Learn how to summon motivation for when you need it, like, yesterday.
Spring has finally arrived bringing its bright, budding leaves and warming sun, and with it, a vanishing sense of motivation. Midterms are ending and finals are just around the corner, making motivation even more important. How convenient! Well, no worries! Here are five ways to find motivation exactly when you need it.
1. Breathe in those citrus scents.
Photo by Edgar Castrejon on Unsplash
Our sense of smell can be powerful when it comes to our moods. Citrus scents have been known to energize and invigorate. Try diffusing orange or lemon essential oils or lighting a fresh, citrus candle to set the mood.
2. Take a walk.
Photo by Rodion Kutsaev on Unsplash
Sometimes staring at your computer screen for too long can make your thinking go stale. Taking a short break to leave the room, walk around outside for five minutes, or even to squeeze in a short workout, can reset the brain. Any of these options will bring you back to your work refreshed.
3. Clear your mind.
Photo by Estée Janssens on Unsplash
Our schedules and to-do lists are so bogged down with countless obligations, it’s no wonder our brains get fuzzy sometimes! I often find that my mind is buzzing with a variety of different thoughts, worries, and random bits of information that distract me from the important task at hand. Doing a quick brain dump on paper or taking a yoga class are great ways to clear the mind.
4. Watch an inspirational video.
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Is it possible to NOT be inspired by Oprah? No, I don’t think so. Watching her Golden Globes speech, or a Ted Talk by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, or another inspirational woman is exactly what I need to put a fire in my belly. Empowered women empower women, right? So let them empower you!
5. Jam out
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We all have that one song that gets our toes tapping and our head bobbing. Set it on replay and let it be your anthem. Studying is always better with a good beat.
Let’s stop thinking of motivation as this fleeting bird, near-impossible to catch. Instead, let’s declare it as something we control – a tool that is ours to wield. Oh, how our lives will change!
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