Squiggly Careers Squiggly Shortcut: How to Boost Your Motivation in a Knotty Career Moment
Mar 19, 2026
Short, practical tactics for snapping out of a draining work funk. Quick dopamine hacks like music or a brisk walk. Small, tangible tasks to regain momentum and control. Simple ways to get perspective by reaching out to someone you trust.
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What Makes A Moment Knotty
- Knotty moments are prolonged, energy-sapping situations at work like unexpected feedback, tricky projects, or difficult people.
- Helen frames these as common experiences that drain momentum and need small, practical interruptions to restore functioning.
Prioritise Small Proven Resets
- Prioritise short, proven resets even if they feel trivial because they restore immediate motivation.
- Helen warns not to dismiss actions like shouting at a song; they deliver mini-resets that chemically lift you.
Use A Quick Dopamine Hack
- Use a quick dopamine hack to reset when you hit a knotty moment at work.
- Helen Tupper recommends loud favourite music, a fast walk, or a brain dump to shift chemicals and restore energy quickly.