However dedicated we are at work, it might seem as though we haven’t achieved that much at the end of the day. Whatever the case, there are simple steps you can take to shift your mindset and boost your motivation.
Below, four frontline, retail, and healthcare workers share the tips that have worked for them:
Start your day with a positive affirmation
“I’ve started saying a positive affirmation when I get out of the car every morning. I’ll say something like, ‘You got this!’ And I’ve noticed that it actually helps! I think that because I live alone, most of my encouragement has to come from within. So it was important for me to use that moment to encourage myself every morning. I’m more social at work now, and gratitude has helped with that.”
—Shannon Gillund, Camrose, AB
Take breaks to reset
“There was one day at work when people were calling my name, and it felt like I was the only one there to help. I wanted to scream. I left the store during my break, got into my car, and I just laid back and focused on my breathing for a minute. It was the first time I ever did that. And giving myself that minute to get it together made the biggest difference. Ever since that day, I’ve started meditating during my lunch break and it really relieves my stress.”
—TaNeka McNair, Raeford, NC
Make time for gratitude
“I’m a Nurse Manager and a mom of two, and work can get stressful. One thing that brings me purpose is gratitude. I’m more grateful than ever for my patients and my nurses. I always realized I had a wonderful bunch of nurses, but during the pandemic, they really stepped up and went above and beyond, administering COVID vaccines to over 5000 veterans. I always let the nurses know how much I appreciate them.”
—Rayann Pina, Fredericksburg, VA
Lean on your co-workers for support
“My co-workers help keep me motivated. I need their encouragement to help me get through when I need motivation to go that extra mile. I work the 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. shift but I try to get to the store at around 3:00 a.m., and before I start work I’m walking around the building and doing my daily cardio. My co-workers really have been encouraging me and I’m getting a lot of emotional support from them.”
—Kyle Wheeler, Fort Mohave, AZ