Everyone requires some degree of motivation to keep pressing on and fulfilling various tasks and projects both within the workplace and home environment. However, it is important to understand that action actually precedes motivation and is also often the best remedy for despair. This is because one a person gains momentum it is easier to keep going than making the decision to begin in the first place.
The Importance of Workplace Motivation
While some fortunate people are able to say hand on heart that they love their position and enjoy going into work each day, this is not often the case. This is especially relevant in today's difficult economic climate where a rise in unemployment and redundancies has meant having to accept work regardless of pay and whether it is one's usual form of employment. It is certainly much harder to remain motivated when one is doing both unfamiliar work and earning less revenue as a result.
Motivation is particularly important in the workplace as it can have a serious knock-on effect on members of a team or on other colleagues. A lack of motivation simply makes procrastination worse and can reduce office morale and eventually lead to conflict within the workplace. In order to work efficiently and productively, motivation is a key factor.
How to Increase Motivation in the Workplace
Approaches to increasing motivation within the workplace will typically vary depending upon the individuals themselves and the type of work being undertaken. However, there are some common forms of motivation which include giving credit where it is due, self-rewarding and having a workplace reward system in place. Regardless of position, age or length of service, most people respond very well to being praised or at least having another person acknowledge how hard they have worked to make a project a success.
Rewards are also used from an early age, such as a sticker chart for good behaviour within the preschool or daycare environment. As a result, it may be argued that humans become conditioned to behaviour modification very early on in life and thus are likely to continue to be motivated by rewards later on in life.
A Workplace Reward System Increases Motivation
In addition to having one's own personal reward system in place which may include treating oneself to a trip to the cinema or a drink out with a friend, a workplace reward system or scheme can be a real help in motivation employees to increase productivity. When colleagues are well-motivated this may also reduce petty office politics or workplace conflict and in turn improve staff morale which will lead to a more pleasant working environment for all.
Examples of workplace rewards may include things like vouchers for a restaurant, weekends away, spa treatments or even bonuses. It does not necessarily need to be expensive as most people will respond well to just receiving a email from the manager or head office stating that their work is appreciated.
As highlighted above, motivation is important to everyone regardless of age, career or position and may be increased through using a workplace or personal reward system. When employees are motivated then productivity and efficiency are also likely to improve leading to an increase in workplace morale.
Source:
Adams, B. (2001) The Everything Time Management Book Avon: Adams Media
Kate Le Page - Kate Henning-Le Page writes about eating disorders, body image and recovery issues. She specializes in anorexia recovery.
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