I love a lazy day. Having no plans, spending my time doing whatever I feel like doing. No to-do lists or places to be. Unfortunately, days without to-do lists are hard to come by.
So how do you get motivated when your head says there are things to do, but the rest of you is feeling laaaaazzzzzyyy?
In college, I can remember trying to fight my natural inclination to procrastinate by taking my books to the library so the distractions of my dorm would be far away. That plan had a flaw though. If I was not feeling very motivated, changing venues did not magically turn things around. I got very good at people-watching from my table and doing very little studying in my “study groups.”
As a mom working from home, putting aside the things that seem urgent for the ones that are important is tough, especially if the important things are not easy. Sometimes, the important stuff gets sidelined, not by something that is urgent or necessary, but by something that is just for fun. I cannot tell you how many times I have lost much-needed sleep because I wanted to read just one more chapter. And then another. And another.
Motivation is a tricky thing. It is hard to harness, and once you do, it does not last forever. Zig Ziglar once said, “Of course motivation is not permanent. But then, neither is bathing; but it is something you should do on a regular basis.” Which explains why I can be a productivity ninja one day and completely unmotivated the next. Discovering what motivates you and puts you in the headspace to get things done can be the difference between managing your life and letting things fall between the cracks.
Here are some things that I have found to beat back the lazy and usher in some necessary motivation:
- Visualize the end result
Whether it is getting to the gym or picking up the mop, when you need some motivation to get up and go, visualize what you are working towards. Maybe you are training for a race and can picture the finish line. Or maybe you are craving a clean and uncluttered space, so thinking about that will get you scrubbing. Or, if like me, you get stressed out by deadlines, imagining the relief of having them met and done with could be all you need.
- A body in motion…
…stays in motion. The longer you sit staring at that basket of laundry, the less likely it will be to get folded. It can be hard to get started, but without that push, nothing gets done. So start small. Fold one shirt. More than likely, you will do a second. Do not think about cleaning the whole house. Clear the table or load the dishwasher. It will get you started thinking about what to do next and it will be easier to keep moving once you are already in motion.
- Put away the distractions
I love reading, both fiction and nonfiction. When I am reading nonfiction, I notice that I spend time applying what I learn to my own life. But when I am reading fiction, I escape into the world the author has built and have trouble coming back to my own. TV does that, too. If you have the same tendency to get lost in some fun escapism, consider putting it aside, at least until you finish the important things that need to be done for the day. That includes games, social media, or your phone, whatever is occupying your mind and your time when it would be better spent elsewhere.
- Get your blood flowing
Sometimes, my lack of motivation has more to do with fatigue than with what I have to do. Getting up and moving around can help shake the cobwebs away and get my energy up. Take a walk around the block, do a few yoga poses, or some jumping jacks. Exercise helps sharpen the mind and get you motivated.
- Grab a snack
Do you remember that Snickers commercial? The one about hunger turning everyone into a diva? In my case, I turn into a lazy diva. I am both cranky and unproductive when I need to eat. So if you are having trouble getting motivated, do a quick check. Are you hungry? Grab a snack to take the edge off and get back to work. Feeling satisfied will make it easier for you to get some things done.
- Caffeinate
I am, admittedly, trying to cut down on my caffeine intake. It was getting a little bit over-the-top and I was no longer enjoying any energy benefits from my cup of coffee. But if you do not have a serious habit to contend with, having a little caffeine before getting to work might be helpful with getting a boost. I’m usually much more motivated when I have a chance to have some coffee or tea at the start of my day.
- Do the tough stuff first
Whether you are avoiding something because it is going to be difficult or just because you do not like it, stressing over it is a waste of time and a motivation killer. Take care of whatever it is that you want to avoid so that it is not hanging over your head the entire day and you can focus on the rest of your to-do list. Plus, knowing that you took care of the worst thing you needed to do makes everything else seem pretty simple.
- Reward yourself
Use this one with caution. For a lot of people, having a reward to look forward to gives them the incentive they need to take care of the necessary tasks. However, for others like myself, thinking about a reward distracts me from what I need to do and, more often than not, I can’t wait and I take my reward before I do the work. When I had readings to do for my classes in college, I used to tell myself that I could read a chapter of the book I was in the middle of after I finished one school reading. But I would spend too much time thinking about my fun reading and, before I knew it, I was reading that chapter first. So only use rewards if you are someone who has both patience and self-control (I’m still a work in progress).
Lazy days are still the best. But if you need to be productive, try these methods for getting motivated. Even though it does not last forever, once you have figured out what works best for you, you will be able to use those methods that are most effective. And the more you can get done on your busy days, the more time that will be freed up for lazy days. Can’t argue with that!
What are some techniques that you use to get motivated when you are feeling anything but? I can always use a few more, so please share in the comments!
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