The fact is that everyone has bad days. Motivation can sometimes be hard to come by, even for the most professional folks in the industry. Long days and hard work on site can feel tiring. Or maybe you’re going through some personal issues at home. Any number of things can impact your attitude and motivation levels on the job. But whatever it is that is dragging you down, know that there are some simple things you can do to help you get through your workday.
Take a Break
Sometimes a lack of motivation comes from a feeling of overwork or overwhelm. To reignite that motivational flame, try taking a break. There is a reason lunch breaks and coffee breaks are woven into the fabric of our professional lives. Workers need to take a little time to recuperate before they can hit the ground running again. Make sure you take advantage of that downtime. Allow yourself to fully recharge and refocus so that when you are back on the job, you can bring your A-game.
Pay Attention to Your Health
Similarly, it’s downright near impossible to stay motivated when you are unwell. Make sure you are taking care of yourself in order to stay productive. Don’t let yourself fall back on the caffeine or sugar motivation pitfalls either. While we’ve all learned to appreciate the energy highs and lows associated with caffeine and sugar consumption, it’s not a great way to motivate yourself when what you really need is healthy food and a good night’s sleep. A little bit here and there can be enough to help you power through on a tough day. But drinking enough water and eating healthy food throughout the workday will keep your energy level high and your mind more productive at a steady pace.
Set Goals that Inspire You
When it comes to evaluating your career, it’s important to be honest about where you are and where you want to be. Setting small, achievable goals is a good tactic to get you through your workday or month, but you also need something big to aim for so that you are inspired in the long term. Set challenging goals that make you want to get out of bed in the morning, do your best work, and celebrate when you achieve your smaller goals. Focus on achievements that are important to you and that you will value in the long run, rather than just reasonable achievements that help you get your work done. Don’t focus on goals that are completely unreasonable or which have no clear path to achievement. But don’t sell yourself short by setting a goal that you have no vested interest in the outcome either. Make it a priority and go to work every day with that goal at the top of your mind.
Get Focused
Have you ever really gotten into the zone at work? Where you are so focused that you accomplish more than you originally thought possible? That can be super motivating. Do what you need to create a positive environment that supports your need to focus and accomplish tasks at scale. If that means maintaining a quiet workspace, removing distractions (like phone calls, emails, internet access, etc.), then do what you need to get things done. Start your day with your hardest task to make sure it’s done and out of the way first. Momentum is a great motivator, so take it one step at a time. Lock down those small wins and before you know it, you’ll be checking things off your to-do list faster than you’d thought you could.
There’s also something to be said about practicing gratitude for your work, and reframing your motivation struggles to really dig into what your challenges are. If one of your challenges is in finding a new job this summer, connect with the team at Bergman Brothers today. We can help you find what you’re looking for.
