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Staying Motivated When Perks are a Thing of the Past
Sure, we all enjoyed the days of performance-based bonuses, company parties and free coffee. But for the time being, those days have changed if not disappeared altogether. Thanks to the economy and the resulting efforts businesses are making to keep afloat, employees are not seeing bonuses offered like they were in recent years or many of the perks enjoyed in the past.
This situation leaves employees with three options: 1) consider a new employer still offering the extras -- a challenge not to be taken lightly since a recent article in USA Today reports that competition for jobs is intensifying as companies are reluctant to hire and the unemployment rate is forecasted to top 10.5% later this year, 2) sulk and complain about it, or 3) figure out what makes you tick and find ways to keep motivated while adding value to your company. If you choose the latter, read on. These tips will help you stay motivated minus the perks, and position you as a valuable asset to your company. You might even reap rewards for your loyalty and strong performance when things do turn around.
Turn off autopilot. If you are settled into a routine, and it feels like you are running on autopilot, then it’s time to seek out new challenges within your position. Create new standards for your work, set the bar for your own performance just a bit higher. Not only will you feel inwardly rewarded, but chances are your boss will realize your higher standards and appreciate the domino effect the results will have on your company. As shared in “Getting and Staying Motivated on the Job,” if you put forth a little effort, the benefits of motivation will come.
Set goals. Sounds basic, but the reality is that when we achieve our goals, we feel good. Make a plan that is realistic to accomplish your goal. Each day your plan should include two positive actions: one that is a small task and easy to accomplish, but that gets the positive momentum going; the second is a task that will take you one step closer to achieving the bigger goals. We all have a natural tendency to put off actions that might take longer or seem complex. But if we break them down into smaller items, we’ll feel less intimidated, see progress toward our goal and feel motivated to continue on until we ultimately achieve it.
Expand your horizons. Take a look at committees within your company that might be of interest to you or consider volunteering with a charity the company supports. You might learn about people with similar interests in other areas of your company. Regardless of whether they are business related or personal, joining a committee or a charitable organization is a great way to enhance your involvement with your workplace and community, meet new people and stay motivated.
Focus on the solution, not the problem. The article, “Five Ways to Stay Motivated When the Perks Disappear,” suggests concentrating on actions today that will affect your organization’s success and growth tomorrow. This is great advice. If you turn the focus from your problems to helping contribute in meaningful ways to the success of the company, you have a clear reason to do the best job possible.
Spread a positive attitude. Remember, positive attitudes are contagious. It’s very difficult to stay motivated when you’re surrounded by co-workers badmouthing your company or perseverating over what’s no longer reality. As the author of “6 Ways to Motivate Yourself at Work” shares, surround yourself with like-minded people that enjoy their work and are there for a reason (other than to complain!). When you allow negativity to enter your mind, you begin to believe the negative talk and subconsciously let it impact your work performance. It pays to be positive at all costs; make sure you focus on the plusses of your job and put your energy into impacting your company’s bottom line.
Create your own perks. Another idea to keep motivated is to team up with your colleagues and create your own perks. Make every last Friday of the month Donut Day and take turns springing for the donuts. Make payday the day you go out to lunch with a group or organize a potluck and everyone bring something to share. Creative ways to bring your co-workers together gives everyone energy and motivation to stick together.
Motivation is tricky. What creates motivation in people is as diverse as people themselves. The bottom line, though, is that staying motivated is an essential ingredient to success. It’s up to each of us to find what makes us tick; hone in on that activity and then reap the rewards motivation will bring.