What to Do When You Feel Underappreciated at Work

Whenever someone is appreciated in their workplace, their self-esteem increases significantly, and so does their productivity. Although appreciation is a key driver when building morale and loyalty, 40 percent of American employees feel that being underappreciation limits their motivation to excel. Whenever employees feel undervalued, they lose morale and display a lack of interest in their jobs.

Some people have the knack to push on even if their employers show little or no recognition for their efforts. However, lack of appreciation can break down a lot of people and affect productivity in lots of negative ways. The result is a demoralized workforce and poor overall performance that affects the entire organization.

Employees should try the following methods when feeling unappreciated at the workplace:

Before taking any action, one should evaluate whether they are being realistic about their expectations. It’s human nature to misinterpret people’s actions or remarks. Sometimes, the lack of appreciation might come from their employers or peers. Since every employee is busy, the feedback that they give might not be as good as one wants it to be.

Therefore, it’s likely that some of the achievements might be overlooked.

Remember that completing chores perfectly and on time is part of one’s work description and that one doesn’t deserve a pat on the back every time a simple task is completed. Experts recommend undertaking self-evaluation at the workplace. One should have produced extraordinary results that warrant appreciation in the first place before asking for credit.

If one is not a salesperson, it’s quite difficult to analyze work performance. However, someone can evaluate their level of execution of tasks as well as the quality of their work.

Depending on the career, an employee can measure their performance by creating some deliverables, such as the ability to complete chores on time. If clients are happy with the work (even if they don’t say it) that’s sufficient appreciation.

If an employee feels like they aren’t being appreciated at their workplace, maybe there are things that they need to improve. The purpose of the employee of the month award is to recognize the workers that not only work hard but work smart.

The award also signifies that no employee can manage to shine at every evaluation point, whether monthly or quarterly. It also means that their time has not come and that consistent improvement will get one there.

After completing the self-evaluation test, it’s important to develop a list of accomplishments that have gone unsung. One should ensure that these accomplishments are measurable before they talk to their bosses. For example, salespeople should highlight the sales they’ve made during the last quarter.

Dissatisfied employees should highlight areas that they feel their employers have been insensitive to their needs instead of complaining for the sake of it. They should cite key areas that they feel could help them perform better if addressed. In most cases, their bosses will be willing to oblige.

If they’ve worked in their current position for at least six months, they can talk to their managers about their long-term goals. It’s critical to let the managers know that the priority is not only to excel in their positions but also to advance in their careers. Before they talk to the managers, they should ensure that their track record of success speaks for itself.

They should highlight what they are doing to succeed and the nature of support that they require. How well they perform in their current roles will determine whether they can cut it at the next level.

Employees that yearn for promotions should start dressing for the jobs that they crave. They should ensure that they have authority in their current positions before they start solving problems in the department they hope to work in the future.

The only way to achieve this is to focus on self-improvement. Aligning the career goals with the overall objectives of the organization can help the prospective candidates to excel.

Often, the employees’ contribution in a team activity is likely to go unnoticed. The corporate leaders need to know what every team is doing and why it’s important to the organization. In the hectic corporate environment, the boss might not keep track of the daily activities.

For example, if an employee developed a great presentation on behalf of the team, they shouldn’t let their efforts go unnoticed.

Alternatively, they should give themselves credit during the presentation in a natural way and recognize everyone’s efforts. The manager must know what every employee is doing. While touting their achievements, team leaders should recognize the peers that made it possible.

Although being valued and appreciated is a good thing, workers will not always receive accolades for their achievements. Instead of feeling demoralized, they should validate themselves by reflecting on what went well in the past few days. If one won a design competition for the company, it’s vital to take some time to celebrate the achievement.

If things don’t go well, they should have a habit of reflecting on what they need to improve too. By so doing, they will maintain an upbeat mood that prevents them from sinking into deficiency mode. The best way to stay motivated is to set weekly goals and celebrate their achievements once they accomplish them.

One needs the motivation to work hard. Whenever motivation doesn’t come from within, people can try doing something unrelated to their work like developing a daily reading habit.

In this age of unlimited information, employees will find lots of motivational books online that will pick them up when they feel demoralized. Also, they can gain extensive knowledge in their specialty and perform better in the workplace.

While lack of appreciation takes its toll on people’s productivity, it doesn’t have to happen to everyone. Before they consider looking elsewhere, employees should try to maintain or even boost their productivity by setting realistic goals. To perform well, they need to appreciate their jobs.

In the end, they will stay inherently motivated if they see their jobs as part of a larger company mission. If the working environment is not as friendly as they would like, it shouldn’t bog them down. By learning to take criticism positively, they can make it work.

Employees commit a lot of time and effort in the workplace. Research indicates that 64 percent of employees would leave if they feel undervalued. So if they are not being appreciated, the stress might start to weigh down on their mental and physical well-being.

In the end, they might have to decide whether the stress they experience by working there is worth it.

If the situation does not turn around, it might be the ideal time to leave. While leaving their jobs might be scary in this economy, it might be a wise idea if:

• They are being underpaid
• The management doesn’t appreciate the great job they are doing
• They are being denied the resources they require to work
• They are being denied the opportunities for growth
• The job doesn’t fit their long-term career goals

Even if there is a lack of appreciation in the workplace, it’s possible that self-confidence can foster motivation. Instead of feeling disengaged, when nobody gives them the encouragement they crave, they can try various self-motivation methods.

Appreciation is the secret to job satisfaction and better co-existence that leads to more productivity. On the other hand lack of appreciation can drain the last ounces of energy. Working for a hostile boss can lead to a physical or mental breakdown. Therefore, employees should decide whether to stay and adapt or move on before it’s too late.