our Career Clarity Resources we offer tools and coaching to help you create a clear roadmap.
Shake Up Your Routine
Sometimes a career slump is really just boredom in disguise. Doing the same tasks in the same way, day after day, can dull your creativity and motivation. Small changes in your routine can help break that monotony and give you a fresh perspective.
Consider:
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Working from a different location, such as a coffee shop, coworking space, or even outside when possible
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Adjusting your schedule to tackle your most important tasks during your peak energy hours
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Volunteering for a project outside your usual scope to stretch your skills
Even subtle shifts can reignite your curiosity and help you approach your work with renewed energy. As productivity expert James Clear points out in Atomic Habits (link), small changes can compound into big results over time.
Celebrate Small Wins
One of the fastest ways to build momentum is to recognize your progress. The brain loves a sense of accomplishment, and acknowledging small wins creates positive reinforcement that fuels further action.
Try keeping a “win list” where you jot down achievements as they happen. This could include:
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Delivering a strong presentation
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Making a valuable new connection
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Mastering a tool or process you’ve been learning
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Receiving positive feedback from a client or colleague
Reviewing this list regularly can boost your confidence and remind you of how far you’ve come, even during slower seasons.
Reconnect With Your Purpose
Motivation often fades when you lose sight of why you do what you do. Ask yourself: What originally drew you to this work? Was it helping others, solving complex problems, creating something innovative, or achieving a personal milestone?
When you reconnect with that deeper “why,” your tasks begin to feel more meaningful. Sometimes, you’ll discover that your purpose hasn’t changed, but how you’re living it has drifted off course.
If you’re struggling to identify your purpose, our Career Purpose Coaching can help you uncover the values, strengths, and passions that drive you. This clarity can be a powerful motivator and guide for making career decisions.
Invest in Yourself
Growth fuels motivation. If you’re feeling stagnant, it may be time to intentionally invest in your own development. This doesn’t always mean going back to school. There are countless ways to expand your skills and perspectives.
Ideas for summer self-investment include:
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Taking a short online course or certification relevant to your field (sites like Coursera or LinkedIn Learning offer affordable options)
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Reading an inspiring career or leadership book
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Attending a workshop, networking event, or industry conference
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Scheduling a session with a mentor or career coach
Even dedicating just a few hours a week to learning can reignite your curiosity, boost your confidence, and open new doors.
Combine Mindset Shifts With Action
While mindset plays a huge role in overcoming a career slump, action is what cements change. Try pairing the strategies above with concrete steps that move you closer to your goals. For example:
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If your goal is to transition into leadership, volunteer to lead a small project team this summer.
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If you want to improve your visibility, commit to posting one professional insight a week on LinkedIn.
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If you’re aiming to change industries, schedule three informational interviews with professionals in that field.
The combination of clarity, small wins, and intentional action creates momentum that’s hard to stop.
The Bottom Line
Summer isn’t just for vacations — it’s also a season of growth and renewal. With a few mindset shifts, small changes to your routine, and intentional self-investment, you can transform a career plateau into a powerful turning point.
The mid-year slump is real, but it doesn’t have to define the rest of your year. By revisiting your goals, shaking up your routine, celebrating your wins, reconnecting with your purpose, and investing in your growth, you can enter the fall with more energy, focus, and excitement than you’ve felt in months.
If you’re ready to break through your career plateau and create a plan for the months ahead, explore our career coaching services, we’ll help you reset, refocus, and take your next step with confidence.