Self-motivation is among the most sought-after soft skills in 2021. The ability to keep going, even in the face of setbacks, and to look beyond the bare minimum of what is required, and to show commitment to completing tasks is always highly valued by employers.
These abilities have proven to be particularly important over the past year as many companies moved to remote work. Unfortunately, a large proportion of employees found that working from home was not as easy as they thought it would be. The main challenge they faced was to stay motivated and productive, when there were all kinds of distractions around, and nobody was there supervising them.
But even when working at the office, we all experience a lack of motivation from time to time, no matter how much we love our job. Fortunately, there are some proven techniques that can help you to keep a positive attitude and to stay productive at work.
Here are ten tips on how to keep your motivation levels high when working at the office.
#1 See the bigger picture
Even dream jobs come with their share of frustrations, and occasionally tasks will be complicated, repetitive, and just boring. So, when you find yourself struggling to find the motivation to do certain work it’s good to look at the bigger picture.
You need to remind yourself of what made you apply for the job in the first place? And what do you hope to achieve in the future? Understanding where you are, where you wish to be, and how you plan on getting there is crucial for staying motivated at work.
#2 Divide large projects into smaller tasks
The idea of completing a vast project can be daunting. And it’s almost impossible to find the motivation to do the job when you don’t even know where to start.
So, you need to break the work down into manageable bite-sized pieces. This way the tasks will seem less intimidating and easy to achieve, and you can start ticking the tasks off your list one at a time.
This will allow you to feel a sense of accomplishment after finishing each task, and you can rest assured that you’re making progress on your journey to achieving your goal at work.
#3 Set deadlines
You’ve probably heard the statement that ‘work expands to fill the time allotted for it’.
Setting a time limit for a particular activity will motivate you to assemble your resources and to focus on the task. You’ll be more likely to complete everything you have planned during your day at work this way.
Even if the task isn’t urgent, it’s better to set a reasonable deadline for completing it and to stick to the schedule.
#4 Celebrate your wins
Bribing yourself is an efficient way to remain motivated at work. Give yourself something to look forward to. It can be a small treat like a cup of coffee after answering all your emails or a run after a meeting.
Something more considerable, like going to a movie you have wanted to see for a long time, if you finish the monthly report will certainly keep you motivated for longer.
But use this strategy carefully so you don’t build up bad habits. Rewarding yourself for every completed task with a box of donuts is not the best idea.
#5 Take care of your health and well-being
Looking after your physical and mental health is crucial. It’s extremely hard to stay motivated and productive if you are exhausted and you just run on caffeine all day.
You need a healthy diet, plenty of sleep, a lot of fresh air, and regular exercise to be the best version of yourself at work.
#6 Record your achievements
Sometimes we lose motivation because it feels like our long-term goals are so far away, and it seems that we aren’t getting closer to them. Fortunately, this can be fixed easily.
Start tracking your progress and document your achievements, even the small ones, at work. Knowing how far you have come and how much is left to do helps you to stay motivated and focused.
#7 Stay organized
Make sure your workspace is clutter-free, so there are fewer distractions, and it’s easier for you to stay focused. So, remove piles of papers from your desk and close all unnecessary windows on your computer.
A clean working environment motivates you to do more and it gives you a better chance of being and remaining productive, which is crucial at work.
#8 Create routines
It might sound counterproductive because we tend to think about routines as something that kills motivation. But the truth is that if you have a clear structure and schedule for your work day, you don’t have to waste energy constantly thinking about what to do next.
Schedules and routines actually help you to stay motivated and to get work done.
#9 Surround yourself with enthusiastic people
People around you can have a significant impact on how motivated you feel. Spend time with enthusiastic co-workers who are constantly working to accomplish new goals at work. Their positive attitude will inspire you to achieve what you want.
#10 Learn new things
Feeling like you are stuck at your job and that you’re not moving forward certainly can dampen your motivation. Learning new technologies and innovative ways to complete your tasks is an effective way to keep things exciting at work.
Conclusion
The ten techniques described above will help you stay motivated at work, demonstrate self-motivation to other team members and to achieve your career goals faster. That is because a self-motivated employee is a crucial asset to any company, and employers know it. Such professionals can do their job without constant supervision and reminders. And they are always ready to go the extra mile to achieve outstanding results.