10 Ways to Increase Motivation in the Workplace

It was 1:20 PM and my workday ended at 4:00 PM. I thought for sure it would have been closer to the end of the day when I looked at the clock. My motivation was running dangerously low mid-afternoon. Has this lack of motivation ever hit you at work? Lucky for you, I have some handy ways to increase motivation in the workplace!

If you have a hard time staying on track or getting things done, whether at work or on your own time working on a project, I’ve got tips and tricks to help you stay motivated at work and get it all done!

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Table of Contents hide

1) Tips to Stay Motivated at Work

2) Let’s Bring it Home

Tips to Stay Motivated at Work

We all know the dreaded 2:00 PM slump where our energy dips and we can’t seem to focus. Maybe you make a cup of coffee (this can disrupt your sleep later on though) or just try to power through, but there are better ways to increase motivation in the workplace, so let’s get to ‘em.

ways to increase motivation in the workplace pin graphic

1. Start with a Good Morning Routine

I’ve already written all about how to have the best morning routine that fits YOU.

When you have a solid morning routine that works for you, it sets you up nicely for the rest of the day. If you’re nourished well and you’ve had time to engage in things that make you feel the way you want to feel (for me it’s still and relaxed), your day will fall into place much easier than if you were running around all morning.

Cultivate the kind of morning you desire! When you start well, you have the energy and stamina to get through the day.

2. Give Yourself Good Rewards

When you’re in the middle of a workday (or any other life project that you need motivation for), it’s super helpful to have rewards on deck to help you push through when you feel like your motivation is waning.

This is one of my favorite ways to increase motivation in the workplace because it gives me a reason to treat myself!

Whether that reward is a sweet treat, your favorite drink, a 5-minute break to call a loved one, a walk in the sun, or something else, choose rewards that you really look forward to. And don’t be cheap! Reward yourself often! Once a day is my minimum!

3. Every Hour, Stand Up and Move your Body a Tiny Bit

I sit at a desk during my workay, so I got a little lap desk so I can elevate my computer and stand at my desk. But most of the day I’m sitting staring at a computer screen. I find that my motivation is higher when I get a little movement in my day.

Movement during the day could start with getting a standing desk or sit-to-stand workstation to make your current desk into a standing desk. When I stand at my desk, I do little butt-kicking motions or even high knee movements. You could march or do calf raises, little side lunges… the options are endless (and don’t worry about what your coworkers think!).

You can also simply stand up and shift your hips forward and back, left and right. Stretch your arms overhead and over to each side. Roll down, touch your toes, and slowly roll back up vertebrae by vertebrae.

Put simply, just get moving. The extra blood flow and energy use will keep your motivation up.

4. Find a Good Podcast or Music Station

Look up a podcast about something you’re interested in and play it while you work!

Of all the ways to increase motivation in the workplace, this one may seem obvious, but it truly makes such a big difference!

My current favorites are:

The What We Said Podcast with Jaci Marie Smith and Chelsey Jade Curtis (lighthearted and funny)
The Goal Digger Podcast with Jenna Kutcher (business related and informational)
SHE with Jordan Lee Dooley (women’s health and wellness)
The Huberman Lab with Dr. Andrew Huberman (biology, science, health topics)

Sometimes, depending on the type of work I’m doing, a podcast may be a bit distracting, so that’s where music comes in. Turn on a good station on Amazon Music, Pandora, or Spotify, and I promise it will keep you more alert and focused so you can maintain your motivation all day!

"Rest is necessary for motivation. Rest is what recharges your motivation battery!" Quote by Skye Sauchelli

5. Know Your Best “In the Groove” Time and Do Your Heavy/Hard Work THEN

When I try to do my deep thinking work later in the afternoon, I reeeeeallly struggle. That’s because personally, I am much more focused in the morning. The AM hours are where I can remain tuned into whatever I’m working on.

Know YOUR most productive time. If you are intentional about doing your deep work when you’re most productive, you’ll find you’re a heck of a lot more motivated to get it done. Save the more menial tasks for the time of day when you’re not as productive.

6. Try Lists and Check Things Off as You Go

Lists are just about the oldest thing in the book but I stand by them as one of the great ways to increase motivation in the workplace! Try a weekly to-do list.

I get so motivated when I can cross something off my to-do list. There’s actually a dopamine (pleasure/feel good brain chemical) release when we check something off a list. It’s in our brain chemistry, it feels good to accomplish something!

Check out Evernote, too! There’s a free version (I use that one) that you can jot down as many notes as you need, and create different notebooks and types of entries. It’s very much like a digital notepad!

One more note about notes: don’t make your lists too long. Try to stick to three main tasks each day. When your lists are lengthy, you can become overwhelmed by all that’s on there and maybe not start in on the work at all.

7. Use the Pomodoro Technique

This is a productivity technique where you set a timer and work for a specified amount of time, then rest for a certain time, and repeat.

Usually, the timing is like this:

Work for 25 minutes

Rest for 5 minutes

Repeat 4 times and on your last rest, rest for longer.

This is super helpful in terms of staying motivated because the work time chunks are relatively short, and the break/reward seems so easily within sight. And you’d be surprised how much you can get done when you are intentional about hard work for a chunk of time.

8. Have a Rest Day to Look Forward to in the Week

This is by far one of the best things I’ve ever implemented in my life!

Every Thursday, I take the evening to recharge and rest. I don’t do any chores or busy myself at all because rest is a big part of staying motivated. If you go, go, go all the time, you’ll find yourself crashing.

Rest is necessary for motivation. Rest is what recharges your motivation battery!

tips to boost motivation at work infographic

9. Bring Your Favorite Drinks and Snacks to Break Up the Day

Nothing increases motivation like a good pick-me-up snack!

Be intentional and pack snacks and drinks that fuel you and keep you going. For me, knowing I have an ice cold specialty iced tea waiting for me during the work day really helps me push through. As I’m working, I sip on it and feel like my work is so much more doable!

10. This Tip from My Eye Doctor

Sometimes motivation wanes because our body is physically tired.

My eyes are the first thing to go! My eye doctor recommended to me to look away from the computer or phone screen for 10 seconds every 10 minutes. Look out the window or around the room to give your eyes a rest.

He also gave me this exact heated eye mask to further help my strained eyes, and here’s a cute microwavable eye mask if you’re going for aesthetics.

When your eyes are straining, you’ll be dreading the work you’re doing and won’t want to continue. Giving your eyes a rest is one of my favorite ways to boost motivation at work.

Let’s Bring it Home

You’re now armed with 10 ways to increase motivation at work. I hope that these tips will help you be more productive and focused so you can get the work done that you need to!

For the times at work (whether you work a typical 9-5 or you work for yourself) or you’re in school, when you lack motivation, can’t stay on track or get things done, try one of these tips!

My philosophy is always to approach things one small thing at a time. So pick one of these motivation tips and try it for a while. If it doesn’t work, or you need something additional, add one more thing in.

You’ve got this!