Tax season is almost over, which means the heavy work loads are here. This time of the year is no walk in the park and can feel never ending. The motivation to finish strong might start to vanish as the season approaches a close. Here are 5 ways to stay motivated. 

How to stay motivated during the busy season 

1. Set an end time or rest time 

Working long hours has been proven to directly correlate to stress and anxiety. This shows it is unrealistic to feel energized all the time, and is important to rest your mind and body. This could mean setting a designated time to unplug for a moment or setting a specific time to end your workday. Doing this will allow for a better performance during the time you are working. 

2. Create a positive work environment  

A positive environment allows for better retention and a more productive workplace. It also allows for a boost in employee’s wellbeing. Encouraging good communication, unwinding with a game of ping pong, or showing empathy are a few ways to foster a positive culture. Another way to create a positive environment is to have the proper lighting in the office. Business New Daily mentions that exposure to natural light can improve the mood, energy, and mental health of an environment. This could be the excuse you were needing to change the light bulbs or add windows to your workplace. 

3. Take some time to treat your employees

This time of year is a great time to show employee appreciation. It can be something as simple as catering a lunch to the office, or allowing employees to wear casual dress. You could go a little more extravagant and rent a massage chair for a day, or bring in a yoga instructor one morning. The options are endless and showing appreciation builds trust and provides an opportunity to connect.

4. Acknowledge employee success and work 

Recognition is just as important as appreciation. In fact, it is essential to incorporate both of these to foster a positive and motivated work environment. Recognition, whether formal or informal, are both good ways to promote good behavior. Formal recognition could be a promotion, or award given in front of a team. An informal recognition can be for all employees and is more of acknowledging hard work with a note or in front of a team. Keeping a stash of prizes and blank cards could be a great way to make sure recognition is a part of your workplace.  

5. Encourage healthy habits 

When things are at their busiest, it can be easy to result to a snack instead of a lunch, or large amounts of caffeine. Although these things seem like the easiest way to get a lot of work done, it can be very draining on the body. Keep low stress by engaging in these different activities, or stock your kitchen with healthy options in addition to the yummy treats. During this time it is valuable to take your full lunch, as it will give your mind a break and provide energy for the remainder of the work day. 

These tips are provided primarily for this busy season, but it’s important to keep in mind that hard work is a given year round. Take this opportunity to create good habits to increase your motivation and a healthier working environment. 

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