The annual Gallup Engagement Index study also showed for 2018 that employees largely lack motivation. Around five million of them, which accounts for 14 percent of all employees, feel no real connection to their company and have already mentally checked out of their job. However, without motivated employees, no company can operate profitably.
Table of contents
- Motivation in the workplace: where the problems come from
- Motivating employees: providing suitable office equipment
- Motivation at work: exercises for self-motivation
- Conclusion: increasing motivation in the office
Motivation in the workplace: where the problems come from
Can the workplace and managers be responsible for motivation, or does motivation at work have to come from within? The Society for Business Psychology has explored the topic of motivation at work and described it as a kind of inner source of energy. This energy drives people to do certain things and achieve goals. It is based on specific motives, which may include social contact, a higher position within the company or self-fulfilment. A distinction is made between extrinsic motivation, which is influenced by the environment, and intrinsic motivation, which is based on enjoyment of one’s own work. This means that work has to be enjoyable and that an employee should feel inwardly convinced that what they do is truly good and right.
Many managers believe that motivation in the workplace can be sufficiently boosted by a high salary, a large company car or other financial perks. But although everyone wants to be paid fairly and as well as possible, something else also plays a role in motivation in the office: praise and recognition for the work done are just as important. In addition, focused work is not possible if the workplace is not set up optimally. In the end, constantly disrupted concentration undermines motivation at work.
In summary, the following negative factors affect motivation in the workplace:
- pay that is too low
- lack of recognition
- no enjoyment at work
- no personal goals
- negative work environment
- no ergonomic office equipment
Employee motivation: Provide suitable office equipment
It is now widely known that the ideal desk height has just as much influence on employees' working behaviour as a suitable office chair or the office acoustics. To increase employee motivation, it is therefore important that they feel comfortable in their workplace. Nice colleagues alone are far from enough, because office furniture also matters. The desk must meet ergonomic requirements and be suitable for the work carried out at it. The ideal seat height of the chair should be just as much a given as the adjustability of the backrest. This not only significantly improves well-being in the workplace, but can also have a direct impact on employee motivation. Employees feel more content and get the impression that their manager values their well-being and their health in the workplace. Those who enjoy going to work bring greater motivation to their desk, complete tasks more efficiently and thus contribute directly to the success of the company. Improving employee motivation therefore achieves several things at once!
Motivation at work: exercises for self-motivation
The following tips can help improve motivation in the workplace. Everyone needs to try out for themselves which points work well for them personally and whether the tips can actually be combined with their own work.
Helpful for greater motivation at work:
Put tasks aside
Not every task that seems unpopular at first glance has to be done straight away. Some things are not important and can be dealt with later. Some employees do exactly the opposite and tackle the unpopular tasks first, then throw themselves into the things they enjoy with full motivation.
Create task lists
It helps to create a to-do list. Which tasks need to be completed today? Large projects should be broken down into smaller steps so it is easier to keep track of progress.
No more negative statements
“I can’t be bothered” or “I don’t want to do this” should be removed from your vocabulary. Of course, it takes a bit of mental training to see an unpopular task as a challenge. But once it is done, you can move straight on to the next item.
Reward yourself
Motivation at work can be boosted with a reward. Once a critical project has been completed, it is worth doing something together with the whole team. Or perhaps there is a personal treat you can look forward to once you have reached a goal? Maybe a shopping trip or dinner with your partner?
If none of this helps and motivation at your desk simply will not improve, taking a break can help. It does not have to be a full sabbatical – even a day off or a coffee break, when there is supposedly no time for it, can be enough. Motivation at work usually returns very quickly when the bigger picture is right: the working environment, office equipment and the work itself.
Conclusion: Increase motivation in the office
Various factors play a role: the workplace, the work itself, colleagues and the manager’s behaviour all need to be right for motivation. Praise and words of appreciation are often more important than financial incentives. Office equipment should not be overlooked either, as it plays a key role in wellbeing and health and is therefore crucial for motivation at work.