Just about everyone has found themselves in a rut where they just can seem to scrounge up an oz of motivation, no matter how hard they try. There are many reasons for this; lack of direction, being overwhelmed, or just plain old burnout.
However, no matter what the reason, it’s important to push through the lack of motivation and keep working towards your goals. And if you can get your motivation back, even better!
In this article, I’m going to go over some of my favorite ways to stay motivated when it seems like you can’t get a sliver of motivation. I’ve curated these tips over my career through experience, advice, and research. So, let’s go ahead and get down to it.
Stay Organized
One of the best things you can do for yourself and your career is to create an organized workspace separate from the rest of your life. This will not only help you functionally but mentally as well.
Having a clean and dedicated workspace does wonders for motivation when trying to work. If you do not have a free desk or room to dedicate specifically to work, you can create a new profile on your computer for work instead.
This isn’t as good as a dedicated workroom, but it still has the mental effect and tells your brain, “It’s time to work.”
Write your Goals Down
Another thing I love to do is to write my goals down. This way, I can visualize exactly what I’m working towards.
I write down my long-term goals, my short-term goals, and the medium goals that branch them. It’s extremely important to write them down and not just keep them in the back of your mind.
By writing them down, you can look at them and see specifically what you want and how to get there. Otherwise, you could subconsciously change these things or forget about certain aspects over time.
Work During Your Peak Hours
Everybody is different, and research has shown that humans actually have times when they’re much more productive. If you make your own schedule, then listen to your body and work when your body is ready to work.
Some people work better in the morning; others work better at night. It’s important to keep in mind that sometimes your body may not feel productive at all; that’s when you need to push through and work anyways. But these feelings of demotivation will be amplified if you never work during your body’s productivity time.
Keep a Schedule
Every Sunday, I create a weekly schedule. I write down every day, from Monday to Sunday, in a document, and below those days, I write down everything I need to accomplish that day.
I do this because it eliminates the need to think about what I should do every day. Instead, I just look at my schedule and do what I need. Sometimes I may need to add in plans or change up the schedule on Wednesday, and that’s fine.
Find a Mentor and a Rival
Other people are extremely motivational; that’s just human nature. Find a person or group who are entrepreneurs and form a motivational circle around you. While reading books or listening to business podcasts might help with your motivation, being in a good circle can inspire you and create a sense of healthy competition.
You should also find someone that has accomplished some of the goals you’ve set for yourself and talk with this person. Ask them for criticism and advice, especially when you want to start your dream business. Most importantly, don’t forget to thank them for their time!
Ryan Dean Hoggan 