We all have those days at work. You forget to send an email, you miss a meeting, you don’t meet your deadline. It’s easy to lose focus, and before you know it, you’ve lost your momentum and can’t seem to get anything done. Here’s our 5-step-guide on how to remain motivated when you’re not having a productive day.
Take a Break
This might seem like the most unwise advice you can give, but sometimes it helps to have a pause, make yourself a tea or coffee, eat something and talk to a colleague. If you’re not feeling sociable, go for a quick 5-minute walk to clear your head and take your mind off your task. Hopefully, once you’ve returned to your desk, you’ll be ready to hit the ground running.
Ask for Help
Been bombarded with tasks? If you open your emails and you’ve got too many jobs but too little time, it’s easy to get so overwhelmed, you don’t end up doing any. Prioritise the most important tasks and see if any colleagues are able to step in and help out. Not only will this lighten your load, it helps to build team camaraderie and facilitates communication!
Write Down Positive Feedback
On good days, we never seem to take in the compliments and thanks we receive from others. On bad days, however, it’s easy for criticism or negative feedback to stick in your mind. Get yourself a journal and note down any positive comments your colleagues or boss has made and keep it by your desk. When you’re not feeling so inspired, open it up to remind yourself of your capabilities and your achievements – it can be the fuel you need to carry on the day.
Seek out Opportunities
Got a spare five minutes at work? Stuck on a task and feeling bored? Take some time out to do something different. Research current news in your industry, read an inspiring article by a pioneer in your field, or check out any new developments and then, jot it down. Spending a mere few minutes discovering something new to inspire you can prove useful for work productivity and means you might have something of value to mention in your next meeting!
Get Involved with a Work Project
Are you the sort of person who goes to work, works, then goes home? If you do, and you like that, good for you! If, however, you feel like something is missing, why not get involved with work projects? Whether it’s joining a network, becoming a part of a sports club or charity event, or even attending work drinks or work dos, getting involved with work outside of work can help to motivate you!
Written by Mireille Harper | Tw: mircassandra | Insta: mireillecassandraharper | Web: cassandracamille.co.uk