Motivation is a rather tricky feeling. Some days you feel it, and other days you can’t grab a corner of it no matter how hard you try. You stare at the computer screen, willing yourself to type, create, develop, and instead you find yourself simply going through the motions, barely caring about the work you’re producing. Needless to say, you’re totally uninspired, and you don’t know how to make yourself feel otherwise.
Here are some real and practical solutions for digging up that lost motivation and getting a job not just done—but completed with a sense of passion.
-
1. Don’t think about work as hard work
-
2. Create small goals | Set milestones
-
3. Read daily | Allow yourself a mental break
-
4. Prioritize | Stop caring about the things that don’t matter
-
5. Set a quitting time | Set boundaries
-
6. Just do it | Focus
-
7. Celebrate a win
Motivating yourself to work hard is best achieved when you don’t view it as ‘hard work.’ Think about your work as making it a part of who you want to be. If the project you’re faced with isn’t viewed as drudgery, but rather as a piece of the puzzle that’s helping you along your career path, then perhaps the energy required to do it will be easier to come by.
Completing a large project is daunting when you don’t know where to begin. How can you finish if you don’t even know where you’re starting? So, rather than focusing on a large, scary goal, take one thing at a time. Break the big goal into ideas you can digest, one at a time. This way you’ll feel like you’re making progress in your journey. And you’ll also feel a sense of accomplishment when you complete the smaller goals. A feeling of progress and achievement is a beautiful combination.
Although it may sound counter-productive to set aside reading time when what you’re really looking for is motivation to work hard, sometimes it’s necessary to do something seemingly unrelated to the task at hand. Developing a daily reading habit is one thing that’s likely to have a long-lasting impact on your thought processes, ultimately inspiring you in all areas of your life. You will find added creativity, a more thoughtful mind, opportunities to learn, and a chance to relax.
Time and attention are some of our most precious resources. Doing things that don’t mean anything costs us a ton of mental energy. Look at your growing pile on your to-do list, find things that you know that you don’t care about, and get rid of as many of these activities as possible. You will stay more consistently motivated if you’re working on activities that are inherently meaningful or are part of a larger mission.
Raise your hand if you’re motivated 24/7! I didn’t think I’d see any hands.
It’s unrealistic to feel energized all the time, to want to plow through tasks all the time. You need to give yourself a rest, and if that means giving yourself a specified set time to unplug or turn away from the demands of your job, then do it. It’s likely to help you perform harder and smarter in the hours that you do allot for work.
You must not think about anything else, suppressing all other thoughts, keeping your mind blank, acting like a robot. Yes, it sounds weird, but it does work! Otherwise, you will debate whether you should do it now or act on other more pleasurable and exciting things to do rather than this boring task. Dive into the project and trust that the focus will be what you need to reach the finish line.
Start acknowledging all the good that you are doing. If you’re constantly waiting for a long-term payoff, you forget how crucial all the little wins are. And it can be challenging to stay motivated and on top of things if there’s no reward in sight. Treat yourself with small things and don’t underestimate how gratifying it can feel to recognize tiny advancements.
These tips and tricks will help you stay motivated, getting the job done with a sense of passion and pride.
(written by: Whitney)
