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The guide to fixing your lack of motivation at work

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CV Whizz Team
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CV Whizz Team
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Updated on June 12, 2024

A happy workplace is a successful workplace. The same can be said about a motivated workplace.

You may not believe it, but your motivation is essential, not only to you but to your company.

When you have motivation at work, you look forward to a new day and a new challenge.

Unfortunately, for many of us, we just do not look forward to the work week.

Of course, we would all rather be on holiday. Some occasional moments of sluggishness or boredom are also normal.

We are human beings after all, however it becomes a problem when you never look forward to your job.

If you hate your job, it won’t only affect you at the office. You could start to see negative changes in your personal life as well.

Finding motivation at work is critical for your happiness and professional development.

In the UK, around a third of employees said they felt a lack of motivation at work.

Obviously, this is not ideal.

That is why we have created a guide to help you recover your lost motivation at your workplace.

Different types of motivation

Understanding the different types of motivation can help you find your motivation at work.

Recognising the various motivations that exist can help you make your method of motivation.

Different types of motivation include:

  • Internal
  • Learning
  • Attitude
  • External
  • Goal-oriented

Knowing how to define these makes your job much simpler, which is trying to find a way to push yourself.

1. Internal motivation

This type of motivation comes from completing something that you enjoy.

Many of us have hobbies that we enjoy and feel a sense of fulfilment when we complete a task related to that hobby.

Work can be the same.

It’s wonderful to work in a profession you love, so if you need to make a change, don’t think twice about it.

Send your CV to a job that makes you feel content and can motivate you.

2. Learning motivation

Studying and training can also lead you to feel further motivated.

For example, completing a course related to your profession will help you feel more confident and further driven at the workplace.

The more skilled you become, the more motivation you’ll have.

3. Attitude motivation

You might be wondering, how does improving your self-image increase your motivation?

If you feel good about yourself as a person, then you’ll find motivation.

Volunteering is a good way of doing so. It’s an activity that will help you feel good about who you are.

4. External motivation

Being driven to earn a reward or avoid punishment is something that drives all of us.

It’s not a bad thing to push yourself to work hard if you feel it can earn you a raise. Doing so can give you extra motivation at work.

6. Goal-oriented motivation

Some employees are driven by completing goals. These goals can be both short term and long term.

The satisfaction of achieving these goals can keep you motivated.

Ways to increase your motivation at work

There are specific methods you can use to increase your desire to work.

Certain advice might work for some but may not work for others.

However, the advice on this list was expertly made, and it’s likely to help you overcome your lack of motivation at the workplace.

If you are open to some tried and tested methods, then you can give yourself a chance at finding your lost motivation.

The remedy to increasing your desire to work relies on you.

It depends on your desire to increase your motivation or make small adjustments to your lifestyle.

There are a few areas you’ll need to focus on, such as:

  • Your health
  • Your routine
  • Your mentality

The methods on this list do not belong to any specific industry.

You could be in a law firm, non-profit organisation, or restaurant. It does not make a difference.

If you have little to no motivation at work, try the advice below.

1. Give yourself realistic goals

This is something you probably have heard before. That’s because it works!

There are several reasons to try this out.

  • You are working on a long-term project
  • You have various tasks during a day
  • You are one of the last employees to arrive

These are things that most employees go through at one time or another.

If you have a long-term project, it can feel overwhelming. You are working tirelessly on it, and you just don’t see the end in sight….yet.

This can lead to losing motivation at work.

You can remedy this by setting short-term goals for yourself. Complete the project little by little.

Monday you can do a certain part, then on Tuesday complete 2 more sections.

The same goes for various small assignments you have to complete. Aim to complete a realistic number of tasks.

Being able to finish them will give you a morale boost.

Something else that is helpful is arriving to work early. This might be a big ask, but if you manage it, you will start to feel a strong desire to work.

Setting a goal to arrive before a certain time and doing it is an important accomplishment.

2. Acknowledge completed results

If you are an employee and have completed your goals for the day, what should you do?

Celebrate it, of course!

This does not mean you necessarily need to throw a party.

However, have a pint after work, go somewhere you enjoy, something to mark the occasion.

It’s a great idea to celebrate the success of a short-term goal, not only the large projects.

The same idea applies to any office or workplace manager.

Your employees will have no motivation at work if their achievements are not recognised.

You should be specific about what your employee has accomplished.

If they closed an important sale, make sure to praise them for it.

The worst thing for a manager to do is only appear when an employee makes a mistake.

3. Update your CV from time to time

As an employee, having a CV that looks complete is always a great idea.

Your experience and skills are constantly growing and improving at work. That makes your CV look much better than it did when you started.

However, you can find ways to make it better.

A remedy for lost motivation at work is to review your CV and try to add to it.

Review your CV, and take a course that helps fill any holes in your document. You can also add to the abilities you already have.

Doing this will give you loads of confidence that will help you feel motivated on the way to work.

4. Send your CV to other managers

If you feel your boss is the reason for your lack of motivation, you can always see what else is out there.

Thanks to online tools like LinkedIn, hiring managers can find your CV much faster than ever.

If you keep your online profile visible, hiring managers will review your profile constantly.

Make sure to keep an engaging and updated CV on your profile at all times!

5. Keep yourself charged during the day

In our fast-paced life, we often forget to properly keep our bodies well-nourished. Feeling energised is crucial to fighting a loss of motivation at work.

Make sure to have a proper breakfast before heading to your workplace.

Someone with no energy at work has no motivation at work.

Waking up early and giving yourself enough time to have a well-balanced breakfast will give you loads of energy.

Besides breakfast, you may be wondering if bringing food to work is a good idea?

It is a wise choice to bring food to work. Whether it is your lunch or for a snack during a break.

There are numerous benefits to bringing your own food.

  • Less expensive
  • You can choose a healthier option
  • Save time

Not only is it another chance to make sure you are well-nourished throughout the day, but you can also avoid unhealthy food choices.

Have your snack or lunch prepared at home in advance. That way, you are not tempted to visit a fast food location or buy a bag of crisps.

6. Take a Respite Now and Again

In a traditional 8-hour work day, we all need time to rest. You most likely do not need a siesta, but it’s very advantageous to take some moments to relax.

This is how taking regular breaks can benefit you:

  • Feel refreshed
  • You can refocus
  • Stay healthy

Remote work has become the new normal. While there are numerous advantages to remote work, staring at a screen for long periods is not one of them.

It’s essential to rest your eyes and stretch your legs when you are working on the computer.

If you are working at the office, it is favourable to stretch and reflect on non-work-related topics when you have the time.

Doing this will keep you focused and add to your motivation. Ultimately, you will become a more productive and happier employee.

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