Fire your motivation!

ROHIT sets off, full steam on his new project. Raring to go, he's the quintessential eager beaver who lets nothing stand in his way. However as time goes by, he finds his interest waning and enthusiasm dwindling. It's only a matter of time before he hits the wall. Rohit has realised that career progression is definitely a marathon effort, needing every iota of energy to reach his goal. He needs to keep going no matter what, and for him it's motivation to the rescue!

There's little you can accomplish when you're down-and-out. If you're feeling demoralised and boredom threatens to overshadow your existence, it's time to take stock of things. Since life is a curious mixture of the interesting and the mundane, every person needs to get a fair share of enjoyment and satisfaction to stay pepped up.

A few energy boosters and stress-busters to stay motivated-

What's in it for me?

Keeping the reward in mind does wonders to your motivation. For some, returns can be in the form of monetary benefits, satisfaction, recognition, promotion etc. For others it can be a learning experience, or a chance to grow and develop. Whatever be the reason, remember to keep the end in mind. If you are tackling a job that does not engage your interest, give yourself a reward at the end of it. Patting yourself on the back once in a while helps you stay motivated.

Work can be fun

The best way to work is to have fun while you're at it. If you feel that a certain task is too cumbersome, look for someone who can help; colleagues who can give you insights, and friends who can chip in. To get rid of the monotony, you can also try a new approach. Make sure you take a few breaks so that you don't tire yourself or it'll begin to tell on your productivity. Prioritising helps, especially if you are juggling a number of tasks. This helps you concentrate on the important jobs, and relegate the rest to the background.

Off beat, yet on target

Before you start on any project, you need to first count the cost. One reason for the 'I-give-up' syndrome is because one does not have a fair estimate of what is required. Being prepared for the worst puts your survival instincts in low gear. Resist the temptation to take to 'Machiavellian methods'- the more straightforward the technique, the faster you reach the goal! Remind yourself of your goal everyday, and try improving accordingly. Take into account, glitches and unforeseen delays that may come your way.

Giddyap!

For those who cannot bear the clockwork routine that work demands, job rotation can come as a shot-in-the-arm. To keep the ennui out of the daily grind, nothing works better than an odd surprise or two. So, if you're one for risk-taking, try job rotation, ensuring that the jobs you take on have the strength of your core competency in the background.

Invigorating company

Your peer group also plays a major role in keeping you motivated. Try and keep pace with someone who has similar goals and aspirations. Healthy competition helps in keeping your motivation levels high. Keep an open mind; the commonest things and most unassuming persons might inspire you. An article you read, a program you watch, or a moving experience can help you stay motivated. So keep your eyes and ears open, and don't get lost in the thick of work.

Of heroes and role-models

Emulate a person whom you look up to- one who is professionally competent. Take all the tips you can from him. Spending quality time with people who can encourage or mentor you can also prove immensely motivating. Pep talks, motivational videos and powerful presentations can also help you stay focused.

A time to celebrate

Enjoy success whenever you can. If you think there's no one rooting for you, you may have forgotten about your peers who are looking up to you, members of your family who have constantly stood behind to support you. Reminding yourself of this will give you the cause to hang on and reason enough to stay motivated. Take a vacation, or a couple of days off to unwind. Have something to look forward to, especially on weekends. Letting off steam keeps you emotionally charged. This will also help you fend off self-pity.

Motivation is an important aspect of one's emotional intelligence. Don't be disillusioned by initial setback or disappointment. Remember that being demoralised makes work more difficult and also adversely affects the productivity of others. So stay motivated and you will soon find yourself getting the job done before you even know it!

ARCHANA JAYAKAR

archana.hyd@careercommunity.co.in