It happens to all of us. We all go through phases in life where we’re feeling super tired and unmotivated. I don’t know about you but during these times, the only thing I really feel like doing is watching Netflix or sleeping my problems away. And while I do feel like the occasional Netflix binge or self-care day is good for the soul, I also am aware that there is A LOT of adulting that needs to happen while I’m pretending that my problems don’t exist. That’s why I’ve put together a list of methods that have helped me wipe away my tears and get things done. I hope that these tips can inspire anyone who’s feeling stuck right now to work through their own difficult season.
1. Problem: You’re feeling burnt-out
Solution: Declutter your time
As a professional people pleaser, I hate to tell anybody “no”, which is why I usually end up feeling like there are way too many things on my plate. But sometimes, all the different areas of your life can become busy at the same time and it may feel suffocating. I never want to let anybody down, so I continue to push through in order to fulfill extra obligations that really serve no purpose other than contributing to my burn out. But as much as it might pain me to step back from things and tell people “no,” decluttering my time the same way I would declutter my “stuff” helped me keep my priorities in check. I had more time to do the things that were actually important.
2. Problem: You’re dreading the task
Solution #1: Set a timer and tackle the most dreaded item on your to-do list
Staying motivated can especially be difficult when you’re not looking forward to completing some of the tasks on your to-do list. This can cause most people to waste entire days looking for ways to avoid them. For me personally, I had this subconscious fear that my work was going to take a long time to finish or that I wouldn’t be able to deliver something spectacular. The number one thing that helped me overcome this was writing out how long I thought each task was going to take and then timing myself. I was shocked to see that each time, my estimates were two times longer. I was able to get my work done way more quickly than I thought.
Solution #2: Go back to your Purpose
Sometimes, reminding yourself why you are trying to accomplish a certain task can help you get going. For me, I have to keep reminding myself that my desire is to use the knowledge and skills that I acquire to help other people in whatever way I am able to. Once I figured out the answer to my “why,” I was able to find a more clear purpose behind what I was doing, which ended up motivating me.
Solution #3: Try the 25/5 rule and give yourself a reward afterward
One trick you can use to be more productive is the 25/5 rule. Basically, for 25 minutes, you COMMIT to focusing only on one task. It’s amazing how much you can accomplish if you refrain from touching your phone during that time period or getting distracted by other things. When those 25 minutes are up, you can give yourself 5 minutes to take a break and check your socials or do anything your heart desires.
Additionally, if you need more motivation to stay on task, reward yourself. I’m not ashamed to say that I like to bribe myself with rewards as long as it will help me get those dreaded tasks out of the way. I tell myself that once I finish X, I can do Y. I usually like to treat myself to some ice cream! Find what makes you happy and use that to fuel you. It will give you something to look forward to.
Staying motivated can be hard especially when you don’t feel like doing anything at all. With the end of the semester approaching, I hope that you can use some of these tips to be more productive during the day. Trust me, the end result will make the seemingly painful process worth it.