Feel like giving up?
5 ways to help you stay motivated even when you want to quit
If you’re feeling out of your element right now, you’re not alone.
Maybe your energy levels are dipping, your work quality is decreasing, or you feel really
tense?
This isn’t you being lazy or dramatic, but instead a physiological response to the amount
of mental pressure you're dealing with.
Small business owners report that managing their business is 4 times more stressful than
raising their children, with 41% reporting business as their main personal stressor and
only 9% choosing children.
(Bank of America)
As stressful as it is to be an entrepreneur, it is even more nerve-racking than ever during
times like these.
Things are unpredictable, ever-changing, and we have no foreseeable ETA for when life will
get back to normal, or even what the new normal will be.
This is a time of uncertainty and our brains truly hate uncertainty.
Recent research about acute stress responses in humans shows that not knowing what’s
going to happen is much more taxing than knowing the end result is going to be bad.
So right now, it's more important than ever to give yourself some love and care.
Start by honing a daily routine.
1.
Daily routine
Routines restore a sense of control and are really good for your health.
When dealing with uncertainty, it’s understandable to seek comfort and familiarity.
Being under a lot of pressure can make you turn to junk food or set new records in binge-watching
your favorite shows, and that’s understandable.
But did you know this time is a great opportunity to establish and follow a routine consisting
of healthy habits?
Research, conducted by the University of Southern California, found that under pressure you’re
likely to rely not only on bad habits but the good ones too.
This is why it’s important to create a familiar and comfortable routine that’s healthy and
beneficial for you.
Let’s just say that not only does a good routine benefit you long term, but sticking
to one significantly reduces stress as it makes life feel more predictable and “under
control”.
2.
Work SMART
Sometimes, though, we can end up filling our agenda with unnecessary tasks that take up
our dear time and headspace while not bringing any benefits at all.
Try out SMART goal setting, to weed out any liable tasks and optimize your daily workload.
This will also keep you from experiencing burnout and extra stress.
SMART goal setting is a planning process that measures five individual criteria.
Specific—avoid vague statements, such as “I want to have a ton of followers on Instagram”.
Instead, focus on an aspect of your goal that you know is going to help gain followers.
For example, “I want to consistently post on Instagram for a month”.
You can’t control how many people follow you, but you can certainly do your best to
increase the chance of them noticing and liking you.
Without a clear goal, you’ll never feel like you're getting ahead.
Measurable—you need to be able to determine, without question, whether or not you are successful
in achieving your goal.
To do this, you need to create a way to measure your progress and your end result.
For example, if you want to gain followers, make a goal to post on Instagram every day
for a whole month.
Attainable—make sure that the goal is challenging, but don’t try to take over the world in
one night.
Relevant—it should be relevant to your market and client base.
If it isn’t, don’t do it.
Time-Based—give yourself a deadline.
Business goals can't be open-ended.
A time limit can also create an urgency that will motivate you.
Don’t push for a goal without a deadline in hopes that you might get there “someday”.
Check out our productivity series for some in-depth tips and tricks for work and life.
3.
Celebrate small victories
We like to think that we'll celebrate when we finally get to the finish line, and it
makes sense to expect that.
But the truth is, it’s never a straight line to victory.
You'll encounter a fair share of obstacles and challenges along the way.
Taking time to celebrate small victories—for example, answering 10 customer emails, even
when there are 100 more waiting.
That means you're making progress.
It’s the small victories that add up to huge champagne bottle-popping wins.
When you take time to appreciate your small wins, you remind yourself that you are on
the right path.
4.
Unplug
Constant pings and pleas for attention from your phone and computer — are just some
of the many distractions caused by the internet and technology.
Long-term increased distractions lead to a chemical imbalance in the brain, which results
in fatigue and anxiety, and keeps us from being our most productive selves.
Some more health problems caused by the overuse of gadgets are stress, sleeping disorders,
and depression.
So make sure to put your phone on silent mode, turn off your computer, and spend some quiet,
technology-free time every evening after work and on your free days.
Here are some benefits of unplugging: * Reduced stress—the less stimuli you have
during your “off” time, the more calm and rested you're going to feel.
* Physical health—sitting by the desk and staring at the screen all day is the new smoking.
Make sure to take regular breaks every 2 hours and put away your phone after work.
Take up walking, jogging, or biking and your body will thank you!
* Being present—when your workday is over, you can spend uninterrupted time doing what
you love or spend time with your loved ones.
5.
Replenish and recharge When stress and lack of motivation persists,
it can take a toll on your health and well-being.
While it’s necessary to take action when feeling unmotivated, it’s just as important
to just sit with the feeling sometimes.
Know that it’s completely normal to feel that way.
There are a lot of feelings going around, and there’s a good chance you’re having
a really hard time right now.
Here are some things you can do to manage your stress levels:
* Keep a journal—record your daily thoughts and vent in the journal if necessary.
Taking notes can help you work through some difficulties as well as find out what your
main stressors are.
* Start healthy coping habits—instead of going for fast food and alcohol, pick up a
light exercise routine, like walking or yoga, or try out some new hobbies.
* Set boundaries—it’s easy to feel pressure to be available 24 hours a day.
Establish some boundaries for your work and set certain working hours.
* Take time to recharge—good quality sleep is important to manage the negative effects
of stress and burnout.
We aren’t designed to work endlessly without rest and relaxation.
An active mind gets tired just like an active body.
You need to recharge your batteries in order to stay energized and motivated, so don’t
feel bad about taking time for yourself.
--- How do you stay motivated when times get tough?
Let us know how you’re feeling and doing in the comments below.