All of us struggle to stay motivated. The pressure of your studies, the pandemic and the fear of missing out on the fun moments at university can all drain your motivation. Here are four ways to help you stay motivated throughout the day, no matter what your lifestyle or schedule.
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Most of us (including myself) struggle to wake up in the morning and continuously press the snooze button until the last possible minute. This leads to a rushed morning and not the best start to the day.
Mornings should be a gift; a sacred time to focus on yourself. Studies show that the decisions you make during the first hour of our day impact your mood and motivation throughout the day. So, you shouldn’t start your day feeling guilty about waking up late or trying to play catch-up with lost time. Instead, you should begin on a positive and calm note.
A perfect morning routine that works for everyone doesn’t exist. It is possible, however, to establish a routine which works for you and fits your lifestyle. Your routine could last anything from 30 minutes to two hours and should include activities that will help you to stay focussed throughout the day. Meditation, journalling, and reading are great additions since they create a positive mindset at the start of the day.
Strategising your to-do list so that you complete your most important and difficult tasks first thing is a great way to help you feel accomplished and productive by the afternoon. It’s all too easy to feel tired and for your focus to start to wane after lunch. This method keeps you motivated to complete the rest of your (simpler) tasks for the day. Planning your to-do list in smaller segments around your schedule will also help you tackle that long list faster!
The key to maintaining motivation over time is persisting with your work and your goals. But it’s equally important not to over-work yourself to avoid burn out or feeling unsatisfied with your work. Taking breaks refreshes your mind and makes you more productive. Go for a walk on campus, meet a friend for lunch, take evenings off to spend time with your housemates, or binge watch a Netflix series. Don’t focus on the things you didn’t manage to accomplish during the day or the things on tomorrow’s to-do list. Enjoy the downtime; it’s well-deserved and should focus on activities that bring you happiness and satisfaction.
It’s much easier to start your mornings off on the right foot if you set yourself up for success the night before. Like with a morning routine, taking some time to plan ahead for the next day before going to bed can help you start your day well. Sometimes it’s the small things like highlighting your priority tasks, waking up to a clean room or your outfit already laid out which can make all the difference, and mean the next morning is a little easier and a lot more enjoyable.
1. Journal: The 5 Minute Journal by Intelligent Change – see more
2. Planner: Daily Planner by Rileys & Co – see more
3. Book: My Morning Routine, Benjamin Spall and Michael Xander – find out more
4. Book: Atomic Habits, James Clear – find out more
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