Motivating yourself at work is a key part to your business’s success. If you exude motivation and dedication, this will be felt by your employees and they will often rise up to the challenge too.

Here are my six top tips for motivating your business-self:

1. Never sit still

I never sit down at work. People who sit down can be prone to slouching. This makes them more introvert and less inspired. However, if you are standing up, you are likely to gain a more confident posture, which will translate into the way you work. You will naturally feel more motivated as you are literally put ‘on the spot’.

I know I do my best work and come up with my best ideas when I’m standing up. I’d recommend everyone give this a go for a day – you’ll be amazed at what you achieve.

2. Trade in coffee for the gym

There’s no doubt in my mind that working hard in the gym every morning will set you apart in the world of business. The average worker might kick-start their day with a coffee. However, if you start the day in the gym, you will feel like you can conquer the world.

Whether you smash a personal record, run faster than you thought you could, or complete an extra lap in the pool, a work out means you have already achieved something great, even before you arrive in the office. I leave the gym 12-foot high on endorphins and ready to square up to whatever the day throws at me.

3. Succeed together

Working with a team is one of the best ways to get motivated. A team is your most important asset, as you can’t do everything alone. It’s important to respect the skills of different individuals and working together brings out the best in everyone.

In any business, it shouldn’t just be about a few people in the boardroom. At Adapt, we’re only able to excel in what we do because of the knowledge and technical skills across the entire company. 

“Succeed together” is my most important mantra in business. I’d recommend you play a team sport to get the fullest sense of being a team player. You’ll soon see how this can translate to the workplace.

4. Don’t just face your demons, smash them

It’s probably fair to say that everyone has demons. Whether they’re the result of someone putting you down in the past, a lack of self-belief or a knock to your confidence, demons are demotivating.

Don’t let your past hold you back. There’s plenty you can learn from previous encounters, mistakes or pressures. Personally, I tackle demons during my daily workout. Whatever your demons are, beating them will leave you feeling on top of the world. There’s no better motivation. Afterwards you will feel enthusiastic, determined and up for anything.

Read about more ways to motivate your staff:

• Creating a motivated workforce begins with recruitment
• 8 ways to keep your staff motivated at work
• Charlie Mullins: Making a workforce feel valued and thanks is key to success

5. “No” is a challenge

I don’t take this lightly. If someone says ‘no’ to me, or tells me I can’t do something, I become determined to prove them wrong. Turning negativity into a challenge is a great way or motivating yourself. For me, I live, eat and breathe it this mantra. I even have a tattoo that says “find a way or make one” in Latin.

When you’ve denied someone the satisfaction of “no”, you have probably just done something incredible for your business. Maybe you’ve made a groundbreaking business deal or found a solution to a complicated challenge. Either way you’ve set yourself apart from the rest of the business world.

6. No half measures

People that excel in business are often compelled to chase the thrill of achievement. It’s addictive. In order to truly achieve, you need to state your objective and then commit to it.

There should be no half measures. Doing anything by half will get you exactly halfway and no further. However, if you announce your end goal, only getting to the halfway point is simply not an option. In the long run, this certainly won’t ensure your business outperforms the competition.  

Scotty Morgan is sales and marketing director at Adapt.

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