These Could Be the Reasons You Struggle with a Constant Lack of Motivation

In a week, how many times do you feel like your motivation is in a slump? Like, no matter how hard you try, you just can’t seem to get yourself to start or finish a task? If so, you’re not alone. Millions of people grapple with a chronic lack of motivation. Although it is normal to laze sometimes, frequent periods of laziness can disrupt our lives. Identifying the root cause (s) of your motivational struggles can help you regain control of your life and unlock your true potential. In this article, I explore seven likely reasons behind the persistent absence of motivation and offer insights into how you can overcome these challenges.

You See Motivation as a Finite Goal

Regarding motivation as the ultimate solution to all of our unproductivity problems is the first and most pervasive problem most people face. If we see motivation for what it is—a dynamic process—we can remedy much of our persistent lack of motivation. Just like it’s indispensable to eat, sleep, and drink water every day to stay healthy, we also need to strive regularly to ensure we get a boost of motivation.

You Won’t Start with Smaller Tasks First

You can trick your brain to get motivated by starting with smaller tasks first. When you have a packed to-do list, you may be tempted to begin with the biggest activity, but that’s often a terrible choice. The small taste of success you gain from completing a minor task can enhance your motivation for bigger and more challenging tasks.

You Think Motivation Comes from Outside Factors

If you think your motivation depends solely on external influences, you run the risks of experiencing despondency most of the time. When you agree that it’s your responsibility to get yourself motivated, you’re more likely to take actions when amotivation strikes. Such a change in mindset will help you boost your motivation exponentially.

You See a Lack of Motivation as a Curse

When we label a dearth of motivation as something negative that needs to be avoided at all costs, we will be dragged down further down the abyss we’re trying to avoid in the first place. We need to remind ourselves that those moments of slackness are a part of the human experience. As much as there would be no light without darkness, there would be no period of activity without downtime. When you have no motivation to complete a task, instead of beating yourself up, try to stay away from it for at least 30 minutes. A pause from your task can help you feel more motivated.

You Don’t Understand Your Energy Cycle

Our energy cycle, as the name suggests, is the rhythm with which our energy fluctuates during a period. Not only does our motivation changes with time and place, it also varies within and across individuals. So, the smart thing to do is to study your routine. Learn the time of the day, the days of the week, the location, and how long you are likely to be the most productive. It’s highly impractical to lay out all the different scenarios here, but deep self-reflections, trial-and-error, and constant journaling will help you understand your pattern. Thus, schedule your activities based on your natural tendencies will help raise your motivation.

You Won’t Take Care of Yourself

Inadequate life habits can also be the reason for an unstable motivation. Effective self-care involves:

• Exercise regularly

Exercise releases endorphin, which gives you an energy boost. Besides, regular exercises can improve your mental clarity for up to ten hours. A ten-minute exercise, three times a week, can help sustain metabolism and thereby, grants you the vitality you need to tackle your day.

• Get your mind ready by focusing on the beauty of life

Read something positive first thing in the morning. Avoid getting lost in emails, text messages, or social media immediately after waking up. Worries about work or the news will sap your energy even before you get out of the bed.

• Eat well

Eat lots of vegetables, dairy, a moderate amount of fish, grains, poultry, all the while consuming less fatty food, red meat, etc. Eating healthy has a host of benefits and boosting your motivation is one of them.

You May Be Hanging Out with the Wrong People

The people you hang out with have a significant influence over your motivation level. When you spend time with low-energy folks who procrastinate, complain, you pick up their negative habits. Psychologist Emma Seppälä, PhD, noted, “we are wired for empathy.” That’s another way to say birds of a feather flock together. I urge you to draft a list of at least five friends you want to include in your inner circle.

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Remember the adage: “You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink.” Well, this is exactly the same with motivation. An article can stir up your emotions, but they can’t make you take action unless you decide so. So, get up right now, and do what you have to do!