How do you keep working when you’re just not feeling it? How do you focus on work that seems drudgery instead of enjoyable? How do you stop yourself from making the excuse that you’re just not in the mood to do it?
These are important questions to ask yourself in order to get work done and achieve your goals, even when you don’t feel like doing it, which isn’t as uncommon as it might seem. To help you figure out how to keep working when you don’t feel like it, here are five tips to try.
1. Set your own schedule
One of my favorite tricks for getting motivated when I’m tired or uninspired is setting a timer. For example, if you want to write a report, try scheduling an hour-long time block in your calendar for working on it.
If you feel uninspired after 30 minutes and don’t think you can get through another 20, leave — but only after setting a new timer. This way, once one project feels daunting and not fun anymore.
You have something else waiting for you on your calendar. Allowing yourself flexibility with scheduling can keep work from feeling like work — and help motivate you!
Set your own schedule, regardless of how you feel. You can do it; I believe in you is a famous quote from The Little Engine That Could — and there’s truth in that. We often underestimate our capabilities and end up convinced we can’t finish a task when we don’t even try.
Even if you only have enough energy to keep working for 10 minutes, take that opportunity; once you get started, motivation will follow, and so will results.
Let’s be honest: it can be hard to keep working when you’re just not feeling it. Whether your mood is down and productivity is low, or you’re just in a bad mood and don’t feel like doing anything, we all have those days. Knowing how to push through them can make all the difference between giving up and succeeding in business.
Be consistent with your work schedule — make sure you’re setting aside time for yourself each day and that that time isn’t subject to change depending on your emotions — and know when you need a break. If nothing else, stop working when you are ready for a break so that fatigue doesn’t become an issue.
2. Wake up earlier
If you’re one of those people who have a hard time getting out of bed, don’t despair. Exercising in the morning — even for just 20 minutes — can have positive effects on your mood and energy levels throughout your day. (See also: How to Wake Up Early)
To get more done during your waking hours, it’s important to take control of your mornings. By waking up earlier and working in a focused fashion for an extended period of time, you’ll be able to finish tasks at a more consistent pace.
Plus, you can use that extra time before work or after work to fit in those things you’ve been putting off (exercise, anyone?). It takes some self-discipline at first, but once you see how much you get done during those early morning hours, it will become easier over time.
There’s a reason we associate early birds with success — getting up early can make all of your to-do list items more manageable. If you normally roll out of bed at 9 a.m., try waking up at 7 a.m. and make sure you get in some exercise before work, as well as when you’re home after work.
Exercise has been shown to boost energy levels throughout your day, so even if you don’t feel great when you wake up in the morning, getting your blood pumping early is an easy way to turn things around.
Of course, if you have trouble waking up that early — and getting yourself going for whatever reason — you might want to reconsider your start time.
3. Change where you work,
Everyone has days when they’re just not feeling it, but there are ways to change your environment and get more motivated. One simple solution is to take a break and go somewhere else:
If you do all of your work from home, try working at a coffee shop or library — places where you can concentrate, but also be surrounded by other people who will make you feel less isolated.
Having other people around is an important motivator because it gives us perspective on our own situation:
We’re not failing as much as we think we are (or at least other people have felt that way too). Plus, changing up where we work can give us some distance from our own personal problems and help us focus on solving real-world issues.
Sometimes we need a change of scenery. If you’re in a routine rut, changing where you work can help get you out of it. For example, if you usually work from home but have a nice coworking space nearby.
Or, if you always go to your favorite coffee shop but want something new — just switch it up! Changing your routine can provide some much-needed motivation and inspiration that may keep you on track.
If you find yourself not feeling it at work one day, it might be a good idea to look around for a change of scenery. Studies have shown that if you change where you work from time to time, your productivity will increase. For example, try working in an entirely different room or taking a short walk around town.
Whatever you do, make sure that whatever you’re doing is safe and legal — but only because no one wants a lawsuit on their hands when they’re just trying to get some work done! :)
4. Take a break,
This is one of those times when you just need to take a break. Walk around, do some stretches, and maybe even lie down for a few minutes. Chances are, you’ll feel like working again in no time.
If that doesn’t work, find something else to occupy your mind while you’re away from your desk: make a phone call, read an email, look up movie show time — whatever gets your brain off work.
Sometimes we just need a break from our work. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and can’t quite put your finger on why, it might be time for a break. Take 30 minutes, go for a walk, grab some coffee with a friend — anything that helps you relax and refresh.
Sometimes stepping away from your work gives you an opportunity to come back with fresh eyes and a new perspective. Sometimes all it takes is a short break!
In times of frustration, stress, or feeling generally unmotivated and uninspired, there’s no shame in taking a breather from your work. Sometimes you just need to take a step back and remember what made you excited about working on your business in the first place.
Sometimes, if our day-to-day lives are full of work, responsibilities at home, and other commitments, we can forget why we’re doing what we’re doing. I personally like to make sure.
I take regular breaks during my workdays — not for any particular amount of time or with any specific purpose in mind; sometimes just because it feels good to step away from my computer screen and focus on something else for a while.
5. Exercise
We all know that exercise is an excellent way to beat a bad mood, but sometimes it’s hard to get your butt out of bed on a crappy day. If you don’t have time for an hour-long workout, consider shorter exercises, like going for a brisk 15-minute walk.
Or find ways to make physical activity fit into your schedule: take breaks from work at midday or night, head outside if you’re stuck in front of a computer all day, and park as far away from your destination as possible, so you have to walk more when getting there.
Exercise also helps with insomnia — after all, that groggy feeling comes from more than just a lack of sleep!
Getting out of a rut doesn’t have to mean pounding away on that treadmill — take a walk, go for a run, or even just do some quick exercises right in your office.
Exercise has been proven time and again as an easy way to kick-start your creativity. Plus, if you don’t feel like doing work? Well, exercise is something you have to do anyway. So there you go!
Sometimes there’s just no way around it — you’re in a slump. But, hey, don’t let that stop you from getting your work done! Getting some exercise can energize you and give you renewed focus (and, yes, sometimes even a better mood). Set an alarm for every hour or so and get up and do five jumping jacks.
Or go outside for a quick walk around your office building. All of these small breaks can help break up any ruts you might be in without leaving your desk. If you still find yourself struggling after that?
Take an actual break: Stretch your legs at the water cooler or grab some coffee with one of your coworkers. A change of scenery could make all the difference!
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