All right, all right, enough about the elephant in the room: we’re all quarantining safely in our households, and we know that means you’ve probably had a dip in motivation. When everything is so unsure, how can you be sure to stay at the top of your game?
I’ll cut to the chase. You may not be able to stay at the top of your game, and that’s expected! What you can do (and you can control—thanks again, Charisse!), is find small ways to stay motivated through the work week.
Here’s how I’ve been doing it.
Make Lists
This is one habit that I’ve carried over from the pre-quarantine days. Every day, I make a list of all the items I’m going to do that day; and I do mean all. I put in things from checking email to completing projects, but I also include the other important things like walking my dog, making a healthy lunch, and reading for twenty minutes. The balance of work and home activities makes my days more well-rounded.
Have Individual Challenges
This is relatively new for me. I try to make sure I’m doing at least one project for my team once a week. It’s something I put on myself, so it doesn’t necessarily have to be tough or time-consuming. These challenges are things I’ve been thinking about during regular work hours, but never had time to pursue. Doing something new and researching a fresh topic keeps my days from going stale.
Keep It Positive
I don’t know if I’m especially proud of this fact, but I’ve been getting very into motivational, spiritual, and positive posts lately. I know people who have sticky notes surrounding their work computer with feel-good messages, and I never thought I would be one of those people, but here we are! Follow accounts that are using these positive messages, and whenever you feel down or stifled, take a moment to feel grateful for what you have. It helps me understand my emotions, reflect on them, and then move on to what the rest of the day holds.
What are your go-to motivational tools? I’m always open to new tactics!