Some days you just feel uninspired at work. It’s difficult to make those client calls and keep going on your to-do list. You may not feel like signing on for your meetings or coming up with ideas for that client proposal.

A lack of motivation can stem from several different causes, including a too-busy schedule or uncertainty on how to get started on something. Or, you may just need a break. If you do not give yourself proper time away from work, you’ll wind up burned out.

While some days you may feel blasé, you can hack your way back to a more productive state of mind. Writer Maddie Lloyd has outlined five ways to boost your motivation at work. We share her ideas in this issue of Promotional Consultant Today.

  1. Take care of yourself. If you are not getting enough sleep or eating nutritious foods, you make it harder for yourself to do your best at work. Lloyd suggests getting to bed an hour earlier and making yourself a nourishing lunch—or packing one to go if you are back at the office. You can also boost your motivation by taking a quick walk or working some exercise into your day.
  2. Embrace rewards. According to Lloyd, when you build small rewards into your schedule, you can help motivate yourself to hit certain checkpoints. The best rewards do not involve screens or work-related tasks, she adds. You could, for example, treat yourself to an iced tea and a walk around the block once you send a certain number of sales emails.
  3. Seek inspiration. Whether you enjoy listening to podcasts or reading blogs, you can help restore your motivation by learning what works for other people. Do some research and try different strategies to see what works for you. You may discover a new app or resource that helps you get back to feeling enthusiastic about your work again.
  4. Set SMART goals. SMART stands for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound. These kinds of goals can help you stay on task by eliminating unimportant and distracting tasks while helping you focus on the most important projects on your plate.
  5. Get feedback. Another way to hack your way back to productivity is to seek feedback—and specifically positive feedback. Lloyd says when you feel appreciated and proud of your work, you will have an easier time staying on task. She recommends keeping a “kudos” folder every time you receive written praise. Looking back on these words of appreciation can help provide momentum when you find it difficult to get going.

When you feel motivated and engaged at work, it’s easier and more enjoyable to get your work done. If you find yourself in a rut, consider the ideas above to shake yourself out of it and get back on track.

Compiled by Audrey Sellers

Source: Maddie Lloyd contributed this piece to the Zippia blog.