7 Tips on Creating Workplace Motivation

7 Tips on Creating Workplace Motivation

Contributor: Dorothy Tannahill-Moran

Motivation is one of those interesting things. We think it should just drop out of the sky like magic but it never really does. We also don’t really think about how to create motivation for ourselves. However, we really can create it with the right tools.

First, let’s get on the same page about what motivation is. Motivation is what causes you to take action. Clearly, you’re at work so you do have some motivation because your action is going to work and performing your job. What we are talking about is feeling engaged and inspired about the actions you do take.

Let’s look at some of the tools you can use to get fully engaged and motivated in the workplace:

1. Change – There’s nothing like changing things to really get the juices going. You don’t want to change things just for the sake of changing; however, you want to change things that don’t work well.

With that, you must have a vision of what the right outcome would be and then you apply your steps to create the action for change.

2. Goals – Many times, the lack of motivation is due to a lack of direction or goals. Sit down and figure out what would really get you up in the morning and make that your goal.

Having a goal isn’t enough, though. It has to be a goal that you yearn for or have some emotions about. Once established, put together a plan for how you will achieve your goals.

Keep in mind SMART for goals = Specific, Measurable, Actionable,Resonate,Time bounded if you really are going to shot for something worth having

3. Be accountable – The vast majority of us want to do things but we’re really lazy about doing them. It’s often easier to diet or workout with someone because we have a person that is looking for us to perform. Find someone to hold you accountable to yourself and be willing to trade off the favor.

4. Clean up your own internal litter – We all have baggage, but sometimes we have so much of it cluttering up our life that it bogs us down and we fail to see what’s possible.

5. Surround yourself with the right people – Yes, your mother was right… it is important to hang out with the right people. In this case, hang out with people who are inspired and motivated as it will be contagious.

6. Research the issue – Find out from others what motivates them. In the process, you may hear something that would really be great for you. Don’t be afraid to copy what works.

7. Cop an attitude – Motivation creates more motivation. Look for it and it will be there. We often get hung up about our ability to control things in the workplace. The one thing we can control is our attitude and approach to various workplace challenges.

These tools for workplace motivation are simple to do which means there is nothing but you holding you up from trying them.