Why Motivation is Important in the Workplace?

We spend a large portion of our lives in the workplace. Some people have jobs that they very much enjoy, while others dread going to work each day. A high level of motivation is correlated with a high degree of productivity. Feeling that we are productive can improve the quality of our lives and how we view ourselves.

Celebrating Victories

One way that we can maintain motivation in the workplace is to celebrate our successes. Some of us work in positions where others compliment us for a job well done, while others work in a position where the achievement of tasks goes unnoticed. Accomplishing goals can be motivating, and in turn, that motivation can help us accomplish more goals. By accomplishing even seemingly mundane tasks as achievements, we can increase our motivation and sense of pride—and if we are proud of our work, we are more likely to put forth greater effort. Notice progress rather than demanding perfection.

Recognizing our Potential

It is easy to feel stuck in a position. You may tell yourself that you do not have the education, skills, knowledge, or reputation to advance. Over time, if you do not feel that there is a chance to learn new things and grow, regardless of whether this comes with a promotion, you may become disinterested in your work. You may be capable of much more than what you think. Still, fear of rejection, low awareness of your strengths, and being overly critical of yourself can prevent you from utilizing the opportunities you have to advance.

Motivating Others at Work

Motivation can be contagious. If you are in a position in which you supervise others, or even if you have a coworker who seems unmotivated, here are a few tips:

1. Give praise often. If someone is not celebrating small victories or recognizing their potential, let them know what they are doing well. This is especially important when someone frequently receives criticism.
2. Show appreciation. Let the coworker know that you appreciate the hard work that he is doing. Even if you think the appreciation is implied, be vocal about it.
3. Be understanding. You do not always know what the person is dealing with at home, so there may be times when the person struggles to make it through the workday. Listen and try to accommodate the needs of the other person when possible.
4. Help with goal setting. Again, working toward goals, especially those that are SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-measured), can help us maintain motivation. When going over a coworker’s work performance, make goal-setting just as important as a task as offering feedback, and check on the progress toward the goals frequently.
5. Model motivation. If you show others that the work is important to you and that you are willing to invest extra time and energy into it, others may also feel it is important and increase their efforts.