15 Super Simple Ways To Feel More Motivated

Are you just feeling a complete lack of motivation at the moment? Me too! Even the most motivated of us can still feel unmotivated at times. Overcoming that hurdle when you just aren't feeling it, isn't always easy. Fear not, I've come up with 15 super simple ways to feel more motivated and just get stuff done!

"Push yourself, because no one else is going to do it for you". – Unknown

If you're anything like me and you're perhaps struggling to summon the motivation needed to get things done lately. I've spent the last is it, 12 weeks now? I'm losing track of the days, let alone weeks of not doing an awful lot.

Don't get me wrong, it is good to rest, be kind to yourself and have lazy days. I even did a post about how not to feel guilty for having a lazy day. Especially during these times, we need to look after ourselves and indulge in things that make us feel good.

Yet, there comes a time when we need to get motivated and get stuff done. I run a pub, and the possibility of being reopened soon definitely requires me to summon my motivation. I know when the time comes, I will go into complete meltdown. In anticipating this, I just need to get motivated to get ready for opening up.

So, who needs Tony Robbins when you can motivate yourself?!

Here I have 15 super simple ways to feel more motivated. Are you ready? 

1. Firstly figure out why you don't feel motivated

Is it because the task is tedious, or is it you personally just feeling a little sluggish or tired? That way, you can work on how to fix the barrier to your motivation.

Is it perhaps because you're not sleeping very well at the moment? I've written a post all about ways you can sort out your sleep struggles. 

I can't lie, procrastination is one of the biggest reasons why I struggle to motivate myself. I can be bone idle at times, that's why I spend so long creating routines and lists to hold myself accountable.

For those of you who never procrastinate, that is amazing. What is your secret?! But for the rest of us, finding motivational boosters is the key to getting things done.

2. Write down your goals and why you are working towards them

A super simple way to instantly feel more motivated is to remind yourself of the why. Have a quick look through your goals.

Keep them in front of you, and that way, you'll be reminded throughout the day, and it becomes easier to stay on track and stay focused.

Maybe use morning affirmations to remind yourself of why you are going to a task and how it will help you achieve your goal.

3. Change up your work environment

Do you feel a lack of motivation because of your surroundings?

Admittedly I love working in bed. It's a bad habit I need to change.

If you can, experiment with different working environments.

Personally, I work so much better in the garden with the sun shining. It just feels feel motivating for some reason. I can get more done in an hour in the garden compared to a day indoors if I'm struggling to motivate myself.

4. Start with something small to create a flow

Just clean your desk or pay your bills. Put your trainers on and go for a walk. Whatever it is, you need to get motivated to start. You just need to take a small step to get started.

This morning I managed to clear out most of the inbox. I've been putting it off for months, but by starting by paying that one bill, I was able to get into the flow.

5. Do the most onerous task first

Once you've got a flow going, get straight on with tackling your most onerous task first.

By starting with the most onerous task, it will ease a lot of your anxiety around that task and boost your motivation for the rest of the day.

6. Break down a larger task

Perhaps one of the reasons you don't want to tackle the task is because overwhelmingly too large as one task in itself.

Would it be more manageable if you broke the task down into smaller tasks?

I know this is something I struggle with. My 'to-dos' are often blanket tasks, for example, "Sort out invoices". Instead, I should write scan invoices as one task, and then another task to go through the account and find missing invoices, etc. 

Could you also look to delegate some parts of larger tasks? If that's an option available to you.

7. If it takes less than 5 minutes, then do it straight away

Adding a simple task like "file papers", is probably going to take longer to write down than to actually do.

Do it now, and you won't even need to get motivated to do it!

8. Reward yourself 

A super simple way to feel more motivated I find is to reward myself for accomplishing a set task or tasks. 

If you've done x, then you can have y. For example, if you stick to your healthy meal and exercise plan all week and then allow yourself a naughty treat meal or snack at the weekend. 

That way come Monday, you will be more motivated to stick to a healthy diet again.

9. Create habits and routines

Habits and routines can not only help save brainpower but also save you time.

I've found putting a few key habits in place creates a structure for the day. For example, having a set morning routine.

10. Get ready for the day

Get out of bed, get showered and dressed before you have too much time to "lose" hours just doing nothing.

Again, guilty. I can wake up at 6:45 and then literally sit in bed watching TV until 10:30 and have done nothing.

Another reason a good morning routine will help you get going is that you will get on with the day without having to think about it once it becomes a habit.

11. Remember your successes

Let your successes be at the forefront of your mind instead of your failures. Write down your accomplishments.

Consider using a journal of some kind to remind yourself of your successes.

12. Go for a walk

If you lack motivation, get outside (if possible) and have a walk around.

I find that my thoughts and ideas start flowing much better after a walk. In fact, I've just picked up my laptop to write this straight after my afternoon walk.

13. Find an accountability buddy

Is there someone who together you could hold each other accountable?

When Dan's dad is around, we always feel super motivated. He just gets up and gets the job done, so we feel more motivated too. Maybe this is also because we feel guilty that we are just watching the TV and he's working, but it still has the same result, and we get on with things!

14. Read or watch motivating people 

When I need a bit of motivation, I pop on a podcast, watch YouTube or read articles by people I find motivating.

My personal favourites are:

The Anna Edit

Mel Robbins

Tony Robbins

Kayla Nicholson 

David Allen 

Tim Ferris 

15. Change your mindset

The last super simple way to feel more motivated is to change the way you think.

It's way too easy to think about the difficulties, not the benefits and therefore this may result in you talking yourself out of doing something.

Instead of thinking about how hard something is, think about what you will get out of it. For example, instead of thinking about how tiring exercise can be, focus on how good you'll feel and the longer-term benefits.

Replace negatives with positives. For example, instead of saying "This is too hard!" replace it with, "I can do this!" It sounds simple, but it really works.

What do you do to motivate yourself?

I would love to hear your tips. 

Lots of love, 

Helen x