We are all guilty of procrastination sometimes. If you can’t seem to find yourself motivated because of several reasons, take a deep breath and try to motivate yourself with these simple yet effective tips:
1. Wake up at the same time everyday
…and fall sleep at the same time every night when you naturally become tired. This stabilises your circadian rhythm, a fancy term to describe your body clock. A steady circadian rhythm helps you sleep more soundly at night, and feel more awake during the day. It allows you to plan your day accurately and overall become a more productive human being. It requires self-discipline to make the adjustment, but once you do, look forward to springing out of bed every morning feeling rested, alert, and all ready to take on the world. Or at least, the day’s activities.
2. Use music to motivate you
Listening to upbeat music may help to get you into a more positive mindset. Your favourite tracks can pump you up and give you a good start to the day.
3. Identify long-term goals and display them visibly
Write down your goals, stick ’em up big and bold. Be sure to put them up in visible places. For example, write your goals on pieces of post-it, and stick your post-its on the laptop you use every day, behind the bedroom door, and beside the bathroom shower mirror. Be reminded of how important your goals are to you every day and how you need to invest effort into achieving these goals!
4. Schedule things down
Instead of trying to mentally recall your tasks for the day, make an actual list. On a diary/scheduler, write down your deadlines and what you want to be doing every day to meet those deadlines. By creating these little appointments for yourself, you will be more likely to commit to them and get them done. Also, by making progress every single day, you are slowly but surely working towards achieving your end goal(s) as stated in #3.
As you tick off the things you managed to complete for the day, give yourself a pat on the back. Feel proud for productively working towards self-fulfilment!
5. Tidy up
Keep a tidy living and workspace. When you live and work in a clustered environment, you will be less inclined to get working. Why not put on your favourite playlist and for five minutes each day, tidy up while listening to your favourite songs?
6. Batch your less important to-dos and get them done ASAP
Write down all the tasks that each will take less than 10 minutes to complete. This includes tasks as simple as sharpening your pencils, or filing your worksheets away. Be sure to get them all done and out of the way. You will feel a sense of reward, no matter how insignificant these tasks were, and be further motivated to complete lengthier and more important tasks of the day. Getting yourself into this habit early on is going to help you not procrastinate on your work in the long run, and get into a focused mind for more important tasks for the day.
7. Reward yourself
Especially handy if trying to get motivated to work on a large assignment. Tell yourself that you will only allow yourself that last pint of Ben & Jerry’s in the freezer if you manage to complete your tasks for the day. Motivation, boom.
8. Get a partner
Whether you are trying to eat healthier, starting to work out regularly, or attempting to finish studying for an exam, do it with a friend. This only applies if you get friends who are disciplined and motivated. You hold each other accountable, and give encouragement whenever necessary. Having another person in the same situation as you can make the overall process a less difficult or painful one, and you become less likely to quit!
9. Use positive self-talk
“I can’t do this, it’s too hard. I’m never going to get it.” Does this sound familiar?
It’s easy to slide into a rut, allowing yourself to feel so defeated that you no longer want to keep persevering. But the more that you tell yourself that you can succeed, the more motivated you will feel, and the higher the chances are of making progress and ultimately getting things done. “Confidence is key,” you may have heard. This is very true.
10. Just do it
You can keep making excuses, or you can just get going. The sooner you start, the sooner you complete the task, and finally be able to take pride in a job well done.
