The stress of unemployment can really take a toll on confidence and mood. For some people it could lead to depression, for others a mere lack of motivation and a feeling of hopelessness. Employment is one of the main structures that helps people in our society feel positive, develop financial independence and establish hope for the future.

Even for those who have jobs, motivation is a difficult state to achieve and maintain. Businesses are losing thousands of hours of productivity each year, and staff are distracted from their jobs with everything from “cyber surfing” to taking 5 coffee breaks a day (which, by the way, can leave you broke considering the increased recent in coffee prices). ).

In a recent survey conducted by silicon.com, the results revealed that “while 23% of respondents identified cyber loafing as the number one obstacle to a productive workforce, 32% identified ‘low staff morale and lack of of motivation'”. of the participants”.

So aside from the short-term benefits of drinking coffee early in the morning, what are some alternatives to motivating yourself for work?

Stimulate your mind and your mouth

Eating breakfast in the morning has been shown time and time again to give you a nutritional boost both physically and mentally. But what about emotionally? Can breakfast be enough to get you going for the day? Starting the day well does not mean entering the office with a full stomach. It means going in with a full stomach and a full set of ideas.

Engaging in mental activities like doing a crossword puzzle or meditating can really sharpen your mind in a short amount of time. If none of the exercises appeal to you, then pick up the newspaper or read a book that is relevant to your line of work. By doing so, you may be able to gain new ideas for your business or learn more about new trends in the industry.

You’ve got mail! Get your daily dose of wisdom

My favorite time of day is when I get inspirational quotes in my inbox. You can sign up for some inspiring newsletters by surfing the web. My personal favorite is the John Baines Forum (www.ihpny.org). By the time I finish reading them, I instantly feel a powerful connection between my mind and spirit: the 2 most essential ingredients for external productivity and internal happiness.

Get out of the box (office)

Have you ever heard of the phrase “Being so close to the forest that you can’t see the trees”? Well, many times people experience this in their work environments, and with good reason! Your environment determines your level of productivity and it’s not always easy to see the trees (ideas) when you’re always in the woods (office). Sometimes the best remedy is to get out of the box, I mean, office. If you have a meeting in your office with a client, see if you can rearrange it at your favorite neighborhood cafe. Not only does this provide a more relaxed environment for both people, but it also allows them to connect more on a human level.

If you feel overwhelmed with your time and energy, turn off your computer, go for a walk, and take a deep breath. If that doesn’t help, see if there are any seminars or roundtables you can attend that week on time management and fatigue.

Start your week with a weekly report

Whether you have a job or not, the most important thing to do before your “work week” begins is to write down all the goals you have for that week. Make sure you set a specific timeline for completing your goals. That way, you will be responsible to yourself if you miss the deadline. Reserve punishments and rewards to keep yourself in check.

Personally, I like to print out my weekly report and stick it on my desk so it’s always in front of me. Always have a marker next to you so that when you finish, you mark what you have completed. If you are computer literate, you can use programs like ACT or Outlook.

In short, true motivation is found within your heart. If you can’t find it there, it may be because you lack the right resources, techniques, and environment that are conducive to your personal productivity. If these resources are aligned correctly, you’ll not only be able to reach your highest levels of motivation, but you’ll also be able to lower your monthly spending habits at your local Starbucks.