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Here’s the last part of the three-part series, the best tips to motivate yourself at work below:
7. Take breaks.
Remember, even machines get turned off once in a while, and needs periodic maintenance.
For Catholics, even God himself rested on the seventh day after creation.
If you always feel that you don’t have enough time and there are just too many things that need to be done or deadlines to meet, you will end up either doing less work, or haphazard work which will lead to more stress, thus decreasing your motivation.
The busier you are, the more necessary it is for you to take breaks.
You need daily mini-breaks – taking 5 to 10 minutes every hour to rest your eyes and stretch.
You also need to take mini-breaks to hydrate and maybe munch on snacks – to re-energize your body and break away from the routine of your tasks.
Maximize your weekends, or take a day-off each week to help you refresh, recharge, and get you back on track when you deal with your work challenges again.
If there’s a particularly pressing issue you have to deal with in the office, a mini vacation (doesn’t have to be in a far, expensive place), will help you by getting you out of the toxic environment, and see things with a brand new perspective.
8. Focus on your WHY.
At the end of the day,
amidst the ton load of work that you have to do,
tolerating a boss that seems to be hell bent on being your worst nightmare,
you always have to go back to the reason WHY you are in this job in the first place.
Whatever your reason –
if it’s for long term career growth, or
to learn a skill and know the inside-outs of the trade when you set-up your own business, or
simply the need for a salary to be able to meet your daily needs,
no matter how big or small your reason is, focus on that.
Focusing on the reason motivates you to stick it through the stressful times.
Even if your job is not the ideal, dream job that you are hoping for.
Some people blame their personal circumstances for being stuck in a job that they don’t like, hence the negative attitude and mediocre performance.
I read this very interesting advice from one of our local actresses –
“Dapat para kang munggo. Kahit saan ka itapon, tutubo ka. Kahit anong trabahong pasukan mo, kayanin mo, dahil diyan ka kikita.” – Rosanna Roces, Yes Magazine, August 2000
Treat your job as a stepping stone towards your bigger dreams in life. It may not seem clear as to how your current job is correlated to your dreams, but think of your job as a MEANS to achieving your dream.
For example: you want to be a singer yet you are a chemical engineer. The salary itself, if you’re disciplined enough to save (which you should be – more on this topic soon), then you’ll be able to pay for those voice lessons. Or your salary can support a hobby of yours which could eventually lead to another career.
Treat your job as a great opportunity that would lead to a better life. Keep in mind and apply the basic tips that we mentioned above. Mondays will no longer be dreadful to you
More articles on this topic coming soon.
• DP sources and inspiration: *U.B.E., ineedmotivation.com, Yes Magazine for the quote, and feastalabang talks
*U.B.E. – DP’s Universal Bank of Experience