How To Get Motivated at Work

In order to be successful in your career, you have to learn the best ways to get motivated at work, even when it seems impossible to even lift a finger. Finding motivation is unique to each person, but this does not mean it is impossible to find the best methods for your work ethic.

So no matter how much motivation you might be lacking, try giving each of these 10 ways to get motivated at work a try; you might just find your saving grace when your willpower is not enough to get you through the day.

Create a to-do list.

The first tip we're going to offer to get motivated at work is to write up with a to-do list first thing during the day, whether this is simply jotting down your plan for the day on a piece of paper, on your phone, or on a document on your work computer—whatever your preference is will work.

Having a list of the things you need to get done is something that will not only allow you to look forward to checking off the boxes as you work, but it will allow you to better gauge the responsibilities you have for the day. It's a great way to pace yourself, and keep from overwhelming yourself.

Ask for feedback.

An incredible way to get motivated at work is to ask for feedback from your employers and coworkers. Though this can seem scary at first, it can also work as a great tool to motivate you to do your best at your job.

Consult a supervisor or colleague and ask if they think you are doing a good job. Feeling appreciated may spark a great deal of motivation. And on the other hand, ask if there is room for improvement, which there always is. This way, you can find a goal to reach, and a reason to continue doing your best at your job. And, you can ask for career advice.

Let go of things you can't control.

Stressing yourself out about things that you cannot control is not beneficial in the slightest. Though this is inevitable every now and then, being able to let go of issues that are not going to be solved by anything you can do is one of the best ways to regain focus, and find the motivation to work on the things that you can complete.

This can even be as little as letting go of the fact that you will not be able to complete your assignments by the end of the day; accept this, and move on. This will eliminate the issue of putting more energy into things that cannot be changed and rather using this energy to be proactive in your other tasks at work. If you can't control it, let it go.

Take breaks when necessary.

Overworking yourself is the best way to self-sabotage your work ethic. As one of the best ways to get motivated at work, take a break! You need a break in order to refocus on your work, and just to remain sane, and prevent burning out. Much like you wouldn't begin a long run with a sprint, you need to pace yourself, and allow yourself to take a breather every once in a while.

While you are focused on a project or task at hand, it is easy to become invested in the project, but allowing yourself to take a few minutes to do nothing related to your work will allow you to maintain your stamina throughout the work day, especially if you have long hours.

Reward yourself.

Related to allowing yourself a break, you should also reward yourself at work. If you feel as if you are not appreciated by your supervisors, you should at least feel appreciated by yourself.

This can be as simple as allowing yourself to take a walk down the block to get some fresh air, or allowing yourself something as little as a cup of ice cream after you've reached a deadline. Motivation needs an end result to be produced, and providing a reward at the end of the tunnel will get you through the day, each step at a time.

Have a complete understanding of what you are providing for the company.

In order to find motivation at your workplace, you must fully understand the company you are providing and working for. If you can't answer the question, "why?" when asked about what you provide for the company, you're not working correctly. Being able to completely understand why you are doing what you are doing will allow you to get motivated at work.

And if you feel as if you have an understanding of your position, but still can't answer why you are providing what you are, you may be at the wrong job.

Dress sharp for work.

What might be a bizarre tip to get motivated at work, dressing nicely might not be a motivation while you are stuck in the moment, but this tip will certainly help you to find the motivation to get up out of bed and into the office.

Looking nice will help you feel nice, and finding the best clothing for the workplace will help you to feel confident and better succeed in your job. People who look good feel good, so you're going to want to spend a few extra minutes in the morning to be sure of this. Watch the difference it makes throughout your day, compared to if you show up to work in the same old outfit with wrinkles.

Don't solely rely on willpower.

Never rely solely on willpower. This is because it will easily run out, and especially after working at a job for quite a while, your willpower might not be consistent day to day. So instead of doing this to get motivated at work, you must rely on the routine, habits, and end results to get you through each of your tasks.

Much like you cannot rely on motivation to get you to the gym every day, you must allow yourself to fall into the routine of constantly getting your work done, rather than relying on a sudden burst of energy to power through the assignments.

Get to know your coworkers.

A great way to find the motivation to not only do a great job at your workplace, but to also enjoy your job more, you should try to get to know your coworkers. Making an effort to become acquainted and friendly with the people you work with will help you to look forward to clocking in each day.

This way, you can become more comfortable with your workplace as a whole, and allow yourself to better understand the company, and find a more personal attachment to your workplace.

Ask for a raise.

To complete our list of the best ways to get motivated at work, we're suggesting to ask for a raise! Though this isn't for everyone, obviously, it is certainly an option for those who deserve it, and have worked their butts off in the office they currently are partnered with.

If you believe that you are working harder than you are being paid for, you should ask for a raise in your salary. If you love what you do, and aren't satisfied with the income, this will help you find motivation in many ways. Though it might seem superficial, you will be able to remind your boss of your accomplishments, and make them aware of the hard work you provide for the company each day.