Written by Horng Yuan | Photo by Cristofer Jeschke on Unsplash
Motivation is something we all need and desire. Defined by Britannica as forces acting either on or within a person to initiate behaviour, we need motivation to get things done in life and work. Besides being motivated, it is also important for us to stay motivated when we come across challenges and setbacks. People who are motivated generally achieve more than those who are not.
Do you know that according to Havard Business Review, motivation is a component of emotional intelligence? A motivated person is zealous, driven by achievement, and optimistic; he or she also has the initiative and ability to remain persistent in the face of adversity. Motivated leaders do not give up easily when faced with setbacks and challenges; they continuously adapt, overcome, and lead through to achieve breakthrough and success.
Why Do We Need A Motivated Workforce?
A motivated workforce is crucial for any business or organisation. When the level of motivation is high, you will find people in the organisation driven and happy; they are willing to work hard, go the extra mile, and end up doing a good job. The BBC listed several benefits of having a motivated workforce:
- Improved relations between management and workers, which can be reflected in the acceptance of change without dispute and legal or industrial action against the leaders and managers
- Improved worker performance and productivity, as it is usual for motivated employees to be more focused on their works and work harder
- Decreasing absenteeism, as workers are more willing to work rather than constantly staying off and taking leaves for various reasons
- Low staff turnover, because motivated employees are happy to stay put and continue contributing to the organisation
- Improved customer service and quality products, as employees put in more effort and work to a higher standard
What Can You Do to Stay Motivated?
As the leader of your organisation or team leader, you need to learn to stay motivated regardless of good or bad times. Note that the level of motivation and momentum in your team depends on you. Hence, motivation should begin with and be initiated and sustained by you. The following are three practical tips that you can apply and carry through.
1. Remember your purpose and what you are trying to achieve
Never lose sight of your vision and mission; they give you your purpose, direction, and meaning of life. It is no doubt easy to get distracted and lose focus during challenging times. Take time off to refresh yourself and revisit the vision you have crafted; it will fuel your passion and interest, re-energise you, and keep you going. Also, remind yourself of the rewards of completing a task and the good feelings of encountering success.
2. Create and follow through a plan to help you achieve your purpose
As mentioned in the post 7 Steps to Solving Problems, having a plan means you possess a strategy and the steps towards achieving your vision and mission. Write down your plan, as it gives you clarity and confidence. To stay motivated, follow the plan step by step, and work back when necessary until all required actions are done. This is how you keep going and make progress. Also, do not neglect the celebration of any success or achievement; celebration generates good emotions.
3. Keep physical reminders of your goals
Put your vision and mission statements, goals and key results, flowchart on strategy, and timeline in places where you can easily see them, such as your personal workspace and meeting rooms. Frequent access and visuals can keep you focused on the big picture and stay motivated. For extra boosts, you can include motivational quotes that inspire you.
How Can You Motivate Others?
You the leader has the responsibility to inspire and bring hope to your team. Your motivation can reignite dampened spirits and encourage others to achieve greater goals and success. Listed below are three practical actions you can take.
1. Reinforce the positives
While there is a need to deal with the negatives in the right setting and manner, the point here is that you focus more on the positives and frequently point them out to your team. Do not dwell in past mistakes; you cannot change the past and the past will not fix anything. So, live in the present and choose to appreciate individual and team efforts, remind the team about past accomplishments and successes, reward good works, and share the good feelings of achieving success. You boost motivation and morale each time you do these.
2. Provide assistance
Be intentional and ask the question: “How can I help?” Take the initiative to offer help and be genuine; in doing so you are taking an interest in the needs of your team. Let them know that they are not alone. Besides reflecting you as being approachable, you are also reinforcing teamwork through leadership by example and strengthening relationships in your organisation. A good leader is always near to lend a hand.
3. Be constructive
Avoid being critical when team members make mistakes, which are bound to happen once a while. Choose to provide constructive feedback instead of chastising them; you can use the tips on how to give feedback listed here. Show and coach your team on how to improve and do things differently next time. It will build them up and increase their morale. They will appreciate you and your input.
Conclusion
Motivation is necessary to accomplish things and excel in life and work. When you implement the tips above, you will be on your way to becoming an effective self- and people-motivator. You will be able to lead and influence better!
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