How to Keep Going When You Don't Feel Like it

The struggle is real. Sooner or later it will happen. You’ll wake up and the idea of getting started isn’t exciting, it’s downright uncomfortable. Realistically, it's normal to face days when motivation is at an all-time low. Whether you're dealing with work pressures, personal setbacks, or just an overall sense of fatigue, pushing through these moments is a challenge that everyone encounters.

This struggle is universal, but what sets successful individuals apart is their ability to tap into their grit and resilience.

These qualities aren't just about powering through; they involve smart strategies that help you navigate tough times without burning out. In this blog, we'll explore some foundational steps to stay motivated and productive, followed by three specific strategies that can help you keep moving forward even on the toughest days.

Acknowledge Your Feelings

Let's call it like it is.

It’s okay to not feel 100% all the time.

Recognize how you're feeling and understand that it’s normal and neither good nor bad. Once you accept that, you can start working on ways to get back on track. Research shows that recognizing and processing emotions can significantly improve mental well-being and resilience. Emotional coping strategies include a variety of ways to help regulate our emotions and can help us get back on track. Our goal with these strategies isn’t to dismiss our feelings or even to try to divorce ourselves from them. Rather it’s best to acknowledge our emotions and commit to addressing them.

It’s also important to remember that it’s on us to recognize when it’s an appropriate time to work through and process our emotions. There are many instances where it’s preferred or even best to delay processing. Just be sure to carve out time for yourself to work through these sooner than later.

Break It Down

When tasks seem overwhelming, break them down into smaller, more manageable steps. This makes it easier to get started and gives you a sense of accomplishment as you complete each step. The Pomodoro Technique is a great example of this strategy, breaking work into 25-minute intervals with short breaks in between to maintain focus and reduce stress. It’s also helpful to work with a planner and written objectives and goals. If you have a resource where you can turn that already lays out the minimal steps you need to take, it becomes a lot easier to get started.

Often, getting started is the most difficult step to take in overcoming motivational lulls.

Set Realistic Goals

Setting achievable goals is crucial. Don't try to do everything at once. By setting smaller, realistic goals, you can build momentum and keep moving forward. Effective time management, such as prioritizing tasks and using tools like targeted to-do lists, can enhance productivity and reduce the stress of overwhelming workloads. When we achieve even the smallest of successes it can immediately help shift our perception and our emotions. Sometimes, this is all that is needed to overcome a lack of motivation or feelings of despair, dismay or simple loss of enthusiasm.

3 Actionable Strategies

In addition to the basics, I want to share three specific strategies that I use to keep going when the going gets tough. These strategies have helped me personally overcome diminished enthusiasm, lackluster motivation and even serious setbacks.

1. Step Back and Do Something Different

When you're struggling, sometimes it's best to step back and do something different that still moves you forward. This could be catching up on notes, updating your CRM, or processing conversations. By doing this, you get a chance to reflect on both positive and negative experiences, helping you to gain perspective and maintain objectivity. This aligns with research showing that shifting tasks can help manage stress and improve overall productivity.

For instance, if you're feeling overwhelmed by the thought of making another call, take some time to update your CRM with recent interactions. Not only does this give you a break from the immediate stressor, but it also ensures you're staying productive.

Task-switching can help reduce cognitive load and refresh your mental state, making you more effective in the long run.

Redirecting ourselves is a great way to allow us to energize ourselves by taking action on something that is less challenging in the moment and still productive.

2. Lean In and Attack It

After facing a setback, lean in and take the next opportunity head-on. Make the next call, have the next meeting, and put yourself in a position to succeed. The past is the past, and each new opportunity is a chance for a different outcome. This approach helps you move beyond the immediate disappointment and focus on new possibilities. Taking immediate action can reduce the negative impact of setbacks and increase resilience.

This strategy is particularly effective in sales and business development, where rejection is part of the game. By quickly moving to the next opportunity, you prevent negative experiences from accumulating and weighing you down. Remember, each new interaction is a fresh chance to succeed and the more ‘no’s’ you receive the closer you are to a ‘yes!/

3. Fill Your Schedule

Keep your calendar full. When you have a packed schedule, you don't have time to dwell on setbacks. Stay focused on the tasks at hand and process any negative experiences outside of your typical working hours. Reflect, journal, or meditate later, but during the day, keep moving forward. This strategy is supported by a number of time management research studies indicating that a structured schedule helps maintain focus and reduces the likelihood of stress and procrastination.

A full schedule means you're constantly moving from one task to the next, leaving little room for self-doubt, rumination or negative thinking. This doesn't mean ignoring your feelings; rather, it's about compartmentalizing them so you can address them at a more appropriate time.

The above strategies can help you keep going when you don’t feel like it. They've certainly helped me. Remember, overcoming motivational challenges is all about acknowledging your feelings, breaking tasks down into manageable steps, and setting realistic goals. Implement these strategies, and you'll be better equipped to handle those tough days.