Learn How To Be A Self Motivator

Today, many companies are looking for talented employees who are self-motivated and have a clear vision about their career. If you are able to focus on your personal and professional goals, you will not only nail that interview, but also climb that career ladder faster.

1. Have a great attitude

Having the right attitude about any work you do and your studies will help you achieve your goals faster and get along with people. Look for solutions instead of problems, and be proactive when you face obstacles. Take ownership of your projects and your role, and try to keep a positive outlook. Collaboration will take you closer to your career goals than competing with others and passing on the blame.

2. Know your triggers

Knowing yourself is the first thing you need to take care of when you want to learn how to be a self-motivator. What makes you jump with joy? What gets you excited? What type of job or task makes your heart sing? Which roles do you enjoy more? As an example, would you rather be sharing your findings with your colleagues in an informal meeting or with the CEO through a PowerPoint presentation? Does praise motivate you, or is it the promotion or client feedback? If you are happy and content, you are probably already a self-motivated worker.

3. Surround yourself with like minded people

People say that your network is your net worth. Look around the workplace and see people who have already been in your place. Those who share your values and your vision will be happy to give you advice and provide you with tips that will enhance your career. Be open minded when talking to colleagues and co-workers, and find something in common with those you share your workplace with. Make a list of coworkers and acquaintances you would like to have in your corner.

4. Invest in your education

Just because you graduated or finished a training course, you cannot sit back and relax. Look for opportunities to learn new skills or technologies, taking into consideration your employer’s needs. After all, the more useful you are for your company, the more long-term value they will see in you. Find out whether your employer has a career development program. If they don’t, ask them whether they would subsidize some of the cost. Ask the question: Which training programs would benefit the company the most? Once you have identified your skills, you can go ahead and learn to know your worth.

5. Improve your emotional intelligence

Being OK with how you react to situations will help you stay self-motivated in the workplace. It can also help you understand what others in your company want and what drives them. The four main components of emotional intelligence that can help you motivate yourself are optimism, commitment, drive, and initiative. Once you recognize these in your life, you can find a way to progress your professional life faster.

6. Choose a great mentor

If you are just starting a career or have switched to a new area of work, having a mentor who will help you define your goals and develop the skills you need is essential. It’s not easy to be a self-motivated worker if you are doing it all alone. Your mentor doesn’t have to be someone at the same company; you can always seek outside help, such as a career coach to further your prospects.

7. Set SMART goals

It’s important that you have clearly defined goals before you come up with a plan. SMART goals are: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. You have to “draw the picture” of your future self, but also be realistic. Research your career prospects and find out which steps you need to take to get closer to your target role, title, or salary. Create and display your SMART goals at the office so you can remind yourself every day what you are aiming for.

8. Break down long term goals into smaller steps

Consider the old question: “How do you eat an elephant?” The answer is simple: “One bite at a time.” Your long term goals might feel overwhelming, especially if there is a huge difference between where you are now and where you are going. However, by breaking down your plan into smaller tasks, you can stay self-motivated at work and focused on your long-term targets. Remember that it’s easier to deal with one challenge at a time than all of them at once. Successful people have already mastered this skill and achieved great results.

9. Know your strengths and weaknesses

Knowing yourself is going to help you create self-motivation in the workplace, even if your environment is not supportive. If you find yourself in a role that makes you feel undervalued, you can build on your strengths to get another job within the same company that makes you feel better about yourself. Learn more about intrinsic and extrinsic motivation from this post.

At the same time, if you find your new role challenging, you will be able to quickly identify the development areas you should focus on to make your work life more enjoyable. Knowing your strengths will also help you communicate your value when attending a job interview. Sometimes you might not see clearly about your strengths and weaknesses, and you will have to ask for feedback from a manager or colleague.

10. Learn how to focus

The common problem with people who want to learn how to be self-motivators is that they are not focused enough and jump from one goal to the next. Keeping your focus on a single goal will make it easier to eliminate distractions. Having a career vision board can help you stay focused on the goal, and a career or self development planner can support you in tracking your progress. There are several focus exercises that will help maintain your commitment and move on to the next step. A to-do list with small targets is just as good as a professional development plan.

11. Conduct a reality check every now and then

It’s not enough to tell yourself that you’re working toward your professional or career goals; you will have to actively make sure you do. This is where SMART goals play a huge role. You can check in with your goals and plans and see how far you have gone. Further, you can adjust your goals if things at the workplace change.

For example, if the role you were targeting is no longer available at the company you work for, you will have to change your plans. If you’ve realized that you enjoy another job more, why not create a new plan? If you have to go part time or relocate, your goals need to adjust, too.

12. Look after yourself

You cannot motivate yourself if you are unable to focus and keep your mind clear. It’s great to go for a promotion, but if it costs you your mental or physical health, it’s not worth it. Find the right balance between work and personal life, and reward yourself with some fun time away from the office and pursuing your goals.

While self discipline is important, you will also have to find time to switch off and recharge your batteries. In case you find it hard to switch off at night or on the weekend, try some simple mindfulness exercises or yoga.

13. Celebrate every win

It’s hard to keep going when things get tough, unless you celebrate getting through the challenges. Make sure that you celebrate your wins and reward yourself regularly. This is particularly true when it comes to things you don’t enjoy doing.

Isn’t it so much easier to prepare for a big presentation that involves the dreaded public speaking element if you know that you will go out for a meal with your friends and colleagues after it is done? Tiny wins help you get through the big obstacles that might stand between you and your future career.

14. Align your goals with your values

You will have to examine your goals regularly to ensure that they are aligned with your values and personal vision. If you don’t have a personal mission statement yet, it might be a good idea to start there. Ask yourself whether the goals you set will help you live by your values and fulfill your personal and professional vision. This is how to be a self-motivator in your business or personal life.

Employers today respect individuals with self determination and a detailed plan. Knowing how to be a self-motivator is easy when things go according to plan, but if they don’t, you will need these tools to keep you going or to search for a new career on our portal.