Some days you have all the energy in the world, other days, simply getting out of bed is an uphill battle. Welcome to the realm of motivation. I like to compare motivation with the waves of the ocean. Sometimes, they are up, other times they are down. While working towards your goals, some days you will feel despondent, lazy, and unmotivated. But you cannot let your motivation influence your productivity. You must devise strategies to get things done despite the cyclical nature of motivation. Here are some actions you can take to prevent a dearth of motivation from affecting your efficiency.
Decide What You’ll Do When Your Motivation is Down
Instead of succumbing to your lack of motivation, you must create an action plan for the days when you are unmotivated. Doing so requires some time to study your pattern. When are you at your worst? What time of the day, days of the week are you the most productive? Schedule simpler tasks during those days you are in a slump and high-cognitive activities when your motivation is at its peak. For example, my motivation level is lower in the morning. That’s when I read emails, clean my room, and interact with readers on my blog. You may simply just choose to do nothing if you can afford it. But whatever action you take, make sure it’s deliberate.
Avoid Spending Time with People Who Drains Your Energy
Studies show we pick up the habits of those we spend time with. If you’re serious about getting things done, create a list of at least five friends that you can count on for a motivation boost when you need it.
Take It Easy on Yourself
Industrious people are most likely to be negatively affected by a lack of motivation. We blame ourselves when we know we are slacking off instead of being hard at work. Many people see motivation as a finite goal that, once achieved, will solve all their productivity problems. That mindset causes them to go to great lengths to fight the slightest lack of motivation.
Motivation is not a goal, but a dynamic process that alternates between highs and lows. It is part of the human experience, such as eating, sleeping, and drinking. It needs continuous care in order to be properly maintained. Therefore, next time you think you are not as productive as usual, rather than blaming, complaining, and self-sabotaging, engage in an activity that will get you back on track.
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How do you stay productive when you are unmotivated? Share your answer in the comments section below.