Motivating yourself is one of the hardest endeavors in life.
But through my work as a leadership coach and trainer I have realised that effective self-motivation is probably the one trait that differentiates high-achieving professionals from average folks.
High achievers somehow know how to keep marching onwards, even when they don't feel like it. And, to a very large extent, it is their own focused personal drive that gets them there. So, how do we keep pushing ourselves when we are not inspired?
Inspiring Goals
Everyone knows that goal setting is important. But, most of us set up nebulous goals that feel more like a "wish list" rather than something that we might actually believe in. I know from experience that abstract goals like "I want to be the best version of myself this year" or "I will get to my ideal weight" are less likely to be effective than something concrete.
High performers set personal goals or targets that are specific and measurable. They actively establish goals that push their limits, but they remain confident that these targets are well within their reach. And, most importantly, these goals are exciting for themselves. The goals they set always trigger intrinsic motivation, rather than depending on external factors.
If you engage in an activity that supports your goal, it must be worth doing it for its own sake. For example, at work, if you stay in your job only because of the money, you will do the minimum required to meet this goal. The external motivation of just getting paid is unlikely to help you go the extra mile. But if you are intrinsically motivated at work, your work-product will be reflected in your personal pride for the job. You become invested in delivering excellent outcomes.
Therefore, choosing jobs or projects that intrinsically motivate you goes a long way towards a sustainable career. But, if you, like many people, find yourself in a job that you don't really "love" the solution is simply to find elements of that work, which are enjoyable for you. In your current job, find the tasks that you do enjoy and focus on them. With the mundane and perhaps "crappy" stuff you have to do, be purpose driven and internalise that you do them because its supports what you enjoy, and the ultimate results.
Set your own metrics
As employees, promotions, pay rises, rewards, and recognition are the easiest measures of success. But for most people, these measures are not within your direct control. Your bosses or board of directors will determine "your success" if you base your achievements on these metrics. Remember that your success is not limited to these formal sources.
I have learnt that high achievers take charge, by setting their own success metrics. Periodically they will step back and reflect on their personal vision of success and how they measure it. So, start with your core values as a foundation, include both professional and personal elements and track your progress regularly. Your own personal system of measurement will guide your professional voyage. Driving your own metrics will expand your outlook on what personal success means. And it becomes a source of immense personal motivation, and builds your self-sustainability.
Build Relationships
Humans are "social animals." We continuously look around to see what others are doing, and their actions influence our own. One of the best ways to be happier at work and maintain your motivation to go to work is to build workplace relationships.
Interpersonal work relationships have a sizable and significant positive effect on the job satisfaction of the average employee. Even sitting next to a high-performing employee can increase your own output. We can use social influence to our advantage.
Research shows that workplace friendships increase satisfaction, retention, and productivity. The simple truth is that you spend a lot of time at work, and having friends there makes it just more fun to go to work. Improving your workplace relationships starts with a simple connection. It is about showing interest in a co-worker, sharing a piece of yourself, and building it from there.
Whilst I acknowledge that at the end of the day, your job is still … "work," there is a lot that you can do to enhance your experience to retain self-motivation.
In situations that test your enthusiasm, the trick is to tap into the power of your intrinsic motivating factors. If you are clear about what they are, and how you can harness them, they will help you stay the course. Self-motivation is hard, but critical to your success.
*The writer is managing consultant and executive leadership coach at EQTD Consulting. He is also the author ot the national bestseller 'So, You Want To Get Promoted?'