Keeping the fire going: keeping motivated at work every day

Motivation at work is fundamental to well-being, performance and efficiency within an organization. Understanding the mechanisms of motivation and knowing how to act on its factors can transform your professional experience as well as that of your colleagues or teams. What is motivation? Where does it come from? How to promote a dynamic and productive work environment through motivation?

Understanding motivation

Some definitions

Motivation can be defined as a set of internal and external factors that encourage us to act in a certain way to achieve a given objective. It represents the psychological energy that pushes us to perform specific tasks, regardless of whether they are related. at work, in personal life, or in other areas of life.

Two essential components define motivation: its intensity and its direction. Intensity refers to the amount of effort we are prepared to put in, while direction refers to how those efforts are directed toward achieving a specific goal. So motivation is not just a question of wanting to do something, but also Know what to do and How to do it in an effective manner.

Where does motivation come from?

Motivation is the result of multiple factors, often categorized into two main sources: intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation.

• Extrinsic motivation: It is generated by external factors such as financial rewards, social recognition, or sanctions. For example, an employee may be motivated by a performance bonus, by the fear of losing a job, or by the ambition of a promotion.

It is essential to find A balance between these two types of motivation. Extrinsic incentives attract and reward each person, but they alone are not enough to maintain a high level of long-term commitment. It is also essential to nourish the intrinsic motivation of your employees by creating working conditions that allow them to find meaning, to exercise their creativity, and to feel competent and autonomous.

What motivates us? Know your motivating and demotivating factors

Before you can motivate others, it's essential to understand what motivates you personally. Each individual has their own motivational triggers, which can be influenced by several factors:

• Individual needs: Identify your basic needs, whether they are related to security, Recognition, or for personal achievement.
• Personal goals: Clarify your short- and long-term goals. Knowing what you want to achieve can help keep you focused and motivated.
• Values: Identify values that are important to you and see how they are reflected in your work or personal life. For example, if integrity is an important value for you, working in an ethical company will be a source of motivation.

Recognizing what demotivates you is just as crucial to maintaining a high level of engagement. The causes of demotivation can be numerous, ranging from personal aspects to external conditions, here are some of them:

• Lack of recognition and valorization: Not being recognized for your work can lead to frustration and a loss of interest.
• Lack of autonomy: Feeling micromanaged can erode engagement and creativity.
• Imbalance between professional and personal life: Excessive work and the inability to switch off can lead to exhaustion.
• Impossibility of evolution: This can quickly demotivate, create a difficulty in projecting yourself and cause a feeling of being “stuck” in your career.

Motivate yourself to motivate others

What can you do to boost your motivation at work?

Once your motivating and demotivating factors have been identified, the next step is to strengthen your motivators and minimize your demotivating factors. Here are some strategies for doing so:

• Set clear and achievable goals: Objectives SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-Based) allow you to stay focused and motivated. They provide a framework for measuring your progress and adjusting your efforts.
• Create a positive work environment: Surround yourself with colleagues who share your work ethic and who support you. A pleasant and respectful work environment can significantly boost your motivation.
• Look for personal development opportunities: Investing in your personal growth through continuing education, reading, or new professional experiences can revitalize your motivation. You can also introduce variety and challenging challenges into daily tasks.
• Take time for yourself: Promote your well-being, take care of yourself, your mental and physical health. Moments of rest are beneficial for maintaining a good rhythm over the long term. Also, remember to take regular breaks, this increases concentration and efficiency.
• Identify the aspects of your work that give you personal satisfaction: Identify tasks or projects that stimulate your personal interest to maintain your satisfaction and boost your engagement.
• Celebrate small victories: Remember to recognize and celebrate successes, even the smallest ones. This reinforces motivation and gives a feeling of continuous improvement.

How do you motivate others?

To inspire and motivate your colleagues or teams, it is important to understand that each individual is unique. Here are some solutions available to you:

• Listen and understand individual needs: Take the time to listen to your colleagues to understand what motivates them. Open and honest communication is essential to identify their needs and expectations.
• Offer encouragement and recognition: A simple thank you or a public recognition can do wonders for motivating your team. This shows that their work is valued and that they are an asset to the team. In fact, according to our big QVCT survey French employees are 5.1 times more committed when they receive recognition at work.
• Encourage autonomy: Give your colleagues, collaborators, teams the freedom to make decisions and manage their tasks. This allows them to feel responsible and to have a sense of ownership over their work, which increases their intrinsic motivation. Our survey reveals that autonomy is the 2nd most impacting dimension on the well-being of French people.
• Create a collaborative environment: Promote collaboration over competition. An environment where employees support each other and work together toward a common goal is often more motivating than one where rivalry reigns.
• Offer development opportunities: Offer stimulating training courses, seminars, or projects to help your colleagues acquire new skills and develop professionally. When employees feel that they are progressing, their motivation increases.
• Adapt your approach: Each person reacts differently to various forms of motivation. Adapt according to the individual needs of each person, whether through encouragement, challenges or incentives.

In conclusion...

Motivation at work is a key factor for professional and personal success. Understanding its origins and knowing how to exploit it both for yourself and for others can transform your work environment. By identifying your own motivators and by taking steps to feed them, you can not only improve your own performance, but also inspire and motivate those around you.

Motivation is a continuous process that requires regular attention and adjustments. By taking the time to understand what motivates you and putting strategies in place to maintain that motivation, you can create a work environment. dynamic, positive and productive for yourself and for others.