“There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving and that’s your self.” -Aldous Huxley
It’s 3:00 pm and you’re sitting at your desk staring mindlessly into your computer screen. You’re on your second coffee, you’ve read a million self-help books, but you still can’t find the will to keep working. Motivation evades you. No matter how hard we pump ourselves up on Sunday night, the Monday blues quietly creep up around 9:05 am. Here are five simple ways to increase motivation at work.
- Create your own, personalized routine. It’s important to create daily rituatls to keep you motivated. The same practice works for toddlers, it keeps them happy and content in the world.
- Write your motivation goals down. Jot them down on a piece of paper or open a new Google doc. Brainstorm what your perfect work day would be. Write down 3 – 5 goals about what you want to get done today, tomorrow, next year, 10 years, etc. Create a plan on how to meet these goals.
- Become your own life coach. When you feel yourself falling into your dark place, become your own personal life coach. Learn how to be optimistic and see the glass half full. Keep a collection of positive quotes handy (or this blog post!).
- Face your work fears. Are you avoiding a certain project at work? Are you worried about making your boss angry? Work fear is one of the leading causes of demotivation at work. Face your fears and you’ll be surprised with the results.
- Find your passion. You should enjoy your work. Some people don’t consider their work “work”. What do you love doing? When are you in your element? If you aren’t feeling it at work you should consider switching jobs or going back to school.
The best way to increase motivation at work is to keep at it. Stick to your routine and don’t give up. Reevaluate your plan every 3 – 6 months to see how it’s working for you. You should also think about your career choice if you’re consistently unmotivated for years at a time. We all have our down days but you should generally enjoy your job.
