Motivation is a universal concept, yet everyone defines it differently and is motivated by different things. Some people create an incentive or a reward for themselves, others turn to physical exercise or ask someone else to hold them accountable. So, what should you do if you can’t find your motivation or are unable to stay motivated long enough? In this article, we’ll explore some strategies for staying motivated that will hopefully help you get going and reach your goals.
Try Time Management Techniques
Perhaps you’ve already heard of the 10-minute rule or the Pomodoro Technique – there are many time management systems and techniques out there and you can try the one that fits your personality and goals. If you’re dreading a certain task and can’t find motivation to get started, convince yourself to take action for 10 minutes or 25 minutes (or whatever time limit you set for yourself) and take a break after you reach the mark. Most likely, at that point, you’ll find that you have enough motivation to continue. Breaking down tasks into chunks separated by short breaks is also helpful if you have a hard time staying motivated.
Go for a Walk
Sometimes, a quick walk outside is all we need to clear our head and get a fresh start on a project we’re feeling stuck with. Walking is known to increase blood flow and circulation, which has a positive effect on your central nervous system. That consequently makes you feel less stressed and anxious, which can help you be more focused and motivated. So, strive to incorporate a walking routine into your daily schedule and you’ll see your productivity and motivation slowly improve.
Minimize Your Distractions
How many times have you jumped on social media to quickly check something, later realizing that an hour went by and you’re still mindlessly scrolling through your feed? Technological distractions in particular are especially dangerous because you easily lose track of time and lose all remnants of motivation you had. So, mute your smartphone and smartwatch and silence any incoming notifications if you want to stay motivated. If you have chatty colleagues at work or family members that distract you from your responsibilities, it could be useful to establish proper boundaries, so you can focus on the task in hand and keep the motivational momentum going.
Set Micro-Goals
This idea slightly echoes the first one, only there are no time constraints involved this time. If a larger goal or a task seems intimidating and you can’t find motivation to proceed, try breaking it into micro-goals and taking small steps to achieve it. Once you reach one of your smaller goals, feel free to celebrate a little – it will give you a sense of accomplishment that will propel your motivation forward. And if you don’t know where to start, hubmee will help make sense of your goals (big or small) and help you conquer them with confidence.
Create a Vision Board
Visualizing the things you want to achieve is a great way to stay motivated. Write down your goals, dreams, and plans and find pictures online that visually represent them. You can also do it the old-fashioned way and cut images out from magazines or newspapers. Pin the pictures to a board or save them in your hubmee photo gallery to avoid losing your motivation. Look at them every single day to remind yourself what you’re investing your time, energy, and hard work in.
Don’t Try to Control Everything
If you’re a perfectionist, this probably hits close to home. If you enjoy being in control and get paralized and lose motivation when you feel like you no longer are, try to relax a little. We know it’s easier said than done, but over time, you’ll master this important skill – to control only what you can and stop worrying about what you can’t. Once you let go, stop wondering “what if” regarding everything, and simply focus on your goals and doing the best you can, your motivation will receive a healthy boost. Also, do yourself a big favor and stop comparing your life and accomplishments with those of others. Learn, take notes, get inspired – but never compare. As we all know, “comparison is the thief of joy” (and motivation).
With love, your hubmee ❤️
