It’s so easy to get buried in a humdrum routine at work. Often it’s easy to believe you’re being a good employee when you report for work and do all that’s required from you, even if the work you turn in are mediocre. But then everybody goes through the phase when all the fire they had for work seems to have fizzled, even those who work their dream jobs.

Motivation at work is as much a responsibility of the employee as the employer’s. For his part, the worker must try to give his best when working. Sometimes, he doesn’t need to rely on his immediate superior in finding the perfect set-up for him to work his best. For some people maximum output may be all about time-management or how the worker schedules his workday. If he knows he will need a 10-minute coffee break in the afternoon to recharge, then by all means he should take it just as long as the company allows it. Staying motivated at work often entails keeping a balance between what is good for the company and one’s self. Sure, you may work 10 hours with only a 30-minute break for lunch and your company’s going to love you but if you burn-out and suddenly decide to go on Sabbatical for a long period then maybe the company will suffer in the end. But it doesn’t mean you must abuse your employers. It’s all about maintaining a healthy personal life-work life balance. Also, you must remember that your career depends on your dependability and the passion you have for your work so it’s good to give more than what is required from you. That is the first secret to staying motivated: Do not neglect yourself BUT do not neglect your work.

To have work motivation also entails experiencing a paradigm shift once in a while. When you feel like you’re about ready to quit, try to think about the things you enjoy about your work and all the positive things it has brought to your life. It’s so easy to feel down and work less or even complain but when you really think about it, is your job really all that bad? Most likely, the answer is no. That’s another secret to maintaining work motivation: focus on the positive.

It’s also good to keep in mind why you applied for the work in the first place. Was it always your dream? Then remember that you are living your dream. Is it part of a much bigger plan? Then realize, that it’s just a step and focus on reaching your end goal.

Set limits and learn to say no. Saying no can work to your advantage. Know when you are being abused and learn to say no. Learn to say no to the colleague who keeps passing his work to you (and still takes the credit for it). Say no to workmates who keep dropping by your cubicle to chat if you really do not want to talk. But be easy in saying no, you must learn to creatively refuse things that do not add value to your life so that you don’t end up offending half the people in your work place. Saying no, frees you up from committing and burning your energy on all the wrong things.

Mr. Kava Leaf
http://www.makewealth.com