How to Increase Motivation When You’re in a Slump
“Today I don’t feel like doing anything, I just wanna lay in my bed.” Bruno Mars
How often have you felt like that? You might just need a rest. But what if you feel unmotivated every single day? That, my friend, is called a slump.
In the past, the greats regained motivation through exploration. Before recording the White Album, The Beatles trekked through Northern India and studied transcendental meditation. Steve Jobs did the same, met a guru, and invented the iPhone.
But with borders closed all around us, the closest thing to wanderlust is grabbing a pizza across town—not quite as invigorating.
The good news is motivation surrounds us; we just need to know where to look.
Here are ways on how to increase your motivation when you’re in a slump.
1. Unplug (but for Real This Time)
Take your lunch to a park, or go for an urban hike.
Listen to the sounds of nature. Smell the plants and flowers. Focus on being entirely in the present moment, and you’ll realize the world didn’t suddenly end in 2020.
2. Put Some Motivation in Your Ear
I’ve found that all it takes is one rousing speech to change your mindset.
Pop in your headphones, and do a Google search for “motivation.” There are thousands of speeches on YouTube, even mega-mixes of motivational speakers like Joel Osteen, Wayne Dyer, Les Brown, etc. TEDx has inspiring speeches by Dan Pink, Angela Duckworth, Tony Robbins, and more.
3. Give Back to Others
The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. Mahatma Gandhi
It’s counterintuitive, but it’s true.
These acts of service make your problems look and feel smaller. Most importantly, you feel more empowered to overcome any challenges you face.
Try this: Go to volunteermatch.org and find a charitable opportunity that is meaningful to you. I promise that giving back will lessen the weight of your problems.
4. Call Your Most Positive Friend
We’ve all heard the adage, “you are the sum of your five closest friends.” It’s true because what our peers say affects us.
If you suffer from negative family members or peers, their cynicism will slowly infect you. Instead, drown them out. Spend more time with people that are ‘glass-half-full’—those that look for the upsides.
5. Find Your Creative Side
One unseen benefit of the quarantine was that many people finally had time for creative projects. By invoking our imagination, we can often break through mental blocks. This can help us increase our motivation to do things.
Have you ever wanted to write poetry, play an instrument, or paint? Stop talking about it and start doing it. Pull out a piece of paper unleash your artistic side to break through your slump.
6. Start a Gratitude Journal
“The struggle ends when gratitude begins.” Neale Donald Walsch
Let’s take some lessons from this horrible pandemic—a simple but profound one: just appreciate everything that we have.
Build a habit of writing down three things you’re grateful for in your journal every day – or at least one!
7. Sweat Out Stress
I am a firm believer that an incredible workout (and a delicious recovery meal) can cure almost any bad day. It’s no coincidence that so many successful people like to run or bike.
Getting into a physical state brings levels of mental clarity like nothing else.
Get your endorphins flowing!
8. Disable the Distractions
The average person gets interrupted once every 8 minutes.
Put your phone on do-not-disturb, or shut it off completely. Do the same for your desktop. If you’re in a noisy environment, get noise-canceling headphones or earplugs.
Follow the Pomodoro Method and set a timer for 25 minutes. After one Pomodoro, take a 5-minute break, then start again.
You will find yourself getting better results, creating a virtuous cycle of motivation.
Final Thoughts
Everyone encounters a slump at least once in their lives, but what differs from person to person is how they handle it. Hopefully, these tips will help you overcome that slump and be the best that you can be.
Thanks for your Wisdom Chris Tubbs
