Life in business holds a lot of facets that need to be explored and mastered. The businesses that are able to do this are the ones that are successful and make it in the long run. If there is one aspect of running a business that isn’t being worked on, as a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, this leaves a company in a vulnerable state that can cost the enterprise its right to even be called a business.

One facet of business that needs to be carefully monitored and adjusted is relations between employees and management in as it pertains to productivity and motivation. When everybody has their own lives, it can be hard to punch the clock and commit to what it is you’re doing at work. As a business owner, a manager, or an employee who is desperately trying to figure out how to stay motivated and productive, here are some things you can do:

Lace Up Your Running Shoes

Work is so much more than a business. Everybody is present to make money, but it’s a very large chunk of people’s lives. If they’re punching the clock only to wait with anticipation for the hours to creep by so that they can go home and start again tomorrow, the atmosphere in the office will reflect this. One thing that will help the office as a whole is developing a group exercise regimen. When everybody spends hours in a chair or at a desk, health goes downhill and motivation goes right along with it.

As an office, try lacing up the running shoes and committing to spend an hour or so of the day each day working on health together. It’s a great way to build relationship as well as bring people back to a mindset of productivity and health.

Offer Incentives People Actually Want

It can be challenging to put together incentives that people will strive for in a work environment. Everybody has different interests. One reason you might not have motivated and productive staff is because you’re not treating them as well as they should be treated. People need to feel that they’re valued, and while you’re a business and you might be able to replace your employees in a moment, this will cost you a lot in the long run if you have high turnover. Training is not a cheap thing to put people through.

If you want to boost motivation and productivity in the office, treat people with respect and love, but also offer them incentives to work for that they actually want. A prize that nobody wants is as exciting as a gift from grandma for your birthday when you know she’s going to give you the ugliest and most useless thing in the world.