How can I be excited for my job again?

Decades ago, I was in the US Navy. Now there’s a job that can have its days!
I was stationed at the Naval Academy,aboard the craft they used for training Midshipmen how to be at sea. Those smug, self entitled brats can get on your nerves, and you have to keep remembering they must be molded into high functioning Naval Officers.
One day we were returning from a cruise, plowing down the Chesapeak Bay. They had charge of the craft, so I was off. There I lay, on a gearbox on the fantail, watching clouds float above.
I thought to myself, “Some people save up to do this on their vacation, and I’m getting paid.” I then sent a mid down to the galley to fix me a sandwich and bring me a soda.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Sit back, and look at your job, your life. Can you imagine people wanting to take that job from you? Here’s another thought, it beats living in a cardboard box behind the Chinese restaurant.

My best advice was get yourself away a while, but you said you can’t do that.

Take a continuing education course to update your knowledge and skills. Learning about new developments usually helps give me a resurgence in enthusiasm. At the very least, spend some time contemplating what it was that you were excited about in the early days, and try to focus on those aspects and elements of the job.

Teach someone how to do your job, so that you can be promoted out of it, if you’ve become dissatisfied with it.

For my own part, I’ve deliberately avoided putting in for promotions at work that I am perfectly qualified for, because I’ve reached a comfort level with my boss, my position and my co-workers and, imperfect as it is – and it surely is imperfect – it’s better than the alternatives that I see around me, and I’m not looking for major change. I’m comfortable where I am, even if I’m not always thrilled to be there.

Maybe it comes from my (learned) ability to enjoy bad weather, unexpected and unwelcome change, disruption and confusion as much as I enjoy good weather, perfect harmony and everything-in-its-place. It’s a sort of Zen thing, I guess. You cannot be happy in the moment until you first learn to be in the moment.

People change careers many times in life. Maybe it’s time for you to start casually looking at want ads and online job postings in your spare time.

It’s unfortunate that you can’t take a break now, because it sounds as if you need to go on a lovely, mind-clearing, jump-starting vacation. And, there’s no time like the summer for doing that.

You may never again be excited for this job. But don’t fret, many people live this way.

It’s pretty common to lose the initial excitement of a new job within a year or so.

If there’s a chance to advance with your current company look into what that will take.
The ‘project’ of building your skills up to qualify for that will be interesting and taking on the new post will be interesting.

If there is no prospect of advancement or growth at your current company then discretely get your resume together and start getting that out to other companies where you might like to work.
When you get interviews, be sure to prepare and ask some questions about things that are important to you – interview the company to understand its suitability for you. That will help inform your decision if they make you and offer, and it should be seen as a sign of maturity on your part that you understand your requirements and can communicate them.

Thank you for your advice! I really hope I will find my excitement for my job again because I was studying about it for years and it is the only thing I could imagine me doing for living. @Jonesn4burgers you were right about what you told. When I imagined someone else doing what I am doing for living made me jealous of him. I will not let somebody else take my job, and then regret it!

On the other hand, @Jonesn4burgers, there’s a lot to be said for living in a cardboard box behind the Chinese restaurant. I don’t think I ever was in a cardboard box, as I grew up in the place and knew how to get around on a street level. So I lived on the streets of downtown L.A. near Mac Arthur Park. What a wonderful life, although definitely requiring rugged individuals.

You would be wise to rekindle your fervor for your job @dina_didi because there aren’t a lot of them around anymore.

I used to ride the bus to work past a Mayflower lot. There were always moving vans parked there, and large packing crates stacked against the building.
One day all the bus passengers were amused by someone’s overnight prank. A large packing crate had been moved near the fence. A crude sign was hanging from it which read, “Affordable housing”.
@dina_didi , here’s a small thing you might try. Keep something small, but special concealed in a pocket, It could be a crystal, one of those smooth polished stones, a tiny troll doll,from one of those fifty cent vending machines outside of the grocery store. Whatever you choose, it should have one job only. Don’t choose anything with a previous emotional attachment. When things are making you feel like you would REALLY rather be having a fuzzy navel and a foot massage, reach in your pocket and hold your little reminder for a moment. That is its only job, to give youencouragment for that moment.
In time you will likely get through the day without needing to reach for your pocket.
I predict you will eventually start leaving it on your nightstand, smiling at it every few months, thinking how much better things were than you felt for a while.

@Dan_Lyons you are right. There are not many jobs and I should be gratefull to have one.
@Jonesn4burgers that was something I used to do at the first years at my job. I used a gift from one of my friends to cheer me up when I was sad. I am going to do that again! I think you made me see my job from another perspective! Thank you all! You helped me a lot!

I’m in that situation right now. But I like being able to afford our new house, new cars and providing health coverage for my wife and 4 year old daughter. So I plug away. My job is in doors so it’s cool in the summer and warm in the winter. We have pretty good freedom to eat in our offices and take breaks as needed. All in all not too bad but not always challenging.
It happens and I’m sure there are others that would kill to be in my position.