I’m sure everyone has woken up on a Monday morning with the thought that we’d rather be doing anything else other than starting a new week of work. It’s no secret that loving your job can be hard at times. Perhaps your current role isn’t challenging you anymore and you’ve become bored, you don’t feel appreciated, you work with difficult people or you’re simply not learning anymore. If you’re finding it hard to stay motivated at work, there are a number of ways you can develop a positive attitude.
Change the way you view your job – become innovative
Have you become bored with your daily responsibilities? Have they become tedious? Or is there a specific task you really don’t enjoy doing? Maybe a fresh perspective is all you need to change your outlook and become motivated again. Work becomes mundane when we get used to certain situations or certain tasks that are no longer challenging. Look for little opportunities to tweak your daily work routine. Making small changes will help you feel refreshed and keep you engaged.
Remember the bigger picture
We often get caught up in the little things and forget the bigger picture. You may find yourself stressing over a disagreement with a colleague or get frustrated when something doesn’t transpire the way you anticipated. It’s important to remember to look beyond the situation in isolation and remind yourself of the grand scheme of things. One way to put little problems into perspective is to ask yourself questions like, ‘Will this still affect me in 12 months?’ If no, then it’s not worth your energy!
Learning and development
We find more candidates on the market are putting extra importance on learning and development opportunities rather than salary increases when looking for a new position. Doing the same tasks over and over again can be monotonous and when we find ourselves not developing new skills our daily responsibilities no longer become challenging. If this is happening to you, ask your manager if there training opportunities where you can upskill. It’s important to communicate that you want to stay with the company, however, want to grow your skillset. Even if there are no immediate opportunities, your manager will know of your ambition and intentions and can enrol you on the next training schedule.
Develop friendships within the workplace
We spend more time with our colleagues than with our friends and family, so why not make the most of it and make some friends! Workplace friendships can help you feel more settled, comfortable and even more productive in your role. It helps to manage your workday effectively so you can make time for a break, where you can go for a coffee or a walk with colleagues. This can help clear your head and keep you engaged!
Focus on what you LOVE
We spend 60% of our lives at work. If we’re thinking negatively about our jobs, that negativity can transfer into our personal lives and become detrimental to our family, friends and partners. Instead of focusing on the negative aspects, try to focus on the positive. Why did you start working in your role or for this company in the first place? Identify what you love and stay focused on the positive aspects. Make a list of all the things you love about your job, the company you work for or your team. Keep this list close and if you’re ever feeling negative refer back to it.
Make your desk as comfortable as possible
If you are spending most of the day at your desk, make sure it’s pleasant and an area you enjoy spending time at. If your work allows it, try adding a few personal items, like photos of your friends or family, a small plant, fish or even some inspirational quotes to keep you motivated throughout the day.
Routine
Routines are important and most people need to be in a routine to be productive at work. Being in a routine allows you to clearly manage your daily goals and maintain a positive work-life balance. We all live busy lives and whilst work is important, we also need to make time for the things we love outside of the office, whether that’s spending time with loved ones or enjoying your hobbies. For example, if you like going to the gym, get into a routine of training before you get to the office so you have all day to focus on work. Or you may decide to set a certain day of the week to spend time with your partner which allows you to focus on your tasks for that day so you are out that door on time.
If you are really struggling with motivation and not LOVING your job, maybe it’s time to seek new opportunities. Before you do, make sure you take some time to think about the above and question if you’re considering a change for the right reasons. Have a look at all our latest job listings.