Get Unstuck: A Motivation Boost for the Unmotivated

We’ve all been in that zone.

The ‘I just don’t feel like it’ zone.

Often, it is a combination of a heavy, lazy feeling and the bad, time sucking habit of procrastination.

Even the most motivated people experience a slump at some point. Yet, the difference between those who get things done and those who don’t is how they deal with these slumps

The problem with not doing anything about the lazy feeling or the procrastination is that it can easily become an entrenched habit that permeates your daily life.

Here’s how to push through the barriers and break through the ‘I don’t feel like it’ zone:

Don’t wait until you feel like it

If you were to wait until you were absolutely ready to do something, you would wait forever.

The thing about motivation is that it is fleeting; it is not constant. Like the waves, it comes and goes and comes and goes. Waiting until you feel motivated enough to do what needs to be done simply does not work.

The solution?

Just ignore your feelings instead of rationalizing them.

If you are experiencing that heavy, lethargic feeling, just ignore it and take the first step to do what really needs to be done.

The most prolific people, the highest achievers usually do not wait to feel eager or motivated to get things done. They just show up and get on with their work.

Simplify your routine or task

A major reason why people have a hard time getting started is that it is simply difficult to start.

The feeling of overwhelm often keeps us from taking the first step because you just do not know where to start.

The solution is to make it easy for yourself to take that first step.

For example, say you have a large report to write. The mere thought of how much time and effort is needed to complete the report is enough to make you feel like not doing it.

However, if you break down the task into manageable milestones, for instance by dedicating the first hour of your morning to writing, it feels less overwhelming to accomplish.

Often, the most difficult part is getting started. But once you do, it gets easier to accomplish the things that need to be done.

Focus on what’s there to lose

Think about it: When you’ve had something to lose, you knew you had to do anything to prevent that loss.

If you knew that not completing your manuscript on time would seriously agitate your publisher, you would probably be very ruthless with your time so you can complete the manuscript on time.

Psychologists call this prevention focus. When you consider the potential loss that could result from not doing something, you are likelier to motivate yourself to do what needs to be done to prevent this loss.

If there is nothing to lose, it is likely that what needs to be done is not a priority for you.

Leverage the power of peer pressure

Social commitment can be a great motivator especially if you are constantly having a hard time getting things done.

Be honest with yourself. If you lack the willpower to get to work but you know you need to, make a social commitment to your peers.

No one wants to look like a failure in the eyes of their friends or colleagues. Making yourself accountable to them can motivate you to move forward with your project, close that deal, start writing or start working out and stick with it.

So, if you have a big project or you have something significant to accomplish, let it be known to your peers. Then, get to work.

Motivation Tip

We all procrastinate for one reason or another. However, putting things off becomes a habit when you constantly have to wait for motivation to get on with the things that need to be accomplished. Instead of waiting or rationalizing your feelings, just take the first step to get started.