10 Tips for Keeping Yourself Motivated at Your Job

When you show up to the same workplace every day to perform the same tasks over and over again, even your dream job can start to lose its luster. So how exactly are you supposed to stay motivated at work day in and day out? How can you prevent your job from becoming a grind?

If you find yourself unmotivated at work, a few simple changes could go a long way toward reigniting the fire that led you to apply for the job in the first place. So here are 10 tricks to keep in mind if you find yourself losing motivation in the workplace:

1. Get enough sleep

You can’t expect to have the energy to knock out assignment after assignment if you’re exhausted every morning you show up for work. Sleep experts recommend adults get between seven and nine hours of sleep each night. If you don’t get enough sleep, it’ll be nearly impossible to concentrate once you show up to work.

2. Make a to-do list for the next day before you leave work

When you have so many responsibilities, it can be hard to find the motivation to get cracking on any of them. When you head into the workplace, make a quick to-do list that highlights a few priorities you hope to get started on. Crossing tasks off your list is inspiring by itself.

3. Take regular breaks

SOURCE: giphy.com

You can’t expect to sit down at your desk and just crank out work all day long. As you move through your day, force yourself to take short breaks at regular intervals. You might want to work for 50 minutes and then take 10 minutes off, for example.

4. Eat healthy foods

The foods you eat fuel your body. If you’re guzzling soda and inhaling potato chips all day long, crippling fatigue may only be a minute or two away. The healthier you eat, the more energy you’ll have to tackle your work.

5. Stay on top of new developments

Just because you’re gainfully employed doesn’t mean you have to stop learning altogether. To stay inspired at work, stay current on all of the new developments happening in your industry. While you’re at it, share them with your coworkers too.

6. Get enough exercise

SOURCE: giphy.com

Not only is sitting down all day bad for your health, it can seriously stifle your productivity. Incorporate exercise into your routine, and you should have more energy to tackle your work.

7. Clean your workspace

Clutter causes fatigue. You can’t exactly expect to knock it out of the park if your desk looks like it was just hit by a tornado. Clean your workspace. You’ll be surprised out how motivated you can become when you’re not staring at junk all day.

8. Help your coworkers

According to our Employee Engagement Report, nearly 70% of workers feel as though there isn’t enough time to get everything done each week. When your schedule warrants it, help take a load off your coworkers’ plates. They’ll appreciate your support, and you’ll grow closer. Strong relationships with coworkers should inspire you to reach your full potential.

9. Brainstorm new ideas

SOURCE: giphy.com

From time to time, we all need to try something new in the office. Whether that’s undertaking a pet project, helping launch a new initiative, or planning a team-building exercise doesn’t matter. Sometimes you just need to switch things up.

10. Ask for feedback

If you’re cranking out assignment after assignment, there’s a good chance you want someone to at least acknowledge your hard work. Unfortunately, some workers find feedback becoming increasingly scarce. If you find yourself in that category, ask your boss — or even a peer — to offer constructive criticism about your work. The goal should be continuous improvement.

It's easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of lack of motivation, but in the end, you do have the choice to lift yourself back up again. Taking it upon yourself to stay motivated will help you develop your own professional skills and even build healthy relationships among your coworkers.

RELATED POSTS:

• 29 Funny Yet Motivational Quotes for Employees
• 4 Proven Employee Recognition Ideas to Motivate Your Team