As the day-to-day becomes more and more mundane, it can be challenging to sustain the motivation and drive to hit your goals. You may have felt this at work, and you’ve almost certainly felt it when trying to check menial items off of your to-do list. Cleaning the bathroom, getting rid of old clothes, and sending a long list of emails suddenly seems too hard to hit after they’ve been on your list for what seems like months. To get over this loss of motivation, here are five ways to find that spark to hit your goals.
1. Start small and prioritize
Typically, we lose motivation because our goals seem too far out-of-reach or too complicated to achieve. That’s OK. If you have a big project due in a month, break it down into smaller tasks that need to be accomplished. For example, if you have an essay due at the end of the month, organize tasks into preliminary research, outlining, writing, editing, and proofreading. Assign times to each task and make blocks in your weekly schedule to start chipping away at the project.
Additionally, if you find that you have a bunch of smaller tasks that can be accomplished in a few hours or so, knock these out first. Drop that package off at the postal office, clean out your fridge, and send a few, quick emails to gain back some of that productivity.
2. Surround yourself with positivity
One reason we lose motivation to hit our goals is because we’re surrounded by people who complain just as much as we do, or who have a negative outlook on things. Not only can this diminish productivity, it can lower self-esteem, increase anxiety levels, and negatively affect your mood. Try to surround yourself with positive people who provide encouragement and lift you up in times of need and struggle.
3. Connect to a bigger purpose
Another reason we lose motivation in our work is because we don’t find it valuable anymore. Studies consistently show that we’re driven to do our work by intrinsic motivators. In other words, we’re motivated by the values and drivers that we connect with. There are three basic qualities of intrinsic motivators: autonomy, mastery, and purpose. Autonomy is our desire to be self-directed, mastery centers around refining our skills, and purpose is our desire to do something meaningful and important. Try to channel these values and reconnect to the work you’re doing.
4. Reward yourself
While intrinsic motivators can help us find the motivation to hit our goals, extrinsic motivation can as well. At work, this might take the form of a paycheck or bonus. At home, you can reward yourself by buying dessert or splurging on a new clothing item you wanted after all of the chores and items on your to-do list are complete.
5. Find your center
If you’re overwhelmed by the amount of responsibilities on your plate, it can be challenging to find the motivation and courage to start tackling things. Before attempting to hit your goals, take a few minutes out of your day to focus on your breathing. According to House Method, finding peace in the midst of a hectic schedule can be done by finding a tucked away corner of your home and resting here for a short period. Make sure the space is free of distractions, noise and light levels are down, and you have a comfortable place to sit and close your eyes.