If I had a penny for every time I’ve struggled with a lack of motivation, I’d be swimming in gold and living on an island.
But nobody pays you to be uninspired (go figures.) We all go through phases of demotivation that can last for days, and sometimes even months.
It’s not a pretty sight, and nobody wants to be stuck in a rut, but it happens to the best of us. Even those successful people you follow online have their rough days.
Okay, so lack of demotivation is common. Fine. Does that mean we just suck it up and wait for it to pass?
Mm, sure, you could do that, but sometimes that might not be enough to get the boat sailing.
Case in point, an hour before sitting down to write this post, I was lying idle in bed staring at the ceiling, not in the least bit interested in picking up my laptop and going ‘tap, tap tap.‘
Yet here I am, showing up to perform my duties (which are not utterly selfless as this blog does pay my bills).
No, I didn’t pull out a wand and do an abracadabra over my head.
I just have a couple of go-to tips that work 80% of the time to overcome my lack of motivation, and thankfully, they were able to help me this time as well.
In this post, I’ll share with you 8 top strategies for refilling your motivation cup without it seeming like a drag.
Whether you’re looking to get your body to the gym, tick off all the items on your to-do list, or sit down to finish a pending report for work, this post will serve as your motivation guide and hopefully get you moving in the right direction.
Read on, amigos! We got work to do.
8 Ways To Overcome Lack Of Motivation
1. Pause And Reflect
Do not roll your eyes just yet. The greatest challenges in life are often overcome by stopping and squinting your eyes to spot the hurdles along the way.
Ask yourself why you’re feeling demotivated. You might think the answer is ‘I just am!’, but there’ll always be something that’s causing you to be stuck.
I usually am troubled by something that someone did but don’t want to acknowledge it. Well, being troubled just makes you human, but admitting that you’re troubled makes you brave.
So, whatever’s got your stomach in knots, whether it’s boredom, an argument, or because it’s one of those days when you hate your work (we’ve all been there), write it down.
Acknowledgement is always the first step to overcoming obstacles.
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2. Indulge In Self-Care
I was in a bad mood this afternoon because I was in a rough patch with a friend, and so I couldn’t get myself to focus.
So, I stopped forcing myself to churn out an article and instead picked up a self-help book since talking to my friend wasn’t an option.
Ten minutes of reading worked like charm for my mood. I was still a little sour, but in a much better space of mind.
What’s the self-care activity that lifts you up? Spare some time to do that, without thinking about your pending tasks or goals.
Take a shower, grab a cup of coffee, do some meditation, or just paint your nails while listening to a feel-good playlist.
You’ll be surprised by the rewards that can come out of pouring into your well-being and slowing down.
3. Tone Down The Work
If you’re low on water, you won’t run on your way to the top, right? It’s better to walk and set a nice rhythm for your body.
If your motivation is scarce, you shouldn’t pick up the same amount of work that you might otherwise. That’d just overwhelm you and lead to burnout even before getting started.
Say, you’re looking to get in shape and have even gotten yourself a shiny gym card. Good for you!
But for the time being, maybe just go out for a walk or do a light cardio at home?
Yoga never fails to get me in touch with my healthy spirit and might do the same for you.
In short, tone down your work, and get started. You can increase your load once you’re feeling fine and enjoying the process.
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4. Remind Yourself Why You Need To Do It
When you’re demotivated, it can be hard to remember why you even wanted to chase a goal in the first place.
Tap into your hidden inspiration by reminding yourself of your why’s.
If you want to learn cooking, list the benefits of mastering this skill.
It’d be cost-effective, give you more control over your health, and you’ll have a new way to express your love for your people (the way to the heart is through the stomach, peeps.)
This is a simple, quick, and effective way to deal with a lack of motivation and light up your inspiration spark.
5. Romanticize The Process
People usually talk about romanticizing their bedtime, their morning routines, or their downtime.
