Any job can become a pain if you do not feel motivated enough to do it. When you are not motivated, it shows. You will soon find yourself passed over for raises and promotions. You will not be considered for important projects or special training programs.

In the end, you are the only one to suffer due to your low motivation - and your company may fire you if your performance does not show improvement.

Most companies send their employees for motivational training programs once a year or so. Throughout the year, however, you are on your own. It is your own job that should keep you motivated.

Define Your Goals

When you are new on the job, you have ideas to achieve your goals. You have dreams and hopes to arouse your enthusiasm and you are eager to do your best.

But as you settle down, those dreams may slowly vanish. Don't let that happen. Turn your dreams into clear goals and always remind yourself of them whenever you feel low.

Make a Game Plan

Don't let your goals be just a dream. Make solid efforts to achieve them. You will need to make a blueprint, or a game plan, to achieve your goals.

Analyze what it will take to get there and how you can do it. Then organize yourself and focus on achieving those goals coupled with your hard work.

Keep Learning

The best way to stave off boredom on the job is to keep learning more. When you have an open mind, you can easily absorb new information and learn new skills.

Volunteer for training sessions and seminars, as your willingness to learn will surely impress your superiors.

Be Proud of Your Successes

Nothing motivates you better than your own successes. When you achieve a goal or you are successful in the task at hand, you are bound to feel proud.

Ride this wave of success and you will be surprised to find how this type of motivation will carry you forward in other areas as well.

Take Criticism Positively

Everyone hates criticism - but a successful person views criticism as an opportunity to improve.
Do some introspection and find out why you were criticized and how you can turn it to your advantage and convert the criticism to your favor. Nobody is perfect, and we all need to be reminded of our shortcomings once in a while.

Think Positive

The key to remain motivated throughout your career is positive thinking. You can only conquer your problems when you look at the bright side of harsh situations.

Read Motivational Books

Listen to motivational music and lectures regularly to stay self-motivated. When you are motivated, there is nothing that you cannot achieve.

The key is that motivation comes from within.

Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solutions - Six Sigma Online ( http://www.sixsigmaonline.org ) offers online six sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.