It doesn’t take much for enthusiasm to slip once back in the office from the festive break. But how can one stay motivated when the weather is tantalising good outside?
January can be a bit of a “downer” for many employees, having recently returned from the festive break to have to watch glorious summer days unfold from the office window.
To keep motivation levels up and maintain focus, recruitment firm Randstad has the following tips.
1. Write a list of things to do: If things feel like they seem to be stacking up on top of you one after the other, then a good way to stay in check is to write out all your tasks and tick them off as you, that way, you can keep track of what has been done and what is yet to be completed.
2. Keep an inspirational quote by your work monitor: Sometimes it’s the little things that matter most when trying to stay focussed. Print out an inspirational quote, photo or some other little object which will serve as a constant reminder of why you are doing what you are doing, on your desk.
3. Take a quick break to clear your head: Everyone gets frustrated from time to time. If it’s been a particularly stressful morning or afternoon, take a moment to walk away from your desk - either a quick walk outside, or preparing a cup of tea can make a difference and help you refocus when you return.
4. Turn off your emails for an hour: Emails are a distracting force in the working day - recent stats show that the average person spends more than two and a half hours of each day just responding to emails. If you have a particularly important task, it can really break your concentration to have email notifications popping up every few minutes, so turn off your inbox for an hour and focus at the task at hand.
5. Clean up your workstation: A cluttered desk can affect motivation levels, so ensure that you regularly organise your desk items.
6. Speak to someone who is an ‘energiser’: Every office has one , that person who always has a smile on their face and a friendly word to say. Take time to have a chat with someone who is dynamic, driven and can offer words of encouragement.
7. Focus on your ‘end game’: Always keep in mind why you are doing what you’re doing. It doesn't matter if the project you’re working on is to increase customer engagement, to drive sales growth, or something else entirely, if you don't have a clear idea of what success looks like, you won’t know when you have hit it.
