Here's a rhetorical question: Have you ever felt less than motivated to go to work? For the vast majority of us, the answer is a resounding yes. And this is a serious matter to consider.
When these feelings arise, we do not do our best work, therefore robbing employers, customers, and colleagues of the contributions necessary to stay competitive in the marketplace.
For private sector workers, a lack of motivation is commonly caused by the feeling that our work has no meaning. We're not "saving the world." We believe that even if we give all of ourselves while we are at work, the end result does not matter to global society. We take salaries for granted, and money can be insufficient in preventing getting fired up about going to work in the morning.
Employers should also be on the watch for these sentiments. Feeling a lack of motivation is frequently contagious throughout a workplace, which compounds the root problems and can spread diminished work ethics to other employees.
One of the best ways to infuse meaning into any job is to begin giving a portion of each paycheck to a charitable organization that you believe in. The amount does not have to be large. The key is to realize that your work enables you to make a meaningful contribution to a nonprofit that supports a cause that is important to you. In addition, once you make the first contribution, save the flier you receive from the nonprofit, or print out some information from their website. Put these on a prominent place on your desk. Any time you are feeling unenthusiastic about going to work or doing your best, scan through these materials and remember that your work makes their work possible. This can help reignite that internal fire on Monday mornings.