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No matter how much you enjoy your career, you’ll likely to go through what can only be defined as slumps. At times you may even find yourself questioning whether or not this is the job or career for you. But if you make it a priority to keep yourself motivated, you’ll find that you remain a high-functioning employee. And your employer will appreciate the self-motivation, because a slump is really no excuse to not deliver on work expectations.
It’s a good idea to really unpack whether you’re in a slump at work, because you are truly unhappy, or whether it’s something else. Life can get in the way of your happiness at work and it’s easy to blame work when nothing else is going right. However, you should make an effort to remain motivated at the office. This is the place you spend the majority of your working hours. It should be somewhere you want to be and where, no matter what else is happening, you’re able to still perform at optimum efficiency.
Here’s how to keep yourself motivated and on top of your work game.
Make a to-do list
In high school the seriously academic students were making lists. At work it seems the personal and executive assistants are always making lists. But lists are important for everyone no matter your position. This is a great way to outline what you need to finish up each day. It’ll help you track your progress and the time you’re spending on various tasks. What’s more, you feel a sense of achievement every time you’re able to cross out a task on your list. This practice helps you feel like you’ve lightened your workload for the day or the week.
Take breaks
It’s important to take regular breaks during the work day. If you’re able to go outside for some fresh air then do so. Go for a walk to the shops, or simply get up and visit someone in a different department. Water coolers and coffee stations are two of the most popular areas in businesses because it’s a real breakaway from your desk. You’re able to catch up with colleagues and it provides time away from your screen. You need to keep the body moving and the mind sharp, and taking breaks will do this for you.
Study further
Those who are feeling a bit stuck in their careers sometimes need a change of direction to feel inspired again. But this doesn’t mean you have to shift career focus entirely. You can add to your already growing career by studying further.
There are a wealth of courses available that you can complete online or afterhours. And if you get stuck because you’re not sure what the best thing is to study consider then look into marketing courses, or even increasing your business management skills. These are broad courses but both will be beneficial to you no matter what job you’re currently in or where you see yourself in five years.
Reward system
Reward yourself with a treat or a break or a day’s leave or anything that’ll make you look forward to getting your work done. This helps you meet deadlines or even finish your work ahead of time, which will only assist you in the long run. Being known as an employee who delivers quality on time every time is a good move.
A little reward for getting this right consistently will motivate you in your daily duties and provide you with a bit of positive affirmation. Not every manager or boss is good at positively affirming their team members, so finding a way to do this for yourself is important.
Spruce up your professional look
Nice clothes never hurt anyone. In fact, there’s a reason why people say you should “dress for success” or “dress for the job you want not the one you have”. Looking good and feeling good everyday at work helps you remain motivated as you’ll exude more confidence and feel more in control.
If you want to change your look then phase in your new getup. Start slowly, otherwise you’ll end up with unnecessary attention which can be difficult to manage. Consider pairing a smart jacket with your best pair of jeans and clean sneakers before rocking a full power suit. Add some red lipstick to your casual look before donning your six inch heels. Of course, most people will compliment you but you’ll be the talk of the office if you do anything drastic.
In the big, bad working world you have to look out for number one, and that’s you. No one can help you unless you help yourself. By paying attention to small details for keeping yourself motivated, you’ll be able to squash any negative feelings that creep up on you.