No one ever said that working in ecommerce was easy. It can often be quite challenging to stay motivated when you’re dealing with website crashes, inventory issues, and customer service inquiries all day long. However, you can stay focused and motivated on the job with a few simple tips. Here are a few ways to get you started:
1. Look at the Positives
It may seem cliche, but you should start by looking on the bright side. Optimism will be the coal in your fire, keeping your engine running and you warm.
You may have to stretch yourself to discover the positive in a situation but consider what’s at stake— your livelihood.
Work is where we spend most of our time. If we begin to experience thoughts of pessimism there, it can lead to a risk of depression.
So, how can you muster some positivity and self-motivation when things become rough?
Make a list of everything you like about your job. It doesn’t need to be a list of amazing perks but think instead of what you already have. You could start with number one: I have a job.
Being grateful for the little things, like having a job, might help you shift your perspective.
2. Set Goals
Whether you’re aiming to increase sales by 25 percent this year or want to improve your customer satisfaction rating, having your goals in writing will help keep you on track.
When you have clear goals, you are more motivated to complete your work. This pushes you to do your work assignments quickly and at a high quality.
Setting realistic objectives will help you think about what you want to achieve and give you something to strive towards.
3. Connect with Others
Workplace connections are powerful motivators. Keeping in touch with like-minded people who share your vision of the future can keep you motivated at work.
A mentor might also be beneficial. They can not only educate you on what you need to know for your future job, but they can also give you a great support system.
Coworkers who have been with the company for a long time have likely experienced many of the same worries and doubts you have; the difference is that they can help you overcome them.
4. Don’t Make Sales the Only Goal
Working in Ecommerce sales is a tough job. Selling isn’t always fun and can be incredibly stressful. But what about meeting new people, making new friends, and forming good relationships?
Sheena Tahilramani, the owner of Banter & Bliss Candle Company, sees sales events like fairs and festivals as an opportunity to engage with clients that she can’t have until she’s there in person.
“People want to be able to smell candles and home fragrance items before they make a purchase.”, Tahilramani explains. “You just never know when that customer you met at a show will pull out the marketing material or free shipping code you provided them and place an order on your website or recognize your brand at a local store. In-person selling is a part of a much larger picture.”
She and her staff keep motivated by framing each event as a chance to build trust with customers, rather than just making sales as the only goal.
5. Get Involved with the eCommerce Community
According to a study, for some workers, the best motivation doesn’t come in the form of larger pay but in maintaining a sense of closeness and connections with their peers.
“Peer pressure is a strong motivating force, and workers’ willingness to please people who mean something to them is often a stronger motivating force than financial rewards,” said Greg Stewart, a Research Professor of Management and Organizations at the Tippie College of Business.
Professional organizations generally have an environment of positive peer pressure, which influences members to do positive actions and grow professionally.
Start attending events and being active in online and offline ecommerce communities.
By getting involved, you’ll learn what’s working for other businesses and how to apply those techniques to your ecommerce job. You’ll also meet other entrepreneurs and ecommerce experts who can offer advice and support.
6. Celebrate and Reward Yourself
Instead of focusing on the bad aspects of your job, give yourself some positive reinforcement by celebrating your achievements.
Also, take the time to reward yourself just for your effort. Treat yourself to a movie, a nice dinner, or whatever pleasant activity you like most at the end of each week.
Even minor accomplishments are worthy of praise and reward. Celebrating your achievements and rewarding yourself can help you stay positive and encourage you to keep working hard.
7. Strive for Work-Life Balance
No matter how passionate you are about your product, working nonstop can ultimately lead to burnout.
Make time to relax and rejuvenate when you’re not at work.
Exercising can help you relax, but don’t go overboard. Leave work at work as much as possible to avoid working longer hours. Unplug from your professional life (put your e-mails away, turn off your phone calls) and take some time to unwind.
Balance is the key to remaining motivated.
Final Thoughts
When you work in ecommerce, there will be times when you feel uninspired or unmotivated. But don’t give up! There are ways to stay motivated and push through the tough times.
By following the advice above and staying positive, you can enjoy your work and be successful in your ecommerce career.
If you need help to take your ecommerce career to the next level, Jarvis can help!
Jarvis is a world leader in ecommerce recruitment services. We have successfully helped thousands of ecommerce professionals get their dream jobs.
Ready to make your ecommerce career goals a reality?