How To Be Motivated At Work And Find Your Drive Again

Feeling discouraged by everything about your job? Sometimes, the pressure and stress of work can bring you down. But don’t let them get to you. Sure, quitting is an option, but it may not necessarily be the answer. Rather, take this moment as a sign to reflect on how to be motivated at work so you can get your drive going once more.

Why Am I Not Motivated To Work?

We’ve all been there. Even in the midst of a job that we love, it’s still possible to feel down and unmotivated. Other times, your work starts feeling routine and repetitive that you start wondering why you even wanted it to begin with.

It’s normal: you wake up in the morning, remember that you have to go to work again, and somehow you just can’t bring yourself to get up and get ready for the week ahead. You consider calling in sick, but you know you shouldn’t. Before you send that resignation letter and call it a day, know that there are ways to stay motivated at your workplace.

Also read: Top 10 Factors That Affect Productivity and What to Do to Overcome Them

How To Be Motivated At Work

Fortunately, help is always within reach nowadays. And, it can come in a variety of forms and sources. If you’re at a point where you constantly ask yourself what motivates you at work, then you’ll surely find the following tips useful.

1. Make a to-do list

At the start of the week, make a to-do list of everything you have to accomplish before the weekend begins. Include personal errands, work-related tasks, and even fun outings in the middle of the work week. Looking at this list and checking off item after item will help motivate you as you see your to-do list shrinking, and you’ll feel productive and proud of yourself. Another tip: put the payday dates on your work calendar. Trust us, it really works in motivating.

2. Take breaks and make the most of them

This may seem simple, but it works! During your lunch break, head to a cool restaurant with coworkers or do something a bit more entertaining: visit a bookstore, or binge something quickly on your phone. In between tasks, take the time to head out for 10 to 15 minutes and do something fun. Play games on your phone, chat with a coworker, call a friend, or read a few pages out of the book that you always bring with you but never open. The important thing is that you don’t spend your entire time at the office just working.

3. Schedule something exciting mid-week

There’s nothing like a night at the movies or a dinner with friends mid-week to get you out of that workplace slump. If you start feeling like you’re not motivated enough, consider scheduling something fun with coworkers on a Wednesday or a Thursday. Sometimes, even scheduling it on a Friday will do the trick. It depends on what kind of work schedule you’re following! The farther it is from the start of your work week, the better. This way, you will have the motivation to finish each workday just to get to that coveted night out.

4. Change up your office look

If your office doesn’t have uniforms, this may just be the time to change up your wardrobe. Treat yourself to a little something after you get your salary. Head to the mall and buy the pieces that you’ve always been eyeing but always said no to. This is the time to jazz up your work clothes. It does wonders in motivating. Then you’ll be excited to head to work just to show off the new top or the new bottom you just bought. If you wear make-up, you can also buy new face paints. Maybe go for a bolder lip or more shimmer.

5. Go outside your comfort zone

Maybe you’re feeling unmotivated because your work has been feeling very repetitive. Consider a change in your comfort level, like asking your boss if there’s anything you can do outside of your job responsibilities. See if there are other teams in your department that need an extra hand and where you can upskill. Are there new trainings coming up? What about special projects? Be sure to sign up for them. This is the time to step up! It may even lead you to more and better opportunities within your workplace.

6. Stick to the people who inspire you

Have someone you look up to at work? For some employees, having people who inspire them on a daily basis is enough to stay motivated in the workplace. If this is the case for you, then it won’t hurt to interact with them now and then. Say, by sharing a table at the cafeteria or having a one-on-one mentorship session if it’s a senior. Basically, be in the company of colleagues who matter and stay away from toxic ones.

7. Reward yourself frequently

Celebrating accomplishments, no matter how small or big they are, is another great solution to how to be motivated at work. If you’ve earned enough vacation leaves and have the resources to travel, then do it. If not, a simple me time at a favorite restaurant or a picnic at your go-to park should do. When you reward yourself for completing or even just being able to start something at work, you’re more likely to stay optimistic about it.

8. Do things one at a time

Maybe one of the main reasons you’re feeling burnt out is because you’re struggling to manage multiple things at once. That may prove impressive to your superior and even efficient if you’re considering deadlines. But at the end of the day, it’s not the quality of your work alone that you’re possibly compromising. But also, your well-being and overall effectiveness as part of a larger team. So, make it a point to organize your tasks (split them if you have to) so you’re not overwhelming yourself.

9. Shake up your workspace

Love plants? Then add a pot or two of your favorite ones onto your table. Have a new keyboard or mousepad that you really enjoy? Consider buying new ones for your office too. What about music? If you haven’t yet, try creating a personalized playlist to help you have the motivation you need. Who knows? You might end up being more productive with a playlist of the best upbeat office songs. Or feel relaxed with one of softer and slower tunes. Really, it’s all up to you!

10. Look at things from a bigger picture

When you’re feeling apathetic about work, sometimes it may be because you’re focusing too much on a single unpleasant experience. And also, not paying enough attention to the good things that have happened or are about to take place. Find some responsibilities extremely challenging? Look back at how far you’ve come that’s led you to this moment. Feel that your work has little impact? Try to learn more about it with your boss and colleagues. You might find that you’re already contributing a great deal!

Also read: What Makes Filipino Employees Loyal To A Company? Here Are 10 Reasons

Importance Of Motivation At Workplace

While these tips can do amazing things to how you view your work, it’s also important to know when it’s time to let go. If you’re feeling really unmotivated and nothing is fixing it, it may be time for you to look for a new job and open up a new chapter in your life.

But before you get there, it’s crucial that you understand the importance of finding motivation in the workplace. In addition, realize how it’s not always the sole responsibility of your employer. When you do, you might discover that you simply aren’t resorting to the right ways to motivate yourself and need to consider alternatives. Here are why it’s important to do so:

You will be quicker with your tasks

When you have work motivation, it will be easy for you to concentrate on your tasks at hand. Thereby avoiding distractions that will keep you from meeting deadlines. This way, you will not only leave a good mark on your teammates and leaders for being an efficient employee. But you will also have more time to accomplish smaller tasks that you’ve been planning to do. These can include mentoring a colleague in need, or even enjoying longer work breaks because you’ve finished off your priorities.

You’ll help the company use its resources wisely

It’s not just you suffering in the long term when you’re underperforming at work. The company can be affected too, as a result of resources lost to unproductive, unmotivated employees.

You’re keeping yourself healthy

It may seem like you’re only training yourself to help your workplace more when you motivate yourself. But what you might not instantly discover is that you’re also helping yourself in ways you never knew. By finding resources to keep your spirits up when you’re feeling challenged and stressed, you’re already giving yourself the chance to revitalize your lifestyle, from your mindset to habits. 

So, What Motivates You At Work?

With everything that has been said, you should now have a better understanding of what it takes to keep yourself motivated in the workplace. And, what you can do to make the most of your job when it simply isn’t the time to give in.

To further help you with that, explore JobStreet now to #SEEKBetter ways to motivate yourself at work. Download the JobStreet app on Google Play or App Store, then create or update your JobStreet profile. For more useful career guides, visit Career Resources.