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Jun 4, 2017, 16:56 PM by Joanne Svendsen

Not all tasks are created equal - some will be more repetitive and tedious. So how do you motivate staff to do the dull stuff better?

Motivated employees will often go the extra distance to get the job done when they are actively engaged in the task, and their contribution is recognised and rewarded. However, not all tasks are created equal with some more repetitive and tedious. So how do you motivate staff to do the dull stuff better?

Here's 8 tips to keep them interested:

1. Set clear expectations and goals but be realistic
There is nothing more disheartening and a guarantee of failure than an unachievable target. Realistic goals are more likely be achieved and even exceeded.

2. Variety

• Inject more interesting tasks once in a while to break up monotony.
• Rather than taking on a mountain of a job, chip away at it. Like the saying goes "eat an elephant with bite size chucks". Broken down into smaller tasks, the total job will be more manageable and achievable.

3. Encourage regular and planned work breaks

• Exercise refreshes and stimulates the brain and body. Employees should get up or have a stretch about every 30 minutes.
• Rotate your employee's tasks so everyone gets a change – this will help keep the team focused and reduce errors. ;
• If your team are desk based, make sure lunch is eaten away from the desk. Carrying on working through a lunch break is a recipe for fatigue induced mistakes, plus science has shown that sitting for 8 hours per day has devastating effects on the human body.

4. Job ownership

• Why not brainstorm with your staff how they would handle the task? Frequently staff have valuable ideas how to improve work performance. Involving them, helps create ownership and a share in results.
• Listen to your employees and be prepared to act on their suggestions. Constructive criticism should be a two-way thing.

5. Mix it up

• Make the work environment enjoyable – use music and encourage laughter. A fun and interactive workplace is way more productive and stimulating.

6. Rewards are great incentives

• And it doesn't always have to be about money. Gift Cards, lunch or even chocolate fish rewards can be fun. Time off work is always a hit as well.
• Recognise outstanding performance by individuals and team effort.
• For the big jobs, the guarantee of career advancement, a bonus or a raise is an outstanding motivation.

7. Work in teams

• As the Three Musketeer's motto goes "One for all, and all for one". Encourage teams to self-regulate and own the job at hand. By each member helping the other complete the task, they're more likely to work together for a positive outcome.
• Encourage the teams who finished to get stuck in and help their teammates so everyone finishes together.

8. Share the workload

• Having managers at the coalface working alongside staff is a motivating force. It helps acknowledge the "team" effort and the desire for an overall good result. Staff feel valued for their contribution and that no role is too big for the job at hand.

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