Productivity & Organization

10 ways to motivate yourself when you're just not feeling it

24 // 10 // 2021

The struggle has been real lately! Maybe it’s because the sun is finally shining, or moon energy (if you’re into that) or just a good ‘ol brick wall we’ve all hit.

For whatever reason, the unmotivated, low energy, lull we’ve all gone through the last couple weeks, if not month has been a real pain. It’s also frustrating – especially as a freelancer/entrepreneur, your income solely relies on you and the work you’re putting out. So if you are feeling this ‘don’t want to do anything’ vibe, then your bank account also suffers.

It can be hard to pull yourself out of it, especially when it’s easier to park yourself on your couch and watch reruns of Friends.

But, we’re here to help! Here are 10 ways to motivate yourself when you’re just not feeling it:

1. Reflect on your goals

During the start of a year, or even different quarters, we’re usually pretty good at taking a look at our goals and adding more to the list. When you’re in this slump, take some time to look back on the goals you’ve set for yourself for the year. You’d be surprised to see what you’ve already accomplished (aka, checking that off the list – what’s more satisfying?) and what you are close to accomplishing. The little reminder is a bit of motivation that might get you back in the grind.

2. Take time for yourself

As an entrepreneur, we very rarely take time for ourselves. One of the main reasons is because everything falls on us – we are responsible for every aspect of our business and if something doesn’t get done, the only person who suffers is you. With that, we tend to put so much on our plate and jam pack our schedules – leaving little time for yourself. Block out a day during the week or even a small chunk of time during the day to take some time for yourself. Whether it’s meditating, going to the mall or just watching your favourite tv show – do it for you and check out for a bit.

3. Get back into a routine

One of the hardest things to do when you’ve fallen in that slump is to get back into a routine. Getting over that hump is SO hard. But the only way to fix it is to just do it – create a routine and get back into it. One thing that really works for us is time blocking your day. From the moment you wake up, to when you go to bed, time block your day with everything you will be doing – even eating breakfast to working on a project. It will force you to know what you should be doing and when and not allow you to fall into a slump on the couch.

4. Get others to motivate you

We all know this all too well – we do a lot alone as entrepreneurs. We’ve developed this mindset that it’s all on us. And while, yes you do work for yourself so a lot of the work is dependent on you – it doesn’t mean you can’t rely on others to help you out. Reach out to other entrepreneurs or your friends and family and let them know what you are going through. Chances are they’ve gone through something very similar and can help you through it.

5. Do a positive deed

Not that you shouldn’t always do positive deeds but when you’re feeling a lack of energy or motivation, try doing something good. It can be as simple as holding the door for someone, donating your old clothes or volunteering at your local charity. Do something good to give you a sense of fulfillment and a burst of positive energy.

6. Do one thing

When we get into these states, a big part of it is because we pack our to do list so big, that we don’t even know where to start and therefore, we end up doing nothing. When we make our lists too big, it becomes overwhelming and the easiest thing to do is to turn that list over and pretend it doesn’t exist. Instead of trying to accomplish ALL of the things in a day, tell yourself you’re going to do ONE thing. Set the bar low and slowly as you get one thing done, you’ll have a sense of accomplishment and soon you’ll work your way up to doing more and more.

7. Take a mental health day

If this is something that is given in the corporate world, why can’t we as entrepreneurs have them too! It’s important to listen to your body and what it’s trying to tell you. If you are feeling burnt out, unmotivated or stressed (among all the others…) then check-out and take a mental health day. Spend some time with yourself and bring yourself back to life. Relax, shut your mind off and let your body rebuild.

8. Take a good look at your diet

When we get into these funks, our diets usually do too. We eat poorly and snack frequently – no Bueno! Reflect on what you’ve been putting in your body and eliminate everything that isn’t good, wholesome foods. It’s important to fuel your body with nutrient rich foods to keep us energized and working our best. Pinterest some good meal plans and get yourself back on track and you should definitely feel a burst of energy mentally and physically in no time.

9. Move your body

Time to get off the couch! Majority of the day we are either sitting at our desks or laying down and sleeping. Our bodies need to move. Make it a priority to move your body every single day. Whether it’s going for a walk or going hard in the gym – it’s important to get your blood flowing and your muscles pumping.

10. Journal

There’s a really good journal called “The Five-Minute Journal” - it’s a great way to start your morning. Take 5 minutes every morning to reflect on how you are feeling, how you want your day to be and express gratitude. We often get so caught up in the hustle and bustle and we start our mornings in full speed. Take things slow and let your mind wake up and reflect.

Burnout is real and we all get to that point at some point in our lives and careers. Although you feel hopeless when it’s happening because your motivation and energy is so low – it’s not the end! It’s just a matter of time before you get out of your funk and the energy starts to flow again. Try these 10 tips for getting motivated when you’re just not feeling it.

What are some things you do to get back into the zone? Let us know in the comments!