How to Motivate Your Coworkers With These 10 Simple Tips
Carrying out a New Year’s Resolution can be tough and the fact that most people end up repeating the same resolutions year after year is proof of that. But what can you do to change that? Tons of things but it does require one important element: honesty. If a coworker mentions their resolutions (that they want to lose weight or exercise more), you can definitely help out and put that into effect with some very well thought out steps and that means looking at the good and the bad. In this post, we talked about having an accountability cohort. In this case, this is the role you’ll be playing. We need all the help we can get and who better to give it than a coworker who understands what it’s all about? Yes, you’ll have to be responsible so make sure you can crack the whip. At least a little bit.
1. Categorize the goals.
If there are hefty goals like buying a new house, it is definitely not going to be in the same category as reading one book a month. So if your coworker has a number of goals, sit with them to work out what they want. It is always good to know what all their resolutions are so that you can see how you can help them out. It may even make you a more effective team.
2. Solidarity.
If you join in the cause, it helps because you are both going through the same thing. Maybe your coworker says they want to eat better. So why not try to help out by not eating fatty foods in front of them or cutting out bad food from your daily eating regimen? Seeing someone else “suffer” as much as one does is a good way to get people on your side and if they see you trying just as hard, it helps.
3. Help them set up a timeline.
It helps to have a small goal to have done in a reasonable amount of time. Discuss what sounds possible and work it out from there. Can they lose one pound in a month? How long does it take to save up the money for that dream vacation? What sort of payments would they have to make for that nice convertible they’ve always wanted and would it be feasible on their salary?
4. Be sensitive.
If your coworker is trying to exercise more, try not to make them feel like they are missing out. It’s a question of common sense so try and be kind. If they need to make a certain quota for their monthly, help them out by not chatting so much or reminding them to continue working when they want to play around.
5. Solving problem cases.
Your coworker most likely has a resolution that has been on the list previously. If so, take a good look at the problem with your coworker and see why it didn’t work. Maybe they lost steam. Maybe they felt it wasn’t working. Maybe they thought it wasn’t going to work anyway. Whatever the reason, a careful examination of the situation is needed. Whatever method that was used the previous time obviously didn’t work. So have them ask themselves “why?”
6. Create manageable goals.
Let’s say your coworker wants a new job. Sucks for you because your buddy is leaving but it’s a great thing to aspire to for your coworker. Break down the idea in its separate steps. Get that CV up to date. Help them out with its revision so that it’s a killer resume. Help them out with their strong points. Rehearse the interview and pretend to be the HR person.
7. Reward good deeds.
If your coworker managed to make it to a milestone, don’t be skimpy with the compliments. Remind them of how far they have come and how fantastic it is that they’ve made it to this point. Remember: any little bit helps.
8. Punishment is not allowed.
If they don’t make a goal in a certain length of time, make sure they don’t beat themselves up. It’s like the saying, “Your eyes are bigger than your stomach.” You think you can eat all that food piled upon your plate but you only make it halfway. There is no shame in that. Remind your coworker that they can change up the resolution and make it more manageable. Have them write down every single step they need to take to get to their goal. It helps to be able to see it all laid out.
9. Be that angel on their shoulder.
You don’t want to mother them but you certainly don’t want to let them slide if you see that they are not staying on course. Remind them who they are doing this for and why. And what the potential consequence can be (in other words, repeating this resolution next year).
10. The Fear Factor.
There is always that “coulda, shoulda, woulda” mentality in fear. It’s what drives a lot of people to think that they just can’t. Remind them that this is an opportunity and if they don’t do it now, when will they do it? No one is guaranteed “tomorrow” so tell them to saddle up and ride it out. The key to a New Year’s Resolution is knowing yourself. So if your coworker knows that they get easily distracted, find out how they can concentrate and what sort of situations they need to do so. If they are chatty, see with whom so that they can get involved as well. It’s a question of knowing how to prevent a possible ditched effort.