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For me, this is the key. Motivation comes easier when your daily job is something you can believe in and others around you share that belief.  

A part of that is knowing how it fits into the bigger picture, and in this sense, motivation is a two-way street. Feeling as if you’re simply a small cog in a giant machine can blunt your sense of worth, so it’s important workplace leaders make sure you know your job is valued and integral to the success of the business. 

I am fortunate to be employed by an organisation whose goal is to enable better lives, so I have a head start when it comes to feeling motivated. My career began more than 30 years ago as an employment advisor in Australia. Although I’ve changed roles – and even continents – that’s effectively what I’m still doing.  

It can be easy to lose sight of that worthwhile end goal in the maelstrom of targets, expected performance, admin and events outside of the workplace.  Take time to stop and think; there is a worthwhile reason for everything I do and each task, big or small, matters. 

Actively seek colleagues who inspire you, those who have been there, achieved it and have worn the t-shirts. If you work with people you respect you won’t want to let them down. Surround yourself with positive people – get involved in working groups and social events. Don’t underestimate how other colleagues’ ‘get-up-and-go’ can rub off on you. 

Set your sights on what you want to achieve. That could be getting a promotion, earning more money, or getting back to work after a setback. Think about what you will gain, and what you will lose from not achieving it. Regularly review your goals and achievements: seeing progress boosts motivation and improves self-esteem.  

Setting goals that are unattainable can destroy motivation. Instead of always focusing on the end goal, it can help to break work down into more manageable tasks or projects that build towards the big picture. Completing these smaller objectives can help you feel that you’ve accomplished something at the end of each day. Reward yourself with treats for these successes – a coffee, a walk, a call with a friend. 

Lists are a great way of organising your day but check it’s not cluttered with things you don’t really need to do. It’s easier to stay motivated if you’re working on activities that are meaningful and part of a larger mission. 

That’s advice from author Mark Twain: it means dealing early with the tasks you are not looking forward to, thus clearing the rest of the day for more productive items. 

I am a great believer in professional development and taking opportunities to learn new skills and grow your career. If you work in a large organisation it may well have its own training programmes – Ingeus has a Continuous Improvement Academy for instance – or there are plenty of online courses and apprenticeships too. Volunteering can also give you skills you can apply in the workplace. 

The world in which Ingeus operates, like many large organisations, is a dynamic one with new contracts opening in different parts of the country so you can challenge yourself by changing teams or direction. 

Regular exercise, healthy eating and plenty of sleep help to keep up energy levels, equipping you to stay alert and engaged. Generally, I like to do some exercise before work and sometimes even have walking meetings to get some steps in. Getting outside away from the workplace is a great way to refresh your mind and set you up for the next challenge. 

Even if you work remotely, a lot of this advice still applies, particularly in terms of staying in touch with colleagues, linking up with people who inspire you and looking for ways to develop your skills. Organising your work is even more important if you are at home, but don’t forget to reward yourself for achieving even small tasks. Consider setting a one-hour timer on your phone, work solidly for those 60 minutes, then give yourself a five-minute chill time at the end of each block to catch up with colleagues or do something different. 

Remind yourself why you do your job – what attracted you to the industry and what you hope to achieve from it. Think about where you see yourself in a few years and what skills you need to get there. 

Finding the answers can be motivational... or can help you realise it may be time to start afresh.