It happens all the time. To begin with we are all excited when we take up a new job or a project. After the initial teething problems are addressed and the project starts rolling boredom sets in. There comes a time when working on a project becomes so difficult that it starts affecting our performance. Any amount of self-motivation and pep talk doesn’t work. And if this is not corrected at the right time often a good worker’s efforts go down the drain and the person is labeled as just another average employee.

So it’s no surprise that to be known as a great worker and to have path-breaking projects under his/her name, the person has to ensure that he/she is motivated and interested all year long. Sounds impossible? Here’s how:

Rewarding excellence

“Whether the boss acknowledges or not, every achievement that I think is worthwhile and has helped me break a personal inhibition I stop and celebrate. It could be buying a new book, eating at a good restaurant or getting a nice beauty treatment done. But the bottom line is to celebrate small successes. This goes a long way in keeping my motivational levels high. And if while doing this an official appreciation comes my way it is like an icing on the cake,” says Sushma Joglekar, who works as a travel agent.

Attending training programmes

Learning something new and attending training programmes to upgrade skills will go a long way in keeping your motivation high. “Each time I feel stagnant I take up a training programme to learn new skills that will directly or indirectly help me perform my tasks better. Courses in communication skills, negotiating skills, effective time management, presentation skills or working as a team can help an employee considerably depending on his/her work profile,” states Sonika Rathod, who works as an HR Professional with a leading automobile company.

Accepting newer challenges

Taking up newer responsibilities, something like you have never done before, is a good way to stay motivated. Initially this might be a little uncomfortable but the confidence that comes with completing the task is certainly worth it.

Count your blessings

It is said appreciate what you have and it will grow. Ahana Basu, a copy editor working with a leading tabloid says, “What works for me is writing down the positives of my job each time I feel low. Just like when you are not happy with a relationship if you everyday sit and jot down what you like about it you will be able to see the relationship get better. So things like what I learnt at work today or the confidence I got from doing a certain page motivates me to work better and sincerely later on too.”

Looking at the bigger picture

Any employee who is focused and looks at the bigger picture is more likely to remain motivated. Sachin G, who works as a Deputy Manager (Sourcing) with Tata states, “More than my salary, designation and work profile what I think of is whether my employer will give me a chance to work with him again. I always try and ensure that all my bosses and colleagues think that I am employable. So this way I ensure that matters like salary, designation etc do not put me off much. And if you are in the good books of your bosses money and a higher designation will always follow.”

Occasional holidays

Going on vacations is known to de stress, break the monotony, increase efficiency and known to increase concentration and commitment. An annual holiday is known to reduce the risk of heart attack by 30 per cent in men and by 50 per cent in women. In an experiment conducted at Tel Aviv University, psychologists even stated that both stress and burnout decreased among workers who went on vacations.