Ever found yourself sitting at your desk, blankly staring at your screen, wanting to wrap up an important submission but unable to push through it? You know that the task isn’t going to begin on its own but, for some reason, you’re not able to get working on it.
Our client, Liz, spent way too many mornings going through exactly this. The result? She started missing important deadlines and her performance slipped sharply. That drive and passion she once had for her work was no longer visible. Soon, she realized that something in her work life was calling for immediate attention and support.
That’s when Liz reached out to Crosworks. After sharing her concerns with her coach, Liz discovered that it wasn’t just about feeling unhappy or being burnt out; rather, the real reason lay hidden deep under. She had lost touch with what truly motivated and powered her. But through Croswork’s personalized coaching, she found a way to reconnect with her intrinsic drive and reignite her inner spark.
If you’re experiencing similar performance blocks and are looking to break free from a motivational slump, schedule a free call with Crosworks today. Discover how our personalized coaching can help you rediscover your true motivations and transform the way you work.
Self-Motivation: What it Really Means
Self-motivation is encouraging yourself to go on and pursue your goals even when your circumstances seem challenging. It’s the inner drive and hunger to achieve what you want, despite any setbacks. Look around see what the most successful people have in common. Are they always the brightest? Richest? Perhaps not. But they are the ones who have the will and most motivation to succeed.
Wondering how to keep yourself motivated? You can do so in simple ways: set goals that feel both exciting and doable, remain positive even when things aren’t working in your favor, and always be on the lookout for opportunities to grow. Self-motivation fuels your ability to push through tough days, bounce back from setbacks and take on initiatives with your eye on the prize.
How Self-Motivation Transforms Performance
Your Productivity Increases
Self-motivation helps you keep procrastination at bay. You manage your time better, focus sharply and take tasks head-on instead of relying on endless excuses. Instead of merely checking boxes on your to-do list, you’ll focus on the results that truly matter to you.
You Produce Better Work
As a motivated individual, you’ll take pride in your work. You’ll find yourself double-checking details, catching errors before they become a problem and delivering work that you are proud of. For you, the attention to detail and going the extra mile is not a burden; rather, it is a natural extension of genuinely caring about your craft.
You Think Out-of-the-Box
When you’re driven from within, you naturally start looking for better ways to do things. Innovation takes center stage and becomes a part of your daily work. You become more curious, you question outdated processes, suggest improvements and contribute ideas that help move the organization forward.
How Great Performance Fuels Motivation
It Garners Recognition
Everyone loves a little appreciation. And why not? When your hard work earns you recognition in the form of a promotion, bonus or simple acknowledgement from your team, it reinforces the fact that your efforts matter. This validation serves as your internal fuel, pushing you to keep performing better.
It Drives Success
There’s something deeply satisfying about achieving goals (big or small). The sense of accomplishment builds your confidence and prepares you to take on the next challenge. You start believing in your ability to achieve more, which eventually motivates you to keep up the good performance.
It Attracts Opportunities
Good performance never goes unnoticed. Leaders and colleagues become witnesses to your consistent and growing potential. Word gets around fast. Industry opportunities that you may have dreamt of earlier in your career now seem to become real possibilities. This growth potential – the fact that you are moving toward bigger goals – becomes your strongest motivator, silently yet continuously reminding you to maintain your momentum.
Practical Ways to Boost Motivation and Performance
Set Real, Practical and Concise Goals
If it’s too far out and vague, cut it out. Keep your focus on creating SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound) goals. Let’s assume that you’re a marketing professional and part of your job requires you to give regular presentations. While setting your goals, stay away from vague statements like, “I will work on becoming better at presentations.”
Instead, focus on achieving clear targets. Rephrase your goal as, “I will deliver five client presentations using visual storytelling techniques by the end of Q2.” Specific and clear targets give you better direction and make progress tangible.
Upskill, Re-Skill and Continue Learning
The beauty of continuous learning is that not only does it pave the way for personal growth, but it also keeps your work from becoming boring and repetitive. Every new skill gives you a fresh perspective. You learn new ways to tackle old problems. Platforms like LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, Skillshare and Udemy offer thousands of courses on topics ranging from data analysis to leadership skills. Pick those that fit your needs and help you grow. Other ways to improve learning are by attending workshops and conferences that are closely related to your field. And, finally, don’t shy away from asking to shadow a senior team member or colleague who seems to effortlessly handle tasks or situations that you find tricky.
Ask, Receive and Share Regular Feedback
We often tie feedback to year-end reviews and restrict its presence. But the truth is that the more often you receive and share feedback, the more it helps. Don’t sit around wondering if you’re doing well. Just ask. Check in with your manager or peers about specific projects and ask them about your performance and ways to improve. These quick, informal conversations help you improve along the way.
On the other hand, be sure to share your thoughts and give frequent feedback, too. If you see a colleague doing well, a simple, “Hey, the way you handled that client call was really impressive,” can do wonders by creating a lasting positive impact in someone’s mind. When our client, Phil, started sharing regular, positive feedback on code reviews and problem-solving skills with his introverted subordinate, things took a sharp turn up. Phil’s teammate went from being someone who quietly did his job to becoming a participant who actively contributed ideas during meetings.
Closing Thoughts
Self-motivation allows us to excel both personally and professionally. It enables us to receive recognition for our accomplishments and experience feelings of gratitude, satisfaction and a drive to perform better.
Crosworks specializes in helping people rediscover their true motivations, which unlocks their full potential. Our coaching approach is personalized, practical and proven to give positive results. Ready to begin your transformation? Contact us now for the right coaching support. Schedule a free call as an introduction to Crosworks’ services.