5 Little Ways To Self-Motivate When You Feel You’ve Lost Your Drive
1. Make a list.
Whether is a new diet you’ve fallen away from, a blog you haven’t written on in months, a project you’re trying to complete, or you’re just trying to push your lazy butt to the gym—when you feel you’ve lost all motivation, one of the easiest and best things to do is to create a list.
Make a list of the food you need to pick up from the grocery store or the workouts you want to try at your next trip to the gym. Create a to-do list, step by step, of what you need to get done for your project before the weekend. Jot down a few notes, in order, of what you should finish by the end of the day. Sometimes having a plan, tangible and in front of you (plus the sweet satisfaction of crossing each item off!) makes all the difference.
2. Distract yourself.
Driving yourself crazy over what you haven’t finished doesn’t get you anywhere. If you feel in-over-your-head, prioritize, then take a small break. Focus on what needs to be done at this exact moment and do it first. The other stuff can wait.
When you’ve finished the absolutes, take a minute to stretch, walk around, eat a snack, listen to music, nap, etc. When you return, you’ll feel more refreshed and energized enough to take on the next task.
3. Get outside/get active.
There’s nothing like a change of environment to get you back on track. When you’re feeling unmotivated, take your to-do list outside, go for a walk, run, hike, or head to the gym. Sometimes simply getting your blood flowing or changing where you work can shift your perspective to something more positive.
4. Focus on the good.
When you’re feeling stuck or unmotivated, remind yourself of what you have accomplished or have mastered so far. Instead of thinking of all that you have to do or the distance you have left to go, look at how far you’ve come from where you started. By eliminating negative thoughts and looking at what’s going right, you can feel more motivated and encouraged to continue.
5. Read.
When you’re feeling blah, read something that lights a fire under you: inspiring quotes, words from great leaders, books from motivational speakers, etc. Sometimes when we get in a cycle of self-doubt, we forget our potential. When you read something that encourages you, you’ll let go of your fears, doubts, and frustrations and feel ready to step forward and go.