Feeling Demotivated We Have 5 Motivation Tips To Get You Through This Pandemic
Olivia Attwood
Certified Professional Resume Writer ● Career Coach ● Executive Resume Writer ● MBA, BEng, CPRW, CPCC
Before Covid hit us, only around 20% of the American workforce were working from home. Today, this percentage has soared up to 71%. Working from home is much easier than having to travel to work daily, but only if your motivation levels don’t dip.
We all had a pre-Covid routine of waking up earlier than the sun to commute and returning home after eight grueling hours of office work. It may not have been ideal, but it sure did keep us motivated throughout the day.
Post-Covid, we are dealing with a lot of things on our own while working remotely in isolation. As a result, our motivation levels can go down easily at the slightest inconvenience. This is why we thought of sharing these 5 golden tips to help you along.
Make yourself a daily routine
Your daily schedule has changed a lot post-pandemic. Most likely, you don’t have one at all now. Waking up with only five minutes to spare before the workday starts and writing reports in your pajamas has become the new normal for you now. Though this seemed appealing at first, you’re probably beginning to question the wisdom in your choices now.
We have realized that having a daily schedule for yourself can be an excellent motivation booster. It’s not an overly complicated task that involves a foot-long spreadsheet describing your every activity down to the last minute. It can be as simple as working out a small morning routine.
All you should do is get out of bed an hour or so before work starts, have a refreshing shower, and write a small to-do list in your notebook. Your to-do list doesn’t need to be all about work. You can first list out all the work projects and tasks you want to get done for the day, and then add some other stuff you’d like to do too. Biking around the block in the evening, going out for ice cream, or even calling your cousin who lives in the next state can be a fresh addition to your schedule.
Keep a screen time and a non-screen time
Screen time is important when working remotely because you’ll be using your laptop, tab, or phone all day to get things done. Too much screen time however is a huge demotivator. Most of us can’t feel the time when we are engrossed in a screen and can easily overwork ourselves. This is why taking time away from screens is vital to stay motivated.
When working through a difficult project, you may find yourself being compelled to type away at your laptop through lunch. Or, after a day of work, you might feel like working through the night to get some more tasks done. Our advice is, don’t. If your workday is eight hours, stick to those hours. Disconnect from your devices after the hours are done.
This helps you take breaks between tasks and to create an unseen boundary between work and your personal life. It’s also good to remember that we humans work better when we take a rest between projects. It’s a wise thing to not take your devices to bed with you. Some experts suggest that you should stay away from screens an hour before your bedtime.
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Dedicate time to exercise a little
Exercise is the best motivator for a tired body and mind. Total gym lover? Keep an hour or two of your evening free for a gym session. Not so much of a gym addict? A 30-minute jog around the block can get your endorphin levels soaring. Don’t enjoy getting all sweaty? A walk in the neighborhood park might be the thing for you.
Whichever exercise activity you enjoy that gets you out of your house is your friend when aiming to boost your motivation levels. Physical activity makes us feel good about ourselves, which helps boost our happy hormone levels. Scientists have linked physical exercise with increased motivation and productivity.
If you don’t want to exercise you can try something like following along with dance choreography, a YouTube Zumba session, or a yoga routine even. Chances are, you’ll be feeling much better and motivated afterward.
Don’t forget to pat yourself on the back
If you’re used to getting rewarded for jobs well done at the office, working alone without anyone to notice your good work can be demotivating. Sometimes, you may find it hard to focus on one task until it is completed. You can remedy this by being your own rewarder or timekeeper.
Instead of trying to tackle a 2-hour long task in one go, break it down into four 30-minute sessions. Once you’ve completed all four of those, reward yourself with a 15-minute break. You can use the break time to listen to some music, make yourself a snack, or do whatever other thing that you enjoy.
However, make sure that your work sessions are uninterrupted. If you spend 10 of those 30 minutes gossiping on a group chat, it won’t be much of an achievement. Depending on your motivation level, you can adjust the duration of your work sessions. If you’re feeling highly energetic, you can finish a one-hour session before you take a break. If you feel down and don’t feel like working for too long, make those sessions shorter.
Healthy eating habits can work miracles
Snacking on take-outs and fast food may please your taste buds but might not be so good for your mental and physical health. Good nutrition is a vital part of your health. It’s a known scientific fact that healthy eating habits make you energetic, alert, strong, and fortify your immune system. It’s quite difficult to be motivated if you’re feeling lethargic or sickly.
The times you take your meals has an impact on your mental and physical health too. So, instead of waking up late and going for a late brunch, try to wake up early and have a good breakfast before 8 AM. Sticking to regular mealtimes can boost your energy levels as well as your motivation levels.
Include more fruits and veggies in your meals and try to limit saturated fats and sugars. Swap your French fries snack for a bag of carrot sticks to notice the difference. Avoid salty foods and sugary drinks. Also, make sure to drink two liters of water a day to keep hydrated.