Worker exhaustion has been a growing issue since the pandemic. There are myriad reasons for this, but the bottom line is that more of us need reinvigorating in 2024. 

[Oft-quoted Adam Grant](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/adamgrantquotesperfectionismpotentialprocrastination) is one of the **world's most inspiring speakers** on work-life, culture, motivation, and management thinking. His TED talks have been viewed 30 million times and his bestselling books include _Give and Take, Originals,_ and [_Think Again_](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/adamgrantleadershipskills) _._

As we reflect on his exciting first tour to Australia, it's fitting we pull 7 motivating quotes and tips from his newest book _Hidden Potential_ to give our positivity a bit of a jog along.

1.  _**What counts is not how hard you work but how much you grow**_**.**

Perhaps you're losing motivation because you've not yet reached your goals. In this quote, Adam Grant makes the point that the most meaningful form of performance is **progress**.

He says we should redefine success this way: The ultimate mark of potential is not the height of the peak you've reached, but the distance you've travelled, and helped others travel.

_2. **Relaxing is not a waste of time its an investment in wellbeing.**_

Okay, so you don't want to stay in bed all day. But, maybe your [languishing](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/adamgrantlanguishingsigns) comes from denying yourself regular breaks. Adam Grant recommends taking breaks. He says they have at least 3 benefits.

*   **Breaks help us sustain harmonious passion**. Grant says that research indicates that even micro-breaks of 5 to 10 minutes are enough to reduce fatigue and raise energy.
*   **Breaks unlock fresh ideas.** In his own research with Jihae Shin, Grant found that taking breaks boosts creativity as you keep the problem active in the back of your mind, and you can incubate new ways of framing it and solving it.
*   **Breaks deepen learning.** One study found taking a 10 minute break after learning something improved recall for students by 10% to 30%.  Research shows that after 24 hours the information starts to fade, so you need to build in spaced repetition of the learnings.

_3\. **A digression doesn't have to be a diversion. It can be a source of energy.**_

In one study quoted by Adam Grant, people who had spent engaging evenings on side hustles performed better the next day in their regular jobs. Turns out they had an extra spring in their step the following morning.

Hobbies at home also **lifted confidence** at work, found another study. The strongest known force in daily motivation is a sense of progress, says Adam. Taking a detour with a hobby or side hustle can help you refuel.

_4\. **Many people fail to benefit from constructive criticism because they overreact and under-correct.**_

Perhaps your exhaustion and lack of motivation comes from getting honest advice you didn't like. Adam Grant suggest that you should decide which **sources to trust** , and decide what advice is worth absorbing and what should be filtered out.

He says progress hinges on the quality of the information you take in. Listen to coaches who are credible, familiar to you, and who care about you. Another great idea is to listen to the advice we give to others - it's usually the advice we need to take for ourselves, says Adam.

_5\. **Excellence is more than meeting other people's expectations. Its also about living up to your own standards.**_

Adam Grant says it's better to disappoint others than to disappoint yourself. He says that before you release something to the world, turn to the final judge: you. He recommends you ask yourself: If this was the only work people saw of yours, would you be proud of it?

This is how you can begin to build back intrinsic motivation. Seeking validation is a **bottomless pit**, he says, as the craving for status is never satisfied.

_6\. **The expectations people hold of us often become self-fulfilling prophecies.**_

Whoa! This is a biggie, and why you need to surround yourself only with people who believe in your potential. They give you a ladder to reach higher places, says Adam. Dozens of experiments show that at work, when leaders hold high expectations, employees generally work harder, learn more, and perform better.

Conversely, **low expectations** tend to hold us back, he says (unless the doubter expressing those low expectations themselves lacks credibility, or is a novice). Low expectations from a _knowledgeable_ person shatters your confidence and stifles your growth.

_7\. **Every failure followed by later success is a mark of hidden potential.**_

Perhaps you're feeling blah because you've had recent failure. This can certainly sap motivation as nobody likes to make mistakes, be wrong, or fail.

Ideally, you want to fail in a [workplace culture](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/adamgrantworkplaceculture) where there is [psychological safety](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/adamgrantpsychologicalsafety).

As we learned from Harvard Business School professor Amy Edmondson on her new book _The Right Kind of Wrong,_ a culture of psychological safety actually embraces the admission of mistakes, as research proves this is the environment in which employees and companies innovate and thrive.

She explained a type of failure called **intelligent failure.** Perhaps that's the trajectory you're on right now?

Adam Grant says it's the trajectory of performance over time that matters. Overcoming adversity is a positive we should be proud of.

_(Bonus) 8. **Procrastination is a common problem whenever you're pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone.**_

Could you be procrastinating because you have an activity that is stirring up unpleasant feelings? Procrastination is a common avoidance technique, but Adam Grant says that if we avoid the **discomfort** of learning techniques that don't come easily to us, we limit our own growth.

And, it's not enough to simply accept minimal discomfort _when it arises_ , he says. Surprisingly we're better off **actively seeking out** discomfort. Adam says practising a skill before you master it is uncomfortable, so you often avoid it. So, ask yourself if your exhaustion symptoms are actually a fear of trying or practising something new and, if so, be a bit braver in embracing that discomfort.

**About Adam Grant**

Adam Grant is a renowned organisational psychologist, bestselling author, and global influencer. As Wharton's top-rated professor for seven consecutive years, his expertise in motivation, generosity, original thinking, and rethinking has made him a leading authority in his field.

His five _New York Times_ bestselling books _Think Again, Give and Take, Originals, Option B_ , and _Power Moves_ have resonated with millions of readers in 45 languages. His latest book is _Hidden Potential._

With hugely successful TED talks and his TED podcasts WorkLife and ReThinking, plus a substantial social media following and popular monthly newsletter, Adam Grant is one of the world's most inspiring thinkers and speakers.

Photo by [Cam Adams](https://unsplash.com/@camadams?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash) on [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/photos/man-wearing-white-long-sleeved-shirt-on-air-photo-imBSxksI7DA?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash)

7 top tips from Adam Grant to boost your motivation in 2024

Re-energise yourself with Adam Grant's motivational tips

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Stay Inspired

7 top tips from Adam Grant to boost your motivation in 2024

Re-energise yourself with Adam Grant's motivational tips

Keep informedStay Inspired

Keep informed
Stay Inspired