In a Slump? Get Your Motivation Back and Thrive!

We’ve all been there at one point. You find yourself in a slump and you lose your motivation. Maybe you can’t get off the couch or you find yourself procrastinating important tasks. Do you feel like throwing in the proverbial towel? The good news is that you can overcome this mindset and regain your motivation in just a few hours.

1. Clear your head.

I like taking some “me” time -- like a long walk with my dog. The outcome is to stop thinking about what is on your to-do list and just move. Leave the phone and headphones at home if you can. Just walk, breathe, and enjoy the simplicity of Just Being. Don’t think about past or present, try and stay in the moment.

2. Think back to square one.

When you get back home, go somewhere quiet and think about why you started in the first place. What was it that initially lit that spark and set you in motion? Here are a few questions to get you started.

• ·???????Why did I choose this work?
• ·???????What were the initial goals?
• ·???????What are your ultimate goals?
• ·???????What are you willing to struggle for?

You don’t have to ask these exact questions. The idea is to carve out some alone time to remember why you started.

3. Gamify your task list with mini-sprints.

When we see a task as too big, overwhelming, or tedious we can shutdown. Instead of forcing yourself up against a daunting task, break things down into shorter blocks of time.

Our brains like instant gratification. Take your list and set up mini-sprints. Set a timer for 10 minutes and race the clock. Pick a task and complete as much as you can before your buzzer goes off. ?This will help you feel more focused, and the fast pace can be energizing.

4. Get to know your “ultradian rhythm”.

The basic to this rhythm theory is that most brains can work for about an hour before needing to take a break. Then there is the 52/17 rule, where you work for 52 minutes and then have a 17-minute break. And lastly the Pomodoro Technique which is based on a 25/5 minute schedule.

The goal is to optimize and prioritize your breaks because it will benefit your work time as well. ?Get to know what works best for you and stop skipping your “me” time.

5. Eliminate limiting beliefs.

This one is a bit more complex because sometimes we don’t even realize that we have a limiting thought or perspective. But these negative thought patterns are pervasive and limiting beliefs will hold us hostage. We freeze in flight, or maybe never even take off. They prevent us from starting businesses, reaching out to others to network, and from achieving our goals. They sap our motivation!

A sneaky way that limiting thinking shows up is through limiting wishes, such as, “If I had a million dollars, I could launch my startup.” Be on the lookout for these limiting thought patterns and challenge them when you find them. Overcome them through asking, “What if I’m wrong” and “How is this belief serving me?”

How do you regain motivation? Please share your tips below!

“Don’t limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve.” ―Mary Kay Ash