This week has been busier than usual as last-minute changes have manipulated already organized and packed schedules. I find that staying happy is easier when I’ve got plenty of things going on as it gives me a sense of purpose. With life a bit on the go lately with lots of travel, late days at the office, and early mornings at the gym, it seems easy to lose motivation. Between work and blog obligations, it can feel like I’m always working. So I thought I’d share how I stay motivated.
Get Pumped Up
Ever see anyone just dance it out to help relieve stress? Music helps release endorphins that can boost your mood and that can result in added inspiration and motivation. When I was in graduate school, I would always walk to my 3-hour lectures listening to upbeat music that got me in the right mindset. If I’m finding myself feeling sluggish sitting at a desk for multiple hours, then I’ll put on a good song and go for a short walk. Music is a great way to get pumped up and stayed motivated! My Spotify playlist is regularly updated with what I’m listening to.
Set Mini Deadlines
Do you work better under pressure? I do! I’ll take big tasks that seem overwhelming and break it down a bunch of smaller tasks with unique deadlines. Setting mini-deadlines and helped me stay motivated because it helps me visualize the end goal and encourages me to keep going.
Understand Your Work Patterns
I used to be a night owl when I worked in DC and did some of my best work after dinner until late at night. When I started graduate school, I found that my work ethic is strong and consistent in the early hours of the morning. You would be surprised how much your productivity fluctuates. With changes in your productivity, try to embrace the nuances and move towards understanding your work patterns. Maximize the work when you’re most productive and that will surely help you stay motivated.
The Power of Mundane Tasks
Ever work hard all day and feel like you’ve accomplished nothing? This is particularly true when doing big or convoluted projects. I like to incorporate smaller, easy tasks throughout the day to help me feel like I’ve achieved something. This way I don’t lose hope, feel bad, and stay motivated. Another note I want to make about mundane tasks is that if it’s something you can do while multi-tasking, then do your mundane tasks while doing something for yourself! I always do mundane tasks while listening to audiobooks on Scribd! You can use this Scribd link to get 2-free months!
Write Down Your Wins
I’ve been doing this since undergrad and it continues to be something I encourage my friends to do. I love ending the day with a journal and writing three wins for each day. These wins can be big, small, part of your work, or even a personal victory. Write down a minimum three things and reflect on how important those wins are to your end goals!
Change Of Scenery
I used to sit in the library or at a desk for hours and slave away at the computer working on assignments and dissertations. Zero breaks with endless cups of coffee sound like torture? I found that changing up my scenery truly helps me stay motivated. I now have a working treadmill with a desk where I write emails from, my blog work will be done at the dining table, I’ll catch up on phone calls while making coffee in the kitchen, I will work out of the office for the first part of my day, and then end the day at a cafe or study room. Changing scenery helps with changing up your perspective, routine, and can help build creativity.
Bring the Cafe To You
Do you work better in a cafe, but can’t really do that with the work you have on? Bring the cafe to you with Coffitivity, which recreates the ambient sounds of cafes. I like to fix myself a tea or coffee and get working with headphones on and volume up. White noise can make all the difference to help you stay motivated.
Stay Organized
I’m sure this is on everyone’s list. As you know blogging full-time is something I do with working in a completely different field full-time. I’ve also blogged full-time during graduate school. The easiest way to ensure you’re getting the right amount of hours in is staying organized and keeping an updated schedule. I like to use my calendar block template to keep me accountable and my tasks organized.
Avoid Routine
This is by far the most important and most neglected piece of advice. As mentioned above that I was one who visited the library, the same desk, the same chair daily, and didn’t produce the work I was hoping for. Avoid routine by changing your schedule this goes for in daily activities like at the gym, working in different locations, and remember to always take some time off. I’m always curious to know, what are your best and well-kept tips on staying motivated?
Avoid Distracting Apps and Websites
Social media apps, conspiracy theory videos, and chats with friends easily have me distracted. Right before I start a heavy work session, I text my mom, dad, and a close friend that I regularly interact with (you could consider your partner here too) and let them know I’ll be working or in the library and then turn my phone on airplane mode and laptop on silent. There are plenty of websites and widgets available to help you avoid distracting websites and apps to help you stay motivated too.
Keep Your Eye on the Prize
Yes, we’ve reached the end of the list and it’s an obvious one. I always try to visualize what accomplishing the goal could mean for me and that always inspired me to buckle down, stay motivated, and finish up the task. It’s easy to lose faith when thinking about the journey, but if you can take a moment to acknowledge what is to come, that can be powerful.
Leave a comment telling me how you stay motivated!
