Work motivation: How to stay inspired in your job

You may be asking, “How do I stay motivated at work?” It’s a question most employees have had at one point or another, and it is particularly pertinent at a time when more than half of Australian workers say they have suffered from burnout in the past 12 months.

If you’re struggling to find inspiration in your day-to-day work, here are five tips to get your focus and passion back on track.

Stay focused on your goals

Be honest with yourself about what you want out of your job and how it can help you get to where you want to be in your career. Rather than thinking of your daily responsibilities as insular tasks, remind yourself that doing them well and approaching your work with enthusiasm can lead to bigger and better things. 

If you find that your responsibilities are disconnected from your long-term career goals, consider ways to reconnect with your purpose and objectives. This could mean setting up a meeting with your manager to discuss reevaluating your KPIs or looking into further training and development opportunities. Take control of your progress, so you can start work every day knowing you’re one a clear path to achieving your goals.

Have a defined work schedule

Remote and flexible working has undeniable benefits, but one of the obvious drawbacks is the tendency to blur the boundaries and work and personal time – which can quickly lead to burnout and disengagement.

Whether you’re working from home or the office, have a defined work schedule and stick to it as much as is reasonably possible to give yourself time to ‘switch off’ and recharge each day. If you are prone to checking emails or taking phone calls outside your standard hours, aim to turn off notifications while you’re not working or only respond when it is absolutely necessary. 

RELATED: Helpful strategies for remote work wellbeing

Reward yourself

Give yourself things to look forward to – whether that’s treating yourself to a cup of coffee after you’ve made your way through your emails each morning, getting some fresh air on your lunch break or taking a long weekend away after finishing up a major project. 

Even the smallest of rewards throughout each day can create a positive feedback loop and help keep you on track when you’re under pressure or feeling demotivated by the daily grind.

Look for new challenges

Often a lack of motivation stems from being bored or feeling underutilised. Finding ways to step outside your comfort zone and challenge yourself could be the key to reigniting your motivation. 

Look for opportunities to take on different responsibilities, learn new things and stretch yourself to do better – you’ll regain enthusiasm, learn more about yourself and build valuable skills in the process.

RELATED: Personal development goals you should set for 2022

Know when it’s time to move on

Sometimes a lack of inspiration at work signals that it’s time to seek out new opportunities. If you find that, despite your best efforts, your motivation has simply run out, it could be the impetus you need to take the next step in your career.

Looking for your next career opportunity? Browse our latest jobs or get in touch with a Michael Page consultant to discuss roles in your field.