Chances are we’ve all experienced some form of Mondayitis before. It’s the common feeling of weariness, sadness, apathy and general distress many individuals feel when starting the Monday morning work week. It’s a pretty horrible feeling, but with a coffee, an email tidy up and the first meeting of the day, the symptoms of Mondayitis generally tend to subside. In some cases, the symptoms don’t subside. What happens if Mondayitis doesn’t subside? What happens when Mondayitis turns into Tuesdayitis and rolls into Wednesdayitis and beyond? Although these feelings may be a result of any number of factors, it generally stems from a lack of motivation. Increased workloads, high stress, lack of opportunity, and poor pay are major factors for low motivation, which can create a downward cycle. As motivation decreases, so does your ability to produce quality work and stay productive. If you don’t have the drive to succeed, it will adversely impact others in the workplace, which can directly affect the success of your company. While you can’t always control what happens to you, you can control how you respond to it. Seek to create a positive environment for yourself and you’ll begin to become more motivated to achieve your full potential in the workplace. We’ve included some tips below to make sure you’re getting the most out of yourself at work – and if you’re not, the changes you can make to kickstart your motivation. Before work Wake up earlier Get your hand off that snooze button! Jump out of bed because let’s face it, that extra 10 minutes isn’t going to make a difference. Time is a precious commodity, so make the most of your morning hours because it’s a great time to designate ‘you’ time before the phone calls, meetings and sudden crises arise later in the day. Exercise Research has found that people who exercise before work report improved moods and an increased ability to deal with the demands of work. Also, it’s well known that there are many physical and mental health benefits that can be gained from regular exercise. Exercising in the morning will increase your productivity throughout the rest of the day and leave you feeling empowered about your work-life balance. Eat breakfast They don’t say breakfast is the most important meal of the day for no reason. Breakfast provides you with the energy and nutrients that lead to increased concentration in the workplace. Eating right in the morning can give you the energy and mental clarity you need to be fully engaged, focused and productive throughout your work day. At work Make a to-do list Physically writing down your to-do list for the day creates a sense of accountability because each task is a commitment. If the dreaded 3pm flat period hits, a list with uncompleted tasks will motivate you to work harder to cross them all off. Get feedback on your work It’s not only a great opportunity to get recognition for your work, but insightful feedback that’s positive and constructive, can help you hone your skills even further and motivate you to strive for continuous improvement. If you feel like you’re not receiving enough feedback, speak up and ask your manager … even if it’s a quick weekly catch-up. Use the time in check in on your projects and get honest feedback on where you could improve. Understand organisational goals and your role If you’ve got a clear understanding of your organisation’s vision, objectives and strategy, you’ll feel like you’re playing a key role in contributing to the overall success of the organisation. If you’re empowered to challenge yourself with meaningful work, you’ll be motivated to succeed and continue to learn and grow. After work Reflect and reward On your commute home, take a few moments to reflect on your day at work. What did you achieve … What were the successes … could you have done anything better? Rewarding yourself is important when you achieve major objectives or reach important milestones. Rewards give you something to look forward to, extra motivation to get there and a surge of excitement and enthusiasm when you reach your goals. Maintain a healthy work-life balance It’s no secret that we spend over 50% of our time at work, so be sure to make the most of the time you’re not at work! When you spend your free time stressing or worried about work it’s bad for your health and motivation. Some benefits of a healthy work-life balance include: Greater focus and concentration Higher levels of job satisfaction Participation in family and social life More time to pursue hobbies and interests Get a good night’s sleep! Rejuvenation, energy and extra brain power = more motivation! How do you remain motivated at work? Let us know in the comments section below!