4 Ways to Motivate Yourself for Work Each Day

Guest post by  Jacelyn Thomas - Staying motivated to get up and go to work every morning at 9 am (or, god forbid, earlier) can be a real challenge. Even the most motivated of individuals have those days where they just don’t want to work. However, it is essential in today’s competitive job market that we stay active, alert, and motivated with our work. Employees who put in their full effort all the time are the ones that move on to bigger and brighter futures. We can likely all admit it—there are days that we are under motivated and fairly in active at work. Rather than waste your employers’ and your own time, find ways to stay motivated throughout your work day and before you go in.

Listen to Inspiring Music

While this may sound silly, music is a great way to really jazz you up about something. On your way to work, try blasting some inspirational tunes in the car. This can help wake you up and get excited about your day.

Also, if you are allowed or are able to work well with music playing during your work day, try playing fast paced, inspiration songs then too. This can help keep you on track and alert. Being energized about your work is one of the best ways to get things done efficiently. The key to a successful day at work is having a successful morning.

Wake up and put on your favorite music. Jump around and get ready for your day. Yes, it sounds like something a teenager does before her first day of school, but it works. Be excited and energized.

Reward Yourself

Just as you reward a dog for doing something right to encourage them to do it again, you should reward yourself. People respond to reward systems. We like getting rewarded for doing a good job.

Try telling yourself you will take yourself out to dinner when you finish a major milestone. This will encourage you to finish that task in a timely way and create a positive reinforcement system for yourself. While this may seem somewhat superficial, reward systems work even when self imposed. Set clear and achievable goals and decide on appropriate rewards for each step. Obviously, this can result in some erratic spending habits. Be smart.

Punish Yourself

Yes, just as you must reward a dog for doing well, you must also punish them. Try this technique on yourself and your work to find needed motivation. While many believe that positive reinforcement is the best route, for instances of self regulation sometimes a combination of positive and negative reinforcement is necessary.

Tell yourself that you are not allowed to watch your favorite television show or go out to eat with your friends until you get through your work goals. This will encourage you to get your work done and will discourage you from leaving things to the last minute in the future.

Of course, the most difficult part with both punishments and rewards that are self enforced is actually sticking to them. You have to be consistent with yourself. If you commit to using punishment and reward, be sure you follow through. This motivational technique can be really useful, but you have to make sure you actually enforce it consistently.

Create a Motivating Environment

Your work surroundings play a huge role into how productive and successful you are. One great way to find motivation throughout your work day is by working in a motivating environment. Try to minimize the number of distractions you have at and around your desk. Put up a calendar with all of your major goals clearly displayed on it. This will help you stay on track and find inspiration to work harder and more quickly.

Keep things in your work area neat and organized. Also, you can try putting up motivational notes around your house, so that you get little notes of inspiration throughout your morning routine. This can be a big pick me up before your day gets started.

Image credit, Anya Quinn

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