Top Tips for Staying Motivated at Work

By: Maggie Lonsdale BA (hons) - Updated: 28 Sep 2012 | *Discuss

 

There will be an inevitable ebb and flow in your job - some weeks the projects you are working on seem to play to your strengths, offering you endless challenges and praise, yet some weeks feel like a hundred hours sitting at your desk while life passes you by.

It may be that you are demotivated in your job because you are actually keen to make a change and look for a role that is more suited to your skills and experience, but if you are simply going through one of those slow weeks, here are a few ideas of how to keep focused and positive.

• Don't allow your standards to drop - although you may be feeling like it doesn't matter, when you are back to yourself, it will be more hassle to re-do work or make amends
• If you are finding it hard to concentrate at work because you are dealing with personal issues, see if you can take a couple of days off to deal with the situation and look after yourself. Do not allow your partner/parents/children to call you all day, every day as it will be even harder for you to give your work the concentration it deserves. Set aside time at weekends to focus on your personal issues, or, if they are particularly serious, ask your boss or HR department for some compassionate leave.
• Try to see the value in the project you are working on - if you are involved in a particularly tedious task, rather than keep reminding yourself how pointless it is, see if there is an aspect of the project that you are more interested in. There may be a presentation that you can work on, a treat for the team on completion or a new skill you can learn.
• If you are demotivated because you cannot see any progression in your role, you could request a review from your boss or line manager. If you ask for it in the right way, you will be seen as keen to upgrade or reactivate your passion for your job. Say you are feeling a bit lost and would like some pointers on what you could be doing better or differently. Ask for feedback and then use it to your advantage.
• Find out if there are teams, committees or groups within your workplace that you could be involved in. You may find that there are people will similar interests in other departments or areas of your company that you were not aware of. These could be both social and business focused - for example, there may be a five a side football team or a group that organises the Christmas party.
• Remember why you wanted this job in the first place - think back to what appealed to you in the job advert or at your interview. Perhaps you have allowed yourself to become stagnant in your role and are your own worst enemy. Perhaps there are promotional or training opportunities that would boost your commitment and enjoyment. Are you taking all the advantages of the job?

There are as many ways to increase your motivation as there are for being demotivated. If you truly feel like you want to stay in your job and want to make the most of it, you have taken the first step in moving away from the feelings you have at the moment. Commit to improvement and the increased motivation will follow.

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