Motivation is the secret engine that keeps us going every day. While it's hard to stay motivated all the time, it's important to know a few things that should be avoided, to preserve it.
What I try to avoid:
Surrounding yourself with negativity
This can happen more often that you can imagine, as some programmers always like to brag or criticize something - the tech stack is old, the code is bad, the milestones are not set right, the deadlines are not ok and so on...
The Solution, even if it's easier said than done - be the one that has the positive attitude. And try to be the one that comes up with solutions. Help people see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel 💡.
Ex: Code is bad - come up with a strategy for the team to also create & implement refactoring tasks. Every time you see a code smell that you can not fix right away - create a refactoring task.
The code narcissist
This is a special type of creature that you need to avoid. You also need to be aware you don't become this beast. This is that type of developer that thinks everyone is below him. He writes the best code ever, has the best solutions and only he can find the answer to some problems.
This is a motivational killer because the code narcissist feeds his ego with letting other people from the team down.
The micromanager
What is the current status of X?
...A few hours later ⌛ ...
What is the current status of X?
This kind of de-motivator is one that really kills your productivity but also your self-esteem. It's a big question of why the micro-manager is asking the annoying question so often. Is it a trust issue that you won't work as hard if he doesn't put so much pressure on?
Overtime
It's no secret, overtime will lead to burnout. It might be tempting to think you can put through the extra hours 🕒... But, you need to keep in mind you are most productive when you are well rested and have a clear mind 🧠.
Social media
This is a big motivational killer because one of the motivation fundamentals is that you get things done ✅. And you get things done if you avoid distractions. Spending a lot of your day in social media does exactly the opposite, and will of course kill your motivation.
Solution - turn of your phones internet connection & hide it from sight. Have a web blocker for certain social media websites during your workday.
Comparing yourself to others
Of course it demotivates us because we are not others. We were not born with the same native talents, didn't live the same past & experiences. So it's useless to compare ourself to others. Yeah it might be a cool idea to see what cool stuff others people achieved & try to also pursue some of the things they did... but ... we need to measure those results in in relation our own past success 📏.
We should take pride in our results based on the fact that we achieved things that we did not have before! 🙌
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What are the things that de-motivate you?
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