I recently received an email from a former employer suggesting that I read an article titled “3 Reasons Millenials Are Getting Fired”. I could have easily assumed she was throwing shade as any millennial would, but I was curious to hear the opposing side of an ongoing argument between millennials and their employers.
After reading the article, I learned that employers are fed up with our anti-work attitude and selfish behavior. Many have complained that we expect way more than we are willing to give. They have been flexible in more ways than one by training/mentoring us on the job, providing numerous company benefits, and tolerating our laundry list of excuses. As an entrepreneur, I can understand their argument. Millennials, myself included, have a tendency to ask for more than we are ever willing to give. We’re in a period of our lives where we want to work at popular companies like Viacom or BET because it sounds cool to our peers. It’s rare to find a large percentage of millennials who actually know the facts about a company they claim to love like who’s the head of Viacom? Philippe Dauman.
However, being an intern is no easy task. We are often asked to go above and beyond with little to no financial compensation. We are always on call for work which means our schedule is determined by our employer even if we’re off the clock. The concerns from both parties can ping pong off of eachother all day, but my only goal is to offer a solution. We as interns need to find” intrinsic motivation (internal motivation to work)” once the novelty of a new job wears off. Here are some ways we can keep ourselves motivated:
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Morning Me Time
Every morning is pretty much the same. The annoying alarm goes off, you press snooze about three times, you slug around to get ready for work, then a sense of urgency kicks in once you realize you’ll be late. How does one break this painful pattern? Think of all the ways you’d rather be spending your morning and do just that in small doses. I love listening to Ted Talks for hours, so I wake up an hour early just to listen to one in peace. Gifting myself with an hour to myself helps to regulate my mundane morning routine. Now, I’m motivated by the knowledge I received from the Ted Talk to have a productive morning. Before you start your morning routine, try cracking open that book you’ve been dying to read or making yourself a sit down breakfast.
2. Make a “Got Done List”
A To Do List can be viewed in either two ways: daunting or motivating, but one list that will for sure inspire you is a “Got Done List”. How wonderful is it to see all that you’ve accomplished in a week instead of feeling exhausted by a workload you can’t recall by week’s’ end. At the end of each day, set a goal to add three things you’ve accomplished to your list and review it on Friday right before Happy Hour. Celebrate all your hard work!
3. Be Greatful
I know you’re swamped with tasks and you’re a little cranky, but take a moment to remind yourself of where you are. Stare at the company logo for 10 seconds and let the flashbacks of the application process play through your mind. Remember when you were anxious to apply? Remember when you wow’d your boss with your impressive interview answers ? Reflect on the reasons why you worked so hard to be here, and you’ll notice a boost of motivation overcome you.
4. Challenge Yourself
How can you challenge yourself to do more work when you don’t want to complete the laundry list of tasks you have now? I’m sure your laundry list consists of a few menial tasks that are standard for each day: check emails, file papers, schedule meetings etc, but there’s a big project at the bottom of your list. There’s one on my desk right now that I’m feeling anxious about in wondering if I can perform to the capacity my boss is expecting of me. The questionable doubt can only be answered by doing. Ask yourself what do you fear most and do just that. I am a creative at heart, so my fear is that I won’t be able to execute these amazing ideas. Your next big project gives you the chance to prove to yourself that you can accomplish the things you fear most.
I sympathize with my fellow interns, but there are ways to make the struggle less painful. Try these suggestive tips at work today and let me know if you were motivated to be a little bit more productive.
Annice Terre’ | Twitter: @anniceterre_
