Feeling stuck in your current role? Have your daily tasks become tedious? It can be challenging to stay motivated when you’re doing the same thing day in and day out. The good news is, there are proven ways to stay motivated in your career, whether you’re looking for a new role or aiming to gain more fulfillment at your current company.
Set clear, achievable career goals
Where do you want to be one year from now? How about one month from now? Staying motivated in your career means setting milestones you can check off that give you a sense of accomplishment. Not only that, but Indeed.com notes that taking active steps to stay motivated can positively affect your long-term career growth, too.
Start here:
- Set short-term goals. Maybe there is a new skill you want to learn, a course you want to take or a sales goal you’re aiming to achieve in the next 30 or 60 days.
- Keep long-term goals top of mind, too. These could be things like earning a promotion, moving into a management role or completing a key project for your department or company.
- Track your goals weekly, monthly, quarterly and annually. You can use spreadsheets, calendars or whichever method motivates you best. If your company provides software or programs that help you do this, even better.
Ask for feedback and celebrate wins
Now that you’ve set your short- and long-term goals, you’ll need to stay accountable to achieving them. One way to do this is to regularly ask for feedback from your manager and peers. Having regular one-on-one meetings with your manager can be an effective way to check in on your goals. Unfortunately, at many organizations, the only time employees receive feedback is during their annual review. This certainly won’t keep you motivated. If your manager isn’t providing regular feedback on a weekly or monthly basis, ask for it and create your own feedback loop.
In addition to working on areas for improvement, be sure to celebrate your wins. Even a small step toward a goal is something to note. For instance, maybe you completed the outline for a major upcoming client presentation. Or you assisted company leadership with an event to hone new skills. Reward yourself in big and small ways. Treat yourself to your favorite coffee or click “purchase” on that new shirt you’ve had in your shopping cart for a while. Checking off milestones in this way can keep you motivated all year long.
Maintain a growth mindset
Chances are, you don’t want to remain in the same position for the next 10 or 20 years. Staying focused on career growth at a company with clearly defined career paths is key. For instance, at Paycom, we’re recognized as a top workplace for career acceleration thanks to our commitment to employee development, opportunities for growth and advancement, and positive company culture.
Psychology Today notes that people with a growth mindset are more likely to take risks, overcome challenges and achieve the goals they’ve set.
You can find out if a company is committed to developing its employees by asking questions about career paths, promotions, incentives and benefits. For true growth, you want to look for a company culture that fosters healthy competition, prioritizes upskilling and rewards its employees for achieving key goals.
Seek meaning and purpose
Your career should feel fulfilling. If you’re not excited to tackle the next challenge or don’t feel connected to your company’s purpose, it’s time to check out a new role. Maybe you feel fulfilled by helping people achieve their goals, by training colleagues or by pushing yourself beyond what you thought you could achieve. Write down what fills your cup, then find a company that will encourage you to do just that.
Discover a motivating career at Paycom
A career at Paycom helps you stay ahead of the curve, as we’re committed to innovating and improving our software to meet the changing needs of our clients. Here, employees are empowered to set goals and work toward achieving them, with regular check-ins and feedback from their managers. We also provide extensive training and support that sets the industry standard.
Our uncapped commission and generous benefits reward employees who know what it means to help clients win every day. Join employees like Autumn, who found meaning and purpose at Paycom.
“I love helping our clients meet their business goals, and with the career goals I’ve achieved, I’ve been able to pay off both my student loans and my car. I have achieved so much more than I ever could have imagined this early in my career.”
—Autumn W., Client Relations Representative
Ready to discover a truly motivating and rewarding career? Apply to Paycom today!
