Studies have shown that most Americans feel unhappy at work . That means there are a lot of unmotivated people out there who are fine with doing the bare minimum. Are you one of them?If the answer is no, you’re likely someone who desires success. You want to advance within your company and reach the top, which takes great dedication.Even if you’re the most driven individual on the team, you likely struggle with motivation from time to time. Maybe it’s a week of particularly low sales that get you doubting yourself. It could be something as simple as a harsh comment from your boss. No matter why you’re stuck in a rut, it’s possible to pull yourself out.
Inspiring Yourself: How to Keep Learning in the Workplace
You may have the basic routine down to a science, but if you eventually want to break off and start your own business, you’ll need to go above and beyond the basics.
1. Find the Right Mentor
Paying attention to the older, wiser and higher-ranking members of your company is a great way to inspire yourself. Company parties and other events provide good opportunities for networking, and you shouldn’t be afraid to approach someone in a friendly manner simply because they outrank you. Befriending someone on a higher level is an excellent way to end up with a trusted mentor who can provide advice for
excelling in the business. You can also watch these people to see how they operate.
2. Remind Yourself of Your Long-term Goals
The weekly grind can get tiresome, and it’s easy to convince yourself that you should quit your job and spend the rest of your days in a trailer park sleeping on the couch and watching daytime television. That option most likely doesn’t align with your true long-term goal, so take some time to check in with your dreams and visions for the future.Along with keeping your eye on the prize, you should also track your progress. Most people are so focused on the future that they forget how far they’ve actually come. Write down all you’ve accomplished, from earning a promotion to saving up a down payment for your first house. When you see that you’re actually making progress on paper, it’s likely to increase your drive to continue.Related:
People Only Remember the Extraordinary, Strange, Wild, Surprising and UnusualRelated:
Risk and Failure Can Be Keys to Success 3. Continue Your Education
From learning about the
best HR practicesto earning an additional certification in your field, there is plenty that can be accomplished by continuing to educate yourself. Devoting a few nights each week to taking classes at a local community college is relatively inexpensive, and it can make a huge difference in what you can offer to your team.The average cost for a full semester of community college classes is $4,847, which means a single course isn’t going to break the bank. Considering that your boss is likely to remember your dedication the next time a promotion opportunity comes around, the class could end up paying for itself.
4. Switch Up Your Routine
Rather than allowing yourself to operate on autopilot for weeks on end, consider switching up your routine. Reorder your work day,
rearrange your officeor come up with a new format for meetings. When you break a routine, your brain is forced to look at everything in a new light. This might alert you to factors that are harming your productivity or standing in the way of learning.The good thing about learning is that it’s always possible. The simple desire to better yourself will often help you see new opportunities for growth, so stay open-minded and aware of what’s going on around you. With a little effort, you’ll be able to pull yourself out of a career rut and move forward toward great prosperity.
