How To Motivate Yourself: 6 Easy Tips

We've all been there. You have a lot to do, or a big task you have to start. But you don't actually get up to go do them. You tell yourself you will in a minute, after one more chapter or game of solitare, but you're just lying to yourself. You're going to keep sitting there until you suddenly realize that if you don't start now, you'll never finish before bed.

The problem is you're lacking the motivation to tackle whatever you have before you. It's either daunting or you don't know where to start or something along those lines. Believe me, I know all about this. I've had plenty of practice doing this myself. Which is exactly why I decided to share my tips and tricks for self-motivation. Shall we begin?

Tip 1: Prioritize

I've had days when I just want to sit down and not do anything because I have so much on my plate. Music, writing, a blog, a YouTube channel, drawing, exercise, actually have time to take a break. It feels so overwhelming that I don't want to do any of it, even though I know I should.

The thing that helps most is to figure out your priorities on that day. Is finishing your editing most important? Practicing for your recital? Editing a video? Figure out your most important thing and do that first. A good way to make sure you get done the important stuff is to write down everything you have to do in order of importance. So most important at the top, least at the bottom. Then work your way down the list.

Also, if you do a lot of things, like I do, it can help to divide days into different focuses. Like on Monday through Wednesday you focus on writing, on Thursday through Saturday you focus on YouTube. You don't have to not do anything else those days, but what you focus on that day is your priority. It just helps you to get done things and not have to worry about anything else.

Tip 2: Break it down

Big tasks can be daunting. There's so much to do that you don't know where to start. So to help you get through it, and not procrastinate instead, break it down into smaller tasks. What little parts go into making the bigger task?

For example, you need to write a blog post. Parts of that include coming up with an idea, drafting it, creating a post header image, revising the post, publishing it, and promoting in on social media. Tackle it one thing at a time and you'll be done it in no time.

If it's something you'll do often, it's often easier to motivate yourself to get it done if you have a mental checklist. Work out the quickest or easiest way for you to accomplish something, and then use that every time you have to do the task. Taking our blog post example, I draft all my posts at the beginning of the month so I don't have to worry about that later on. It helps me get it done easier.

Tip 3: Trick yourself

Don't you love tricking your own brain into doing something? It's like having a covert operation inside a computer that knows everything already. Okay, that sounded weird. My point is, sometimes you can trick yourself into doing things without thinking about them.

The best way to motivate yourself is to trick yourself into doing whatever your next task is immediately. As soon as you think about it, get up and go start it before your brain can talk you out of it, or make excuses about why you can't. Do it before you can actually think about it and you'll be done in no time. 

Tip 4: Reward yourself

Like tricking yourself, bribing yourself also works well. It's super easy. Just think of something to reward yourself after you finish whatever task you're on right now. If it's something small, like writing a blog post, fifteen minutes of reading time or a game of solitaire is good. For something bigger, like editing five chapters, reward yourself with a movie break or something sweet.

Rewards are also good if you need help sticking to deadlines. Accomplishing your goal in time is so much better if you have something to reward yourself at the end. It doesn't even have to be something big. A Starbucks drink or a new tee shirt will do. It helps give you motivation to finish and claim your prize.

Tip 5: Work in small chunks

I don't know about you, but my attention span is fairly short, especially if I'm working on something hard or that is frustrating me. What helps motivate you when you're feeling this way is to work on your project in little pieces.

There are two ways you can do this. The first is to do little pieces of the task at a time. Like if you're working on editing five chapters, tell yourself you'll do one chapter at a time, then take a five minute break to do something like read, play a game, or check Instagram. Then come back, do another chapter, and take another five minute break.

The second way is the time method. Set a time for however long you want to work, fifteen minutes to half an hour is good, and while the time is going, work on your project as hard as you can. It's like a word sprint for your work. When time is up, give yourself between five and ten minutes for a break, depending on how long you worked. Then go back to your project and do it again until it's done. It helps motivate you to break it up because it seems  more manageable that way.

Tip 6: Find ways to boost your motivation

It's hard to be motivated if you don't surround yourself with things that enhance that. How can you work at your desk if it's a complete mess? How can you write your story if you don't know how your characters look? Finding ways to help motivate yourself through the things you surround yourself with, or use, can go a long ways towards getting things done.

Figure out what helps motivate you towards getting things done. Personally, I need a distraction free space to work. If there's too much that could distract me (like my latest read or phone) I won't get much don't. Or for writing, what about Pinterest boards or a novel soundtrack? Getting a cool background on your computer that inspires you? Your favorite music?

It might seem weird that having pretty things or motivational things helps you get things done better, but it works. Why do you think writers collect notebooks, pencils, and pens? Having a pretty pen to write with makes it easier, somehow.

Bonus tip: Don't multitask

Multitasking is actually less productive than it seems. It splits up your attention and makes it hard to work on your projects. Instead of trying to do three things at once, focus on them one at at a time and you'll get done much faster.

There are exceptions to this, of course. Like if you're baking something, you obviously can go do something else, not sit and stare at the oven for ten minutes while the cookies bake. Or if you need a break from something hard by doing something else for a bit. But try to avoid multitasking if you can.

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There are your six tips. This time of year is a perfect time to apply them, since it's almost 2018! (Can you believe we only have less than twenty-five days left this year? Panic time.)

Let's talk! How do you motivate yourself? Do you have any tips or tricks you'd like to share? Tell me in the comments.