As we confront the many changes and challenges that 2020 has brought, it is not uncommon to feel a complete lack of motivation, productivity, and energy.

The current climate sees many of us working and studying at home with very little opportunity to meet with peers or attend work or classes. This can cause our routines to be interrupted and without routine motivation is difficult to achieve. 

Lack of motivation is often a common response to stress and feeling overwhelmed. Below are a few tips on finding your motivation to get your tasks done.

Keep a Routine

Keeping to a routine can help you stay motivated and help to feel organised and in control, while also helping to manage stress and anxiety. 

Having a structure to your day is very beneficial. Try building a routine that adds structure and a sense of consistency to your day. 

Structuring your day also has the benefit of showing how much you have achieved, giving you a sense accomplishment.

Make a List

Make sure to write a list of all that needs to be completed, as well as a list of things you enjoy doing. This can help you focus and provide a sense of purpose. And remember to make it a short list so you don’t become overwhelmed. 

Congratulate yourself after you complete a task, making rewards a part of your routine can help you stay upbeat and focused when you are working on a task that you might not enjoy as much.

Find Balance

Balance is vital to a healthy approach to getting motivated. Exercise releases endorphins and serotonin which helps to lift your mood. Incorporating even twenty-minutes of exercise into your daily routine will help start your day and make it easier to get on with your tasks.

Eat healthy, balanced meals, practice relaxation exercises like mindfulness meditation or yoga and schedule time out for fun activities and connecting with friends and family.

Don’t beat yourself up

While having a routine is important, give yourself some flexibility and don’t beat yourself up if you have trouble sticking to your own schedule.

Everyone copes with stress differently. Having a routine can help you maintain a sense of normalcy and focus through tough times, but don’t stress yourself out more if you sometimes deviate from your plans. Even the smallest of steps brings you closer to completion, keep going!

If you would like professional support with anything you are going through turn2me provides free, confidential online supports for young people and adults in the Republic of Ireland.

• Peer support – A free and safe space where you can find and give support by connecting with other people who have been through similar experiences.
• Group support -Facilitated by a mental health professional, support groups are a safe space to connect with others and share solutions and coping strategies on a variety of mental health topics.
• Counselling – Support for whatever you are going through, this is a safe space to talk with a professional counsellor to help you understand your feelings and work together to develop the tools you need to get through tough times.