Ways to start feeling motivated!

Ever get stuck in that rut where you just can't find the energy to do something that you've been wanting to do? Gosh, do I know how that feels! But with some research, and some of my own tips, I've put together a couple of ideas for finding that motivation in you!

1. Schedule your motivation! If you're waiting for motivation or inspiration to strike you before getting started on that story, on that workout, or on those math problems, then it's going to be harder for you to get into the habit of doing those things! So schedule some time for working on what you need to, and get started Once you've started doing something, it's easier to make it into a behavior, which means it will be easier to maintain. So pull out those calendars and highlighters, and get started!

2. Make some rituals! The more times you do something in a row, the more familiar it will become. If you write in the same place every time, then eventually, every time you reach that place, you'll want to sit down and write! Take a walk every morning, or listen to a certain song while you're doing the dishes to help you stay motivated.

3. Remember that the most important part is starting. If you do a task that's so simple you can't refuse to begin, it's easier to build up to what you need to do. For example, start your homework by getting a glass of water, or start your exercise by putting on your shoes. Those simple tasks will help you get prepped for what you're trying to get done, and just by starting, you've already gotten halfway there!

4. Don't forget your end goal. It can be easy to become distracted by other things, or even by thinking about how you'll start and where, that sometimes you can forget what it was you meant to do! I found a quote in an article that I read that summed it up pretty nicely: If you waste resources trying to decide when or where to work, youll impede your capacity to do the work. So don't worry too much about other things, and focus on your task. Get to that end goal, you can do it!

5. Use the Goldilocks Rule! If the task you're trying to do is too easy or too hard, you'll quickly become bored and distracted. Instead, try to move tasks into a range of being manageable while still being challenging, so that you can put a lot of effort in without feeling like it's too easy! If you feel capable, you will be able to not become overwhelmed while still putting in the effort your tasks deserve.

6. Try to measure your progress. When you have a checklist, or something that allows you to get immediate feedback, the tasks you have to do feel more manageable and less overwhelming. The more progress you do and the more things you get checked off, the better and more confident you'll feel. If you can hit that peak flow of motivation, then there's nothing to stop you from doing everything that you need! Even making a dent in whatever you have to do is a great start, and can help you to see that your work has an impact.

7. Use suggestions instead of orders. If you aren't ordering yourself to do something, there will be less resistance. Plus, if you give yourself a few minutes, you may find that the suggestion of quitting has an opposite that wants to push to do as much work as possible! Being forced into doing something makes you less willing, and it will be harder to motivate yourself to do the task, so giving yourself room to breathe is super important.

8. Keep your thoughts positive!! Even just remembering that discomfort is temporary, and that you won't regret good work once it's done is encouraging! Knowing that you can do it, that other people believe in you, and that it will be worth it can help you to push to get things done. You can do this!!