Burned-out worker seeks motivation

I am a 52-yearold administrative assistant who is burned out. I take responsibility for not having a career area I findinteresting. Returning to college studying business did not go well and I had to drop out. Career counseling has notworked.

I am lost about what I should do. I would love to find a meaningful solution to the situation that I alone have gotten myself into.

Lost andConfused

Dear Lost: You are not your job. You are the sum of everything in your life.

Sometimes, if you feel stuck or burned out, it helps to look outside your current situation and make a deliberate effort to look for inspiration.

If you can do this, it should lead to an increase in your energy and self-esteem. Group exercise classes, teaching children and performing music do it forme— volunteering at a local food bank and attending gallery nights or other cultural happenings might do it for you.

You might find inspiration by scrolling through some TED talks— inspiring short lectures conducted by innovators, scientists, and creative thinkers. One I think might appeal to you is “The Puzzle of Motivation” byDanPink. You can browse through lectures at TED.com.