Served your notice? How to keep motivated until the last day

Served your notice? How to keep motivated until the last day

Maximising your final days at work can help the transfer go more smoothly for you and your team, while potentially giving you a boost for the future.

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By remaining involved, professional and upbeat, you can depart your workplace amicably and with a solid reputation. (Envato Elements pic)

So you’ve served your notice and are now in that awkward stage of waiting to leave the workplace. The connection you once had to your work is waning, and every day feels like a countdown to freedom.

While it’s normal to want to get things over and done with, here are some tips on how to maintain your composure and professionalism until the very last day.

1. Remember why last days are important

Your performance in the final days at work still affects you. Strong references, future employment chances, even the opportunity to return if necessary can result from a positive final impression.

Also, you never know when you could run into your coworkers again, so it’s best to act professionally.

2. Establish minimal daily objectives

Try outlining small objectives every day rather than thinking, “I just need to survive.” This may involve completing outstanding duties, training your replacement, or deleting outdated files.

Smaller tasks help you stay productive and pass the time more quickly.

3. Switch to learning

Your notice period can be an ideal time to learn from your employment. Ask inquiries, see how things are done, and make a note of any abilities that might be useful in your next position.

4. (Re)-establish connections

Make the most of this opportunity to network with colleagues, trade contacts and strengthen professional ties. A strong network may prove beneficial for partnerships, employment prospects, or industry insights in the future.

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The last few days at work can be frustrating, but it’s better to maintain a positive attitude than to mentally check out early. (Envato Elements pic)

5. Keep an upbeat attitude

If you drag yourself through each day with a pessimistic outlook, the waiting becomes even more challenging. Instead of mentally checking out early, make an effort to remain attentive during meetings, participate when you can, and maintain your enthusiasm.

You will depart with no regrets and a more positive outlook.

6. Finish final tasks

A clean slate makes things easy for your team. So, complete any unfinished business, record relevant data, and make sure the handover goes smoothly.

This will give your soon-to-be ex-coworkers the impression that you are respectful and responsible.

7. Focus on what’s next

If you are lacking inspiration, concentrate on the anticipation of your upcoming chapter. Work on your CV, update your LinkedIn profile, or begin making plans for your next career.

Remember, you can get the motivation you need to get through the last few days by focusing on the future.

This article was originally written by Anisa Aznan for jobstore.com, an online job site that specialises in providing jobseekers with the latest job opportunities by matching talented individuals with reputable companies in Malaysia. Find your dream job with over 40,000 job vacancies in Malaysia.

Read more articles from Jobstore here.

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