Even the most enthusiastic and motivated people sometimes have days when they just can't get into the groove. You wake up feeling disconnected from work, sluggish, frustrated, or down, making it tough to be productive. You might go through the motions but don't perform at your best or enjoy what you're doing. Here are seven simple tricks to boost your motivation:
Visualize Your Long-term Goals:
Think about your big, long-term goals and imagine how your current tasks contribute to them. This can supercharge your focus and motivation. For instance, Jeff Bezos used this approach to turn Amazon into a tech giant by emphasizing long-term thinking.
Start Your Task:
The hardest part is often getting started. Commit to beginning your task, even if it seems challenging. You can tell yourself that you'll give it a try for just five minutes. Once you start, you might find it easier to keep going. As former Yahoo! CEO Marissa Mayer says, doing something you're not entirely ready for can lead to breakthroughs.
Set a Timer:
To make work less daunting, set a timer for a specific work period, and schedule breaks. The ideal work-break split is roughly 52 minutes of work followed by 17 minutes of rest. Adjust it to suit your needs; some people prefer breaks every 90 minutes, like Tony Schwartz, president of the Energy Project.
Share Your Goals:
Tell someone close to you what you plan to achieve. Knowing that you'll have to report back to them can motivate you to follow through. You can even share your goals with a larger group for added pressure, as seen in an online weight-loss community's success.
Change Your Self-talk:
Pay attention to your inner dialogue. Positive self-talk can boost motivation, self-esteem, and mood, while negative self-talk can have the opposite effect. Try rephrasing negative thoughts into positive ones to change your perspective.
Keep a Task List:
Create a list of tasks, no matter how small. When you complete a task, check it off. This not only keeps you organized but also provides a sense of accomplishment and motivation as you see your progress.
Establish Consequences:
Sometimes, fear of loss can be a powerful motivator. Consider setting consequences for not completing your tasks. This can encourage you to get things done.
If you frequently struggle with motivation, it may be a sign of a larger issue in your work life, like excessive stress or burnout. In such cases, short-term tricks may not be enough, and you might need to make more significant changes to your environment and lifestyle.
0 Comments