Stay Motivated as a Manager
Most people think managers are highly motivated – it’s their default setting. And that’s how they got to top in the first place. The real truth is that, just like everyone else, someone who has reached the heady heights of management can find their motivation flagging.
Here are some simple hacks to help keep motivated when you mojo begins to flag:
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Is It Worth Getting Up For?
Reconnecting with what made you love the job in the first place is important, whatever you do. We can get so wrapped up in getting the work of the moment done that we forget our primary motivation.
Make sure your job is something that you love getting up for, even when the going gets tough.
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Belief
Closely allied to point one is the belief that you are doing something important. It’s making a difference to people’s lives. It’s achieving something worthwhile. Sometimes when you’re feeling less motivated, it’s a good thing to reconnect with that belief. If you can’t find it, that might be cue to move on to something more in tune with your values and goals.
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Take a Closer Look at Your Team
It’s also important to sit back and take a look at your team. No one in management can succeed without a good bunch of dedicated people behind them.
Look at how your team are supporting each other and find a sense of pride in how they are working so hard to deliver what is needed, even at the most trying times. This is a great way to stop feeling a sorry for yourself and grab a bit of inspiration from the people you work with.
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Combat Your Fears
You may have lost motivation because you’re facing a particularly tricky period. Again, it helps to take a step back and a few deep breathes.
Imagine worse case scenarios and come up with hypothetical ways to cope with them rather than simply trying to plough through to the other side. At least then you know you have back up if things go sideways.
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Not Seeing the Forest for the Trees
If you work in management, you need to have a handle on the big picture. When things get tough, it’s easy to lose sight of why you’re actually there.
Refocusing on the end game should help you get over minor hiccups and backward steps. Perhaps it’s just a case of developing a thicker skin so you aren’t so affected by the current problems that have gotten in the way. Above all, be optimistic and be forward thinking. There is a point to all this work.
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Try Lateral Thinking
Tried and tested approaches are all well and good but if your team or business is stalling, it may be time to think outside the box. The best managers tend to be able to do this naturally and find ways around problems that help keep the motivation flowing.
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Update Your Skills
Lack of motivation can also be down to a lack of skills. Updating your continuing professional development gives you the chance to step away from what you are doing and focus on something new, exciting and useful. It will also help boost your confidence and, hopefully, bring a fresh wave of motivation.