But your goals are probably the area of your life that needs to be romanticized the most.
I mean, why can’t your workspace be happy and cute? And why shouldn’t you work out in your best clothes to feel like the queen that you are?
As I’m writing this post, I’m not sitting at my desk in my room. I’m in the living room on my couch, surrounded by fairy lights since it’s the season of joy (yay!).
In the past, I’d be skeptical about working in a place where I usually chill and laugh, but sometimes that’s what you need to do to find your happy place.
We sometimes hold onto our boundaries so tight that we forget that it’s okay to romanticize the challenging parts of our routine. Your tired self needs and deserves it.
Read this: 30 Classy Yet Affordable Ways To Romanticize Your Life
6. Visualize Your Success
I’d love to be one of those people who say ‘I love the journey more than the destination’.
But when it comes to chasing my goals, I live for the moment of reaching the finish line. It’s highly satisfying and worth every drop of sweat shed along the way.
Take a deep breath, close your eyes, and visualize your success.
Think how sweet it’ll taste – the moment you’ll put your pen down or roll your exercise mat after a sweaty round of workout.
You’ve lived these moments before, and you can again, just by getting started and taking baby steps.
7. Try A Different Approach
Sometimes, the process you map out for your goal might not be compatible for your personality. We are living in an age of influencers and people keen on seeking self-improvement.
It’s natural to pick up things from social media and the people around you who’ve already done what you’re trying to achieve.
But every person is unique, and what worked for someone else might not necessarily work for you.
For example, two years back, I wanted to be fitter, and I found 2-3 influencers who motivated me to embrace that girl version routine.
It took me time to realize that some of those habit simply weren’t working for me, and I wanted to find an unstrict health routine for myself.
Whether you’re trying to build an early morning routine or launch a new business, try to find your own way around things.
Get inspired, but don’t get influenced, especially if certain values are not in alignment with your being.
To quote one of my favorite authors Shiv Khera, “Winners don’t do different things. They do things differently.”
8. Get A Friend Onboard
Got a pal who’s struggling to find motivation for something?
Their goal might not be the same as yours, but sharing your plans with each other might benefit both of you.
My friend and I took Chloe Ting’s Summer Shred Challenge together this year and had an absolute blast. Both of us got into the fitness game back by holding each other accountable.
You could also just call your bestie and say, “Hey! So, I need to make this dress for my kid but I’ve been feeling like a sloth. Kid doesn’t care about that, so I’m getting started now. If I stop, you’re responsible and action will be taken against you.”
And if you’re having one of those days when you’re just not a fan of interacting (again, relatable), just write down your plans in a journal. Works well for me!
Let’s Get You Back In The Game
Okay, it’s unbelievable even to me, but I just finished this post in one sitting, and that was when I had zero motivation this afternoon.
Not trying to gloat, but that just goes to show that motivation can be tapped into.
You might think there is no cure for lack of motivation, but believing that would mean undermining your own capabilities.
As I’ve made clear by now, I deal with my fair share of demotivation, and these 8 tips always help. I usually only have to do 2-3 of these before inspiration starts trickling in.
What worked for me today was taking the time to do indulge in self-care and sharing my plans with my brother to hold myself accountable.
I hope this post is able to help you in overcoming any challenges stopping you from getting things done.
If there’s any way I can help, drop a comment down below. Suggestions and thoughts are always welcome!
Read next: 15 Hobbies That Make Money And Are Excellent For A Side Income
I have a hard time getting motivated to do laundry. First thing in the morning.
That can definitely be a hard one. I’d suggest do something relaxing first. Like drink some tea, read a page of a self-help book, meditate, water your plants, and then move on to the chore that you don’t enjoy that much. Also, romanticizing the process never hurts. It’ll take just 5 minutes to put on a lip balm, brush your hair, and wear something comfortable, but little things like this will help you feel great while doing something as mundane as the laundry. Hope this helps!