MinisterTank319
Work won’t always be fun. In fact, work can be a chore. If you…
Work won’t always be fun. In fact, work can be a chore. If you expect other people to keep you motivated, think again. But if you keep in mind that your job and career is up to you and no one cares about it as much as you do, you may find all the motivation you need.
Know your motivation. Finding your motivation requires a little thought and reflection. In order to be motivated, you have to know what triggers it. Take some time to ask yourself these questions and then share what habits or strategies you use or could use to stay motivated.
What gets you motivated?
What stops or reduces your motivation?
What habits or strategies do you use, or could you use for motivation?
Stumped??
Here are some habits or strategies that you are using or might work for you.
Stop sweating the small stuff. There are certain things you just can’t control, like a last-minute requests at work. Every day there are things that probably irk you, but don’t let those negative feelings sap your motivation. One way to drive out the negative feelings is to stay focused on achieving your own goals and your priorities.
Get in your zone. When you’re in the zone you produce some of your best work. Think about how you can create the ideal environment to do your best work. Do you need music? Bring in headphones and your favorite motivational playlist. Do you need sunlight? Find a sunny spot and use your laptop.
Check items off your to-do list. Not only will creating a to-do list keep you focused on your most important priorities, it also feels good to check items off your list when completed and encourages you to move on to the next thing on the list.
Hang with productive people. Associating with productive individuals allows you to observe and pick up some of their healthy productivity hacks. And because productive employees tend to be more positive, you may catch some of that too.
Connect to the bigger picture. If you understand how your work contributes to the bigger picture or company goals, that may make a difference. Knowing the work you do is worthwhile can help keep you on track.
Ask for feedback (if you need it). There are times you need feedback and times when you don’t. If you are in need of a boost of motivation, asking for feedback on something you think you did well can be just the fix you need.
Reward yourself. Learn what it takes to get yourself to complete dreaded tasks and set up a system of rewards for completion. Knowing you have a reward at the end of a task may help you drive through and complete it faster. Your reward can be downtime, a walk, food or whatever treat you know makes you feel good!
Add variety to your day. Don’t feel trapped by the monotony of your work and workplace. There is always an opportunity to add variety. Drive to work a new way, reverse your daily routine, eat lunch somewhere other than your desk or find some way to get out of your cube to see and do new things.
Incorporate more fun. If you want to find a way to stay motivated, make work more fun. It sounds simple, but often you get sidetracked by the drudgery of work. Instead, recognize what can be fun at work. It might be a lunch break with co-workers, a brainstorming session after a meeting or a chat with an employee you can learn from. There are already things in your day you enjoy. Make time to participate in these activities.
Stay logged off. If you’re stressed and feel like you can’t escape work, you need to set a cutoff time. Checking email as you commute home or when you wake up in the morning isn’t going to help alleviate feeling overwhelmed. Commit to yourself that you will not check email outside of working hours.
Give more. Some people like to feel they are making a difference in the world. If this is important to you, look for ways, inside and outside your organization, to volunteer for a cause you care about. If your organization doesn’t have any philanthropic opportunities, this may be your chance to start one with other employees.
Learn something new. Teach yourself how to do something. Maybe you’ve always wanted to improve your Excel skills. Either tap a colleague or sign up for a class. Learning new skills can improve your productivity and has a way of making you feel good about yourself.
Take a break. When you find yourself low on motivation, pushing through may not be the answer to getting your best work done. Take a 15-minute break and indulge in your favorite Pinterest recipes or see what’s happening in the news.
Keep an idea folder. Whether it is a book you want to read or a side project you’ve wanted to tackle, your list can serve as your go-to spot for inspiration that will benefit you and keep you going.
Directions: Reply with the following
Habits or strategies you use or could use to stay motivated.
What gets you motivated?
What stops or reduces your motivation?
What habits or strategies do you use, or could you use for motivation?
