People are motivated by different things at work. Some thrive when they set high standards for themselves and exceed their own expectations. Others enjoy recognition and a sense of influence and being a role model for others. Some want predictability in a job and value working in a stable organization with routine operations and few changes. Other employees thrive and succeed in fast-paced, competitive, and unpredictable environments, as they give them energy and drive.
Knowing your motivation will help you make career decisions smartly. You will find genuine drivers for your motivation and can choose the environment where you can apply your skills best. Our motivation style quiz will reveal the best motivation for a person like you and recommend the best career options.
How to stay motivated at work?
No matter your preferred type of motivation, everyone feels unengaged at work at times. Here's how to keep your motivation high:
See the big picture
In any job you will face challenging, tough, and downright boring tasks. You might struggle to find the motivation to complete them. In such cases, it helps to look at the big picture of your career. Remind yourself why you wanted to work in this role and in this company, what skills you wanted to develop, and what is your reason to keep going. Such an approach not only will help you to stay on track, but also keep you open for new opportunities.
Break large projects into manageable chunks
Big tasks and assignments can be daunting. If you don't know where to start, break down the big assignment into small tasks and start completing them one by one. Thus, you will gain momentum and start seeing the progress, which will inspire you to keep going. Plus, you'll see if something goes wrong and can adjust the actions you and your team can take.
Set deadlines
Even if the task or project is not urgent, always set a deadline for it. If you don't you are likely to procrastinate on non-urgent tasks and struggle to stay on top of everything. On the flip side, knowing that you have a time limit will motivate you to use resources effectively, plus you'll have plenty of time to spend with your family and doing things you enjoy.
Create a daily routine
Having a detailed schedule can keep your motivation high. Here's how it works: when you know your scope of work in advance, you can make a to-do list in the morning or the night before. Thus, you won't waste time wondering what to do next and can just complete the tasks one by one.
Celebrate small wins
Reward yourself for success and small victories. If you completed a large task half an hour before the deadline, cleaned up your inbox, or received recognition for your work with colleagues, treat yourself to a cup of coffee, delicious dessert, or your favorite movie in the evening. As you reward yourself for small victories, you create positive reinforcement that will maintain your motivation at work.
Your work is no longer motivating? Let us help
If, despite knowing your motivation and working hard, you feel unhappy and unfulfilled, your job might not be the right fit for you. At ResumePerk, we've been helping clients to pursue their dream job for 10+ years now. Here's how we assist the job-seekers:
- Resume writing - recruiters spend only 7 seconds on each resume. With our attention-grabbing templates and result-oriented content, your resume will outshine the competition.
- Cover letters - want to show extra motivation for joining the company? Let us prepare a tailored cover letter focused on your most significant contributions and projects.
- LinkedIn profile - boost your online presence with a professionally developed, keyword-rich LinkedIn profile. Let employers find you online.
- Interview tips - our experts offer personalized interview guidance and tips that will help you ace any job interview and answer all questions with confidence.
Take the Motivation Quiz and Unlock Your Career Potential
Our insightful quiz will reveal what motivates you so you can achieve goals more effectively. Knowing your inner drive will help you find a company and a role that suits your personality and build a productive career. Save the quiz results for self-reflection or in case you seek help from a career consultant, and don't hesitate to reach out to us for custom resumes and other job application documents!