5 Tips For Staying Motivated At Work

Staying motivated at work can sometimes feel like an impossible feat. From pain-in-the-rear co-workers to bosses with attitudes that could sour a candy bar, there are elements in every workplace that’ll surely test your ability to make it to work each and every day. With that in mind, you’d likely benefit from learning some tips and coping mechanisms for getting through those days that just make you feel like you can’t go on any longer.

Acknowledge Your Contributions To The Mission

One thing that could really diminish your motivation is the feeling that you’re stuck. To help combat this sentiment, write down a list of what you’ve accomplished in your position, and how it’s positively impacted the company on the whole.

Did you pitch an idea that ended up leading the company in a different direction? Did you catch a mistake that saved someone’s skin? All of these things are good reasons to feel proud and to remind yourself that you really are contributing.

Make Tasks More Manageable

We’ve all run into that big, overwhelming project that seemed impossible to complete… When you encounter your next task that just feels too overwhelming, instead of trying to get the entire thing done right away, break it down into as many sub-tasks as possible.

This will allow you to selectively focus on only one very small component of the work at a time. You can even outsource certain components that don’t play to your strengths.

Give Off Good Vibes

Optimism and good vibes are incredibly contagious. By giving off those good vibes, you’ll allow people to feel better about themselves, and in turn, the entire work environment can become a place of increased joy.

You’ll also find that the more positivity you exude, the more people will start gravitating toward you, and may be willing to help you with all sorts of work-related tasks.

Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff

It can be easy to let things get to you at work, especially if things also aren’t going so swimmingly at home. It’s in your best interest to focus on the biggest picture you can and to remember that, at the end of the day, your ability to build a pivot table or compile data in a spreadsheet simply doesn’t define your existence on this planet.

Reward Yourself

While you might not always get the recognition that you truly deserve, especially if you’re not in a managerial position, part of your company’s success can be attributed directly to you. Take a step back every now and then to acknowledge yourself, and allow yourself the privilege of a night out with friends, a weekend getaway, or some other small reminder that you’re worthy of a little self-care.

Honoring yourself can serve as a great carrot to dangle in front of yourself, as you’ll be motivated to do your best over and over again, in anticipation of your next self-awarded “treat.”

So yes, while staying motivated at work can sometimes feel like a tall order, it’s more than doable, and you’ll likely benefit from the aforementioned tips and pointers. So before throwing in the towel on being pumped up about your work, consider first some shifts, and only then assess where you’re at.