7 Ways to Stay Motivated at Work

No matter how much you enjoy your job, there will always be days when it feels difficult to get started and even harder, keep yourself motivated, especially if you’ve been in the same role for a long time. Every now and then you might need a little pick me up to keep you focused. 

Luckily, there are some simple steps you can follow to help you find your motivation again. Introduce these into your daily routine and you’ll get yourself back on track (and stay motivated at work) in no time! 

1) Make to-do lists

One of the best ways to keep yourself organised and motivated, is by making the most of to-do lists. It can be helpful to start each morning by making a list of tasks you need to complete that day.

This will not only help you to visualise what you have to do and manage your time effectively, but it’s also very motivating to watch as you check off tasks throughout the day. 

2) Take a break

Every now and then, be sure to take a break. Whether this is to get yourself a drink, go for a walk or pop to the shop. Taking regular breaks is important to help clear your mind and refresh. This is especially true if you’re staring at a screen all day – you need to take some time away from your desk. 

It’s also important that you take your lunch break. Often we’re guilty of eating at our desks or not taking a break at all! Getting out of the office for some fresh air, even just for 10 minutes, can work wonders for your productivity and motivation. 

3) Reward yourself 

Incentivise yourself to complete tasks and tick them off your list. For example, once you’ve finished a task you might choose to make yourself a tea or coffee or perhaps you’ve got an afternoon snack stashed away in your draw. Don’t get it out or put the kettle on until you’ve completed the job at hand, then reward yourself once it’s done. This can boost your motivation, particularly during the afternoon slump!

4) Break down tasks  

If you’ve got big projects to work on, it’s best to break these down into smaller, more manageable tasks. This will make your workload feel less overwhelming and is a great tool for motivating you to move onto the next task. Each step that you take brings you closer to completion, so instead of becoming completely swallowed by a project, you can take it one step at a time. 

5) Create a strong work-life balance 

One of the most important parts of staying motivated is enjoying what you do, and work-life balance plays a big role in this. If you’re always at work and don’t make time for yourself to relax and recharge, then you could begin to fall out of love with your job. 

As such, getting the balance right is key. Be careful not to do too much overtime unless absolutely necessary and make sure you switch off after work. 

After all, shared work drives and access to emails makes it hard to leave work behind. So set yourself a strict rule not to continue working once you have left the office. This will ensure you arrive for work each day feeling refreshed and ready to get started! 

6) Set yourself goals 

Setting yourself goals is a great way to keep yourself motivated. These should be smart and achievable goals, which give you direction and something to keep working towards. These could be smaller objectives such as organising your workspace and completing a certain project, to bigger career aims such as securing yourself a promotion. 

Having targets in place also ensures you’re always working towards something. After all, no one wants to be left feeling like they’re just going through the motions, turning up to work each day just because they have to. Having career goals can help you feel motivated and driven. 

7) Cut yourself some slack 

Most importantly, remember that you’re only human. There’s only so much you can achieve in a day and if you push yourself too hard you might eventually burn out. 

Alternatively, you might end up feeling overworked and no longer enjoying your job. So follow the steps above to keep on top of your workload and don’t put too much pressure on yourself. 

Are you ready to feel motivated? 

Follow these simple tips to ensure that you’re on top of your workload and achieving a good work-life balance. These small but effective steps can make all the difference to your daily routine, to help you stay motivated at work!