Hi everyone, as we approach the end of our third lockdown here in the UK I figured a post on ways to improve your motivation may be in order.
I don’t know about you but this lockdown has been a tough one, and the light at the end of the tunnel has seemed none existent at times.
We have all had our obstacles throughout the pandemic and sacrifices to make but hopefully, fingers and toes crossed, we are finally seeing hope in the distance.
Now I’ll be honest, one of my main battles throughout lockdown has been lack of motivation. Basic tasks have seemed overwhelming at times and in some ways I feel that I have gone backwards in my goals and ambitions and thats been tough.
However side by side, I hope we can help each other along. So without further ado let’s dive into some simple ways to improve your motivation as we look to the future.
Easy ways to get motivated
Sometimes you need to get started on a project right away or maybe your todo list is overflowing. Maybe you’ve been procrastinating for days, or even weeks, and now you’re running out of time.
The threat of not completing the job or ticking off those todo’s on time should be enough to motivate you to get moving, right? Wrong.
Often, even knowing the consequences that exist for not completing a task aren’t enough to push us forward. Back in my University days I would often feel quite rebellious as my deadlines approached.
Fortunately, there are some tangible steps you can take in order to give yourself a boost when your usual routine isn’t working.
Keep reading for some of the best ways to improve your motivation fast. Adding even a few of these to your bag of tricks may help you to overcome that slump when you need a motivational jumpstart.
Look Ahead
One way to convince your brain that an activity is worth starting is to look ahead to the end result.
Perhaps your taking on a freelance project and looking forward to the pay check? Imagine the feeling of satisfaction you’ll get from handing in that report you’ve been putting off.
No matter what the project, visualizing the result of your efforts can improve your focus and motivation. I often visualise end results in a bid to help me achieve my goals. For the final year of my degree I would take the time every night before sleeping, to visualise my achievement and watch myself walking on stage to collect my scroll.
Consider adding an actual visual such as a photo, magazine clipping or other image to motivate you, vision boards are also a great motivation tool. Check out this link for an example of how to make a vision board.
Get Moving
If you’re feeling restless or you’ve hit a brick wall, you won’t be able to focus on your task. A solution for improving your motivation can be to move your body.
Exercise has been shown to increase mental clarity and decrease stress, this could be just what you need to reboot your motivation. Taking a brisk walk or other activity can be just enough of a jolt to get you in prime thinking mode. It may even give your project a fresh lease of life and inject some much needed enthusiasm.
Take A Rest
It’s also possible that a quick rest can restore your clear thinking. If your brain or thoughts are cloudy, a short nap might be whats needed.
Put your head down on your desk or stretch out on the sofa for 10 or 20 minutes. When you wake up from this power nap, you should be feeling rejuvenated and ready to work.
Listen To Music
Now I’m not going to start telling you what type of music to listen too, you know what you like! However we all know the power of music and how uplifting and motivational it can be.
Going back to my Uni years, I found my usual taste in music too distracting and would end up singing along or even typing lyrics into my reports! I always proofread! So I would play classical music in the background. I wasn’t sat in silence and I found it relaxing.
If you require silence in order to concentrate, put on just a few of your favorites to shift your mood when you take a break, and then get to work.
Start Small
Now I’m the queen of procrastination! I will do ANYTHING to not have to start a project or task.
To overcome this I break down my tasks into smaller sections. I look at what is a realistic goal, even if its small. Honestly it doesn’t even have to be a big leap, just start small.
Write lists to break your task down. Do smaller pieces of research, treat yourself to a new notebook or pen (any excuse to buy stationary!)
These small actions can put you in the right mindset to keep working on the rest. Getting started is half the battle.
These suggestions can, and should, be tailored to fit your personality, preferences and lifestyle. Experiment a bit. Use the ones that work for you, and throw out the rest. Simple actions will increase your motivation massively.
I would love to hear your top tips for kick starting your motivation! What works for you? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
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Becky 💚
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