How to Get Motivated When You Don’t Want to Do Anything

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Motivation can be a tricky beast to master, but there are things you can do to make it easier. Here’s how to get motivated when you don’t want to do anything.

Motivation can be a tricky beast to master, but there are things you can do to make it easier. Here's how to get motivated when you don't want to do anything.

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How to Get Motivated When You Don’t Want to Do Anything

If you’ve been thinking, “I have no motivation to do anything” then this post is for you.

I’ve found that are two main ways to get motivated to take action – in any area of your life – when you don’t feel like it:

Either start with the easiest task first, or the hardest.

It depends on the situation, but sometimes it helps to start with teeny tiny little baby steps and slowly build up momentum over time.

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Open a new tab with the website. Open your email account. Get out your journal. Put your running shoes beside the door. Get out of bed. Etc.

You can actually make a lot of progress by taking small steps every day over a long period of time.

And sometimes when you don’t want to do anything, it’s best to stick with small, non-intimidating actions so you don’t get overwhelmed.

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But on the other hand, sometimes starting with the most difficult, dreaded task is the best way to quickly get rid of the big bottleneck that’s preventing you from making progress.

Mark Twain said:

β€œEat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.”

Of course, you don’t have to literally eat a live frog ;), but if you start with your worst task for the day, then you get it done with early.

You feel great the rest of the day because regardless of what else you get accomplished, you’ve already been productive and tackled your worst task.

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I find listening to a motivational music playlist is a good way to get the initial burst of motivation needed to take your first action – whether that’s on an easy first step or tackling your most difficult project first.

Music can definitely change your mindset and outlook in the moment.

Would you rather start with the easiest tasks first or the most difficult? πŸ™‚

20 Quick Ways to Get Motivated Again | Self Motivation Techniques

Maybe you’re in need of some quick and dirty motivation so you can get back to getting stuff done and rocking on with your bad self.

In just a few minutes, you can motivate yourself back into action with any of these fast techniques.

Here are 20 quick ways to get motivated again and self motivation techniques.

1. Listen to an inspirational podcast
2. Watch an inspirational video (Like Mulan’s “I’ll Make a Man Out of You”)
3. Listen to upbeat music (top 40 works well! And Pitbull music)
4. Listen to an upbeat playlist on Spotify
5. Go for a run
6. Go for a slow, meditative walk. Appreciate and admire the nature around you (or whatever your surroundings are).
7. Do 20 jumping jacks (get your blood pumping)
8. Drink a cold glass of water
9. Eat a cup of broccoli
10. Review or write down your reason “why” behind why you’re doing what you’re doing
11. Remember why you started in the first place
12. Take a 15 minute break
13. If you’re really burned out, take an entire day off (or longer) and do absolutely nothing productive
14. Do something nice for yourself
15. Coffee!!
16. Brainstorm ideas (on any topic, or related to what you’re doing) for 15 minutes straight
17. Chew gum. It helps with concentration
18. Blast your music and have a mini dance party wherever you are
19. Block your Facebook newsfeed with the free Facebook Newsfeed Eradicator
20. Set a timer for 25 minutes and just WORK. This is from the Pomodoro technique

Boom, there you go!

If you’re not motivated, go back and do more things on this list (just don’t let seeking motivation become a form of procrastination from actually getting work done). You can do this. πŸ™‚

Some days are just blah and you don't really want to do anything, but taking action and getting something done will usually make you feel better. Here's how to take on the day when you don't feel like doing anything.

How to Take on the Day When You Don’t Feel Like Doing Anything

Some days are just blah and you don’t really want to do anything, but taking action and getting something done will usually make you feel better. Here’s how to take on the day when you don’t feel like doing anything.

If you wake up and you’re just totally overwhelmed by life, I like to take on the day by starting with the smallest actions possible that are as un-overwhelming as possible.

For example, maybe you’re still in bed. The smallest action you could take to start your day would be to get one toe out of bed. πŸ˜ƒ I heard this idea once a long time ago. Getting your whole body out of bed might sound overwhelming, but having one tiny little baby toe hanging over the edge of your mattress isn’t too bad, is it?

The secret to motivation is that it’s all about momentum. When you’re at a complete stop, it’s very difficult to get moving, but if you can start moving even a tiny bit, you’ll build up momentum and be able to keep going more easily and with less effort.

I’d also recommend reading The Compound Effect, which is all about how tiny, barely noticeable changes can make a huge difference in your life over a long period of time.

Thus the idea of taking the smallest action possible to get started.

Ok, now what? Take the next smallest step. Turn on your computer. Read an inspirational blog post on your phone or on our app. Get your leg out of bed.

Break down the task into its smallest possible parts: put your name on your essay, write a title, write the first paragraph, write the second paragraph, etc. Check, check, check.

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You can customize this depending on what you’re trying to do.

If you want to start working out in the morning, put your workout clothes out the night before. In the morning, get out of bed and put on your workout clothes. Once you’re wearing running shoes, you would feel pretty silly if you didn’t actually go work out.

If you’re trying to eat healthier, buy a bag of baby carrots and hummus for your fridge (or your preferred healthy snack). When you’re hungry, you’ll be looking for quick, convenient snacks, and then your fridge already has healthy options available.

You want to make it as easy as possible for you to succeed at meeting your goals. Start by taking small actions to prepare for successfully taking on the day.

Good luck. πŸ™‚

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