Going back to work in the new year can be met with a certain level of expectation, with the career goals refreshed and everyone firmly in the new year, new me mindset, it is easy to feel demotivated with all the pressure and expectations that the new year might bring.
And so, ahead of Blue Monday, Ed Johnson, CEO and Founder of PushFar, the leading online mentoring and career progression platform, offers his top five tips on how you can combat and demotivation and re-boot your motivation levels.
So, whether you’re a student, a working professional, someone on the job-hunt, an entrepreneur or even if you are finding motivation difficult in your personal life, these tips should help bust the January Blues once and for all!
1. Get Up and Do Something
This is the single most effective way to re-ignite your flame, get the spark back, psych yourself up and all those other cliched terms for drive, ambition and motivation. It may sound obvious, but it is true. Get up and do something you haven’t done before, haven’t done recently or something that gives you enjoyment. Doing something will help you to feel productive and deserving of reward.
2. Don’t Compare Yourself
Perfection is almost always a myth and it’s been fuelled by the advent of social media. Don’t believe that anybody’s life is perfect – it’s a lie.
We can easily become demotivated when we see competitors succeeding, old classmates climbing the career ladder and friends relaxing on a beach in a seemingly perfect world, but don’t let it get to you. Don’t compare yourself to situations and successes of others, instead, focus on what you have and the successes in your own life.
3. Push Through the Struggles
There are times in our lives when we simply must push through the struggles and keep moving forward. Even if you can’t see the point or don’t understand why, don’t give up. This is perhaps one of the hardest things to do because, by its very nature, it’s demotivating. When we can’t see the point, we have a tendency to give up. But by not giving up you are succeeding. Remind yourself why you started something. Results are often not instantaneous.
4. Be Open About Demotivation
Not talking about demotivation is actually a bad thing! It’s amazing how many people feel demotivated and in speaking about how you are feeling, you will realise you are not alone. And in realising this, it can actually help you to feel motivated again.
Remember, you are not alone and you might not be the only one feeling demotivated. Speak up. Whether it’s talking to a friend, a colleague, your manager or a mentor – speaking about it will help.
5. Rediscover Inspiration
How did you first become inspired to do what you are doing? Why are you doing what you are doing? Remind yourself why you are doing what you are doing and rediscover the things that have initially inspired you. It’s easy to lose sight of the end goal when you are in the midst of a demotivating slump, and that’s why it is so important to go back to the start and rediscover that inspiration which lead you to where you are.
If you’re on the hunt for a mentor, or are looking for career progression tips and tricks, visit www.pushfar.com where you can also sign up for free training sessions each month.
