Five Ways to Be More Motivated in Your Current Employment

Finding motivation at work before COVID-19 was hard enough, but now that we are deep into it even though many workers were either laid off or working remotely, motivation is still a distant goal. Adjusting to the new norm of returning to work in a brick-and-mortar building or working at home is challenging.

Every industry including the stock market and its stock price targets is experiencing radical changes that are taking place around the world. Staying motivated as the weeks and months go by is an important step.

Yes, everyone’s work experience has changed. When we are motivated, we think more clearly and our minds are open to new ideas. Keeping motivated helps keep us passionate about work. There are steps we can take to help boost motivation. Here are five tips that can help you both mentally and physically.

1. Now is the perfect time to take care of your mental and emotional state. If you are anxious or stressed and you continue to push yourself, you will only wind up burning yourself out without realizing it. Set some time aside to practice caring for yourself. Would you like to take up a new hobby?

Would you like to visit a museum, go for a leisurely walk, etc.? Whatever you need to do to take care of yourself is what you should do. Redirecting your work thoughts to a relaxing feeling helps to motivate your brain and re-energize your spirit. You will soon find that you feel less tired and emotionally happier.

2. If your home is now an office, you can stay motivated if you treat your remote work like you do if you were going outside the home to work. What this means, is that you must practice getting up early, eat breakfast, get dressed, and make a schedule for yourself to help you stay motivated.

Keep your home office area free from distractions and decluttered. Cut out some time to take breaks. But, don’t get caught up in household duties. Take time to go over your work schedule and think of new work techniques that will lessen your tasks.

Also, working at home is too easy to fall into the trap of procrastination. Even if you don’t feel like working on a project, do it anyway by creating a daily routine. Once you start this habit it will become normal and not a task that is stressful.

3. Stay in touch with managers, colleagues, or co-workers. Share your ideas and listen to comments that may inspire you. You can also share your concerns with the people you work with. They may provide a different perspective and improve a new outlook for work projects or even a personal goal.

Now that you have been motivated, do not forget that you are not an island. You can also motivate others around you. When you encourage others, you encourage yourself. When you help motivate others, you too become motivated!

For example, if you have a large project that is due, think about dividing it into smaller sections. Don’t try to tackle the whole thing, especially if there is a time constraint problem because it will become too overwhelming.

4. Practice remaining positive. Keeping yourself motivated is not easy, but it is worth the journey. Remember why you are performing a specific task. Ask yourself if your goals still fit into why this part of your life remains inspiring.
5. Remember to focus on your strengths instead of what you are less experienced at. Do not look at how others who seem to rise higher in their goals than you are. Stay on the path that is working for you and not someone else. Also, remember that the fear of failing is a great motivator.

Psychologists and professional career specialists always state that we should reward ourselves. When you reach a specific level or having achieved a stepping-stone goal, give yourself a reward. Remember that you should reward yourself for small and large achievements.

What your reward can be is entirely up to you. To keep motivated, there is nothing better than a trip reward or purchasing something that you have had your eyes on. Treating yourself to a personal award is definitely a self-motivating factor for you to continue working diligently.

The great Arthur Ashe often spoke a phrase which was his motivating slogan: “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” Take small steps for motivation and keep moving forward.