Work Smarter, Not Harder: Staying Motivated to Achieve Goals

Whether you are a professional, worker, business owner, athlete, student or regardless of who you are, there's a time in our life when we feel so unmotivated to do anything. You don’t have the energy to get up from your bed to come to work or school, or you don’t want to go to your training, or you just feel too tired to do your daily routines. Funny enough, but yes, we all struggle to get motivated and stay motivated every single day. Finding our daily motivation is something that we really need to work out with.

Why do we Feel Unmotivated?

It is very common that sometimes, we really feel so unmotivated, and there are a few reasons:

1. Fear – can cloud our judgment and diminish our self-confidence. It often makes us hesitant to begin something new or to try again after experiencing setbacks or failures. It can lead to reluctance in taking risks and cause us to doubt our ability to achieve success.
2. Being overwhelmed–  It's difficult to stay motivated when we feel overwhelmed by having too much on our plate. When our minds are cluttered with tasks or when certain responsibilities lack clarity, it can drain our energy and focus, making it even harder to take action
3. Burnout – occurs when we overwork ourselves without taking the proper rest we need. When we neglect our mental and physical well-being in favor of other priorities, it can lead to exhaustion and burnout, leaving us drained and unproductive.
4. Goals are not set clearly – have you set your SMART goals? Did you set your short term and long-term goals? If you don’t set your goals clearly, you will also feel the lack of purpose in doing your task and it will be really hard to find the motivation to keep on working.
5. Lack of focus – it is really hard to stay motivated if you lack focus or being disturbed or distracted. You can’t focus on finishing your work if you are constantly disturbed by your coworkers or your housemates. Doing multiple tasks at a time can be hard to focus on and get motivated to finish one.
6. Physical and Mental Health – if you are not in good condition, whether it is physically or mentally, it will be likely that you will be unmotivated. You will not have the energy to get up or do something if you are tired, sleepy or hungry. It is also the same if you’re having depression or anxiety. You might lose your interest in the things that you once enjoyed and might feel the emptiness and hopelessness that will result in being unmotivated.

How to Become More Motivated

1. Set your Goals – goals must be set clearly and realistically whether it is a short-term goal or a long-term goal

• SMART goals
  • Specific – specify what needs to be accomplished, how you will achieve it
  • Measurable – quantify or indicate the level of progress
  • Achievable – must be attainable and not impossible to achieve or complete
  • Realistic – within reach and realistic given the resources
  • Timebound – clearly and define timeline with start and end dates

2. Go Back to your “Why’s” – to have a more clarity and understanding on your goals, you must know the reasons behind your “Why’s”, or the reason behind your goals or tasks. If you feel unmotivated, just think again about the purpose of why you are doing it. In this way, your mind and body can be realigned again to complete your goals.
3. Do One Task at a Time – if you are juggling multiple tasks, then you can try to break up your workload into small tasks. In this way you will not get overwhelmed and burned out. Create a To-Do List and check each small task that you will complete. You will feel motivated each time you finish one task and have the energy to get done the others.
4. Get Rid of Distractions – it is hard to stay focused if there are many things that can distract you from your work. Before you start, get rid of the potential distractions such as phones and other gadgets, and let the others know to not disturb you for the meantime. You can also clean your working table or area. In this way, your mind will not be disturbed and can think straight and focus.
5. Reward Yourself – it is also important that you give yourself a reward for every task that you complete whether it is small or big. You can give yourself a little pat in your shoulder, give yourself a little break or treat yourself if you make a little progress. Buy your favorite snacks, drinks, or that one thing in your cart that you still haven’t checked out yet. Take a break, file a vacation and get connected with nature again.
6. Practice Self-care – always prioritise your physical, mental, and spiritual healing. No one will take care of you other than yourself. Don’t deprive yourself of a good sleep, healthy food, exercise, peace of mind and a lot of good things that you can give to yourself. Taking a break is also a good habit so you won’t feel exhausted and burned out. Have self-compassion whenever you make a mistake or if you feel so stressed because something doesn’t go according to your plan. Practice it by telling yourself that it is okay to make a mistake, and you can just do it again.
7. Seek Motivation from Others – you can also gain some motivations and inspirations from other people like your favorite idols, video content creators, speakers, or even from your friends. You can look up to their journeys, setbacks, challenges and successful stories. You may also join some forums, groups or related communities that have the same goal as you. They can give you some encouragement, positive affirmations, and self-belonging. If you are experiencing some mental health concerns, you can visit the doctor and counselors to ask for help.

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Staying motivated is one of the biggest challenges we face in our daily lives. Many factors can cause us to feel unmotivated, but there are also numerous ways to regain our focus and get back on track. Motivation plays a key role in problem-solving, achieving goals, and creating positive change—whether it’s breaking old habits or starting new ones. When you feel lost, revisit your "why" and check in with your SMART goals. Remember, self-care is essential. Maintaining a healthy mind and body is critical for a positive outlook and sustained motivation. Take breaks, reward yourself, and don’t hesitate to seek help, especially if you’re struggling with mental health concerns

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