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I’m reading Entrepreneur Europe, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.
entrepreneur. business owner. leader. manager. boss.
No matter how you describe yourself, it’s important to inspire your employees, but it’s also important to keep yourself inspired. Here in Europe, we work hard every day to keep the company alive and there is a lot of pressure on us. It can be overwhelming.
You may not realize you’re burnt out and uninspired until it’s too late. Here’s how to stay inspired and motivated.
1. Keep your goals handy.
Visible goals are important to stay motivated. They can be small, but you should create two moodboards for your workspace. First, it should include your own goals, not just your professional goals. Consider adding a goal of creating a fun and engaging workplace or finding work-life balance. Some goals are related to productivity, while others are about contentment and well-being. You need both for this to work.
The second board should contain the same goals, but under each should write some steps that must be followed consistently to get there. So, if you set a goal to maintain his work-life balance, add a reminder to leave work by 6 p.m. each night or take paid time off. If your goal is to keep your papers organized, add a reminder to turn in your papers by a certain time each week.
Seeing your goals, as well as clear reminders to reach them every day, motivates you to get things done, reach them, and exceed them.
2. Build an incentive plan.
You already know that giving employees incentives is a good way to motivate them. You too should receive some kind of reward for good work. Once the company hits a certain goal, give everyone a day off, say Friday afternoon, but don’t forget that either. Specify personalized rewards for yourself as well.
Think of tasks you have to complete yourself, such as making hiring decisions or reporting to regional managers. Set yourself an incentive structure when a job or meeting goes well, even if it’s a midday break to buy a new book or a cup of tea. Knowing that there will be a simple reward at the end of a difficult task will keep you motivated.
3. Engage with your employees.
Attend parties, events, offsites, and office culture. Engage with everyone in your company to feel motivated and energized. Being a boss can feel lonely, but remember that you are part of a team.
Spending time with one another, especially during team building activities and more relaxed moments, helps foster camaraderie and reminds employees of what they are working for. It provides great insight into how operations are progressing in the field. You can brainstorm together and tackle problems while celebrating your successes. This will make you more productive and happier.
4. Never stop learning.
If your job description stays the same, you may feel like you don’t need to learn anything new, but the opposite is true. Break the monotony and routine and stay inspired. Every month, try to complete an autobiography or book for someone whose career or life interests you. It’s inspiring to see how others have achieved goals similar to yours. The same goes for learning in general.
Research continuing education courses, seminars, or conferences in your field and make a point of attending them. Insights from experts and peers can help you look at your profession with fresh eyes and keep your spirits up.
