9 Ways to Boost Motivation When You're Feeling Low
We all fall into slumps of low motivation every once in a while. It’s totally natural. After all, motivation is a short-term strategy, not a long term one. Over on Instagram, you’ll often find me mentioning how sustained motivation is not necessary for success or productivity, and I fully stand by that.
However…
There are certainly times in which we feel like we could use a little boost. Being self-aware enough to know how to provide those boosts when needed can be a really helpful tool to have, so today I wanted to share 9 ways you can boost your motivation when you’re feeling a little under the weather or need to get through a particularly busy week.
Let’s get into it!
Side note: this is a blog post version of a FREE video training I did in my Facebook group, Productive Lifestyle Design. Click here to join the group + watch the video, and get weekly tips and voting on future content!
1. First thing’s first - check in with your body.
If you’ve been reading other posts on this blog, then you know it’s not the first time I’ve preached the importance of checking in with your body when it comes to productivity. Simple things like making sure you’re drinking enough water, or eating food that’s actually nutritious (not just filling you up), and evaluating your level of comfort with things like the clothes your wearing or the temperature of your space are an easy place to start, and a quick way to boost motivation.
2. Get that blood pumping!
This means move your body! Whether its a full workout, a yoga practice, light stretching, or going for a walk, getting the blood pumping in your body will help increase your energy. When you lack motivation, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut of inaction, and getting active is a great way to break that cycle, and restart the momentum. Ideally, you want to make sure you’re doing at least something small that moves your body every day, which helps prevent you from falling into that rut to begin with, but keeping it mind when you’re struggling with motivation is a great start as well.
3. Enjoy the great outdoors.
Fun fact: spending time in nature has been scientifically shown to improve focus and concentration! The outdoors (and I mean a forest or park, not a bustling city sidewalk) provides the perfect level of stimulation, while still feeling safe and calm enough to not require too much of your attention, thus letting your mind rest. Part of the experience of motivation is concentrating on something, so doing something to set this one piece of the puzzle into place will get you a step closer to experiencing motivation as a whole. Plus, it’s easy to incorporate with a few other tips on this list (like #2 above) for double the impact!
4. Get nerdy 🤓
Take a class. Attend a workshop. Watch an online webinar. Read a non-fiction book. Whatever your method of choice, learning something new has potential to not only spark new and creative ideas, but can also get you excited to take action on what you just learned. And as I mentioned before, action-taking breaks the rut. It doesn’t even really matter if it’s on a topic that’s related to your work. Sparking up that energy in your mind and body is the first step, and you can then redirect that energy to whatever it is you need your motivation for.
5. Switch up your working environment
Do you usually work at home, or a coffee shop? Do you usually listen to music, or work in silence? Whatever your usual is, try switching it up and doing something different for a change of pace and scenery. Breaking up your routine will alert your mind that something different is going on, and something new and different requires it’s attention! Who knows, you might even find a new favourite way to do your work.
6. Connect with the like-minded
As a strong introvert, I tend to forget the importance (and power!) of connecting with others. Especially when you’re on the journey of starting your own business or growing your side-hustle, it’s incredibly helpful to stay connected to others who are also doing similar things, and experiencing similar troubles. I’m always amazed at what a boost in energy and motivation I get from going to local events, participating in online groups, and talking to like-minded, ambitious women.
If you’re looking for a place to connect with other women who are working to design a productive lifestyle, then come on over and join us in the Productive Lifestyle Design Facebook group! We'd love to have you there :)
7. Say thanks
Also known as practicing gratitude. I’m willing to bet that if you’re here reading this, you’ve already got a lot to be grateful for - and I don’t just mean the basics of a roof over your head, food in your fridge, etc. Get creative and take some time to reflect on all the amazing things and people in your life. You can keep a gratitude journal, or incorporate giving gratitude at the start or end of your day, but my favourite way is to notice “gratitude moments” throughout my day. When something great happens, even if it’s as small as enjoying a yummy warm beverage (I’m a tea girl, but coffee works too!), I like to just take a moment to pause and really feel the happiness in my heart and smile about it. Sounds simple, because it is, but since I’ve started incorporating more “gratitude moments” into my day, I’ve found myself to not only feel a lot better, but also keep the good vibes going (which translates into, you guessed it, more motivation!).
8. Remember your “why”
Oooh yes, this is a big one, but requires a little more deep thought than most things on this list. Knowing why the heck you need to do this thing you’re trying to motivate yourself to do is crucial for several reasons. First of all, we frequently need motivation to do things that aren’t really aligned to our personal goals and values to begin with, so check in and see if this thing is even important to you! But understandably, sometimes we make commitments that we need to stick to, so in that case it’s important to ask why this commitment or task is important. What does completing it give you? Keep that “why” front of mind, and focus on the results. This will help motivate you to complete it.
9. Find and use your triggers
We know that our mind can influence our body - we think about doing something , then we do it. But we often forget that our body can also influence our mind, and this goes beyond what I talked about in #1 on this list. What I’m talking about here is knowing the physiological cues that your body does when you’re naturally feeling a certain way.
So, think about what your body naturally does when you’re feeling super motivated. Are you walking faster, with more energy in your step? Are you sitting or standing taller instead of hunching over? Do your eyes open wider? Do you talk in a faster, louder voice? Some of these are common, but you will also find that there are small things your body does that are unique to you. Take note of these, and use them (aka, actually physically do them!) as a trigger to help you boost your motivation and amp yourself back up!
With these 9 tips for boosting motivation under your belt, you’ll be well on your way to kicking butt and checking things off like it’s nothing. But remember - its 100% okay not to feel “motivated” allllll the time. Take breaks. Relax. Let yourself still work through the days when you’re not fully inspired or motivated. Your productivity depends on consistency.
Want to watch the video version of this blog post, along with other mini-trainings that I do on a monthly basis? Join us in the Productive Lifestyle Design Facebook group!
Until next time,
