How to be Productive when you have No Motivation

We’ve all been there. Those days when you wake up with no motivation whatsoever. You can’t seem to tackle your to-do list and the thought of being productive is suddenly very daunting. Whether it’s work, school, life admin or side hustles, there are times when motivation seems to vanish into thin air.

But don’t worry!

Productivity is still within your reach even when motivation is nowhere to be found. In this blog post, we will explore strategies and actionable tips on how to be productive when you have no motivation.

Start by Taking a Break

When you wake up feeling completely unmotivated, the first step is to acknowledge it. So many people beat themselves up when they lose motivation and then they think they should just push through it and start the work. This inevitably leads to a very long and painful day where you still get nothing done.

Remember that motivation is not a static thing. You will have times when you are super motivated to take on the world but you will also have days where staying in bed sounds like the best option.

Accepting this variability in motivation and not blaming yourself for it is an essential skill to develop.

So when you wake up with no motivation, don’t try to power through it straight away. Take a short break to clear your mind.

Step away from your workspace, go for a walk, or do a quick breathing exercise. Take some time out to reset your system and clear you mind of any other stresses. This can help you prepare your mindset and feel a little more equipped to tackle the tasks ahead.

Go to where your task is

A lot of the time, when you are unmotivated, it is the thought of starting the task that is making you procrastinate. Just like writing, starting is often the hardest part.

I have struggled with this for many years. The only way I have found to get around it is by physically going to where the task is. So if you don’t want to check your emails then simply start by opening your laptop. If you are procrastinating putting the laundry away into your wardrobe, go to your bedroom.

I find that once you are there, in front of the task, it suddenly does not seem as daunting. And even if this just gets you to work for 5 minutes, then that is 5 minutes more than you thought you could do.

Whenever I use this method, once I get in front of my laptop I realise that I was worrying and procrastinating over nothing and before I know it I have quite happily done all the work I had been putting off.

Start with Small Tasks

One of the most effective ways to kickstart productivity on low motivation days is to begin with small, manageable tasks. These tasks serve as a warm-up and can give you that “little win” you need to boost your motivation and tackle bigger tasks.

Often productivity is as simple as building momentum. When you have got nothing done, everything seems impossible. But once you have completed one small thing, suddenly you feel like some other tasks may be doable.

Completing some smaller tasks can give you a sense of accomplishment which can trigger a more productive mindset for tackling larger tasks later. I often start work by filling out my weekly and daily planner. This only takes 5 minutes but gives me the boost I need to continue working.

Set Clear and Achievable Goals

Lack of motivation can often stem from feeling overwhelmed by having too many tasks to do. Either you know everything you want to get done in your head, or you have written a to-do list that is as long as your arm! Either way, this can feel very daunting, and make completing any of your tasks feel impossible.

Combat this by breaking your tasks into smaller, clear goals. When you can see a specific target, it’s easier to focus your efforts and stay on track.

Make sure the goals you set are achievable for the day so you do not get disheartened when you cannot complete something.

Breaking down your to-do list into smaller goals also means that you can tick off your goals as you complete them. Which gives a great feeling of satisfaction which can be a powerful motivator in itself.

Use the Two-Minute Rule

Author of “Getting things Done”, David Allen popularized the “Two-Minute Rule,” which suggests that if a task can be completed in two minutes or less, you should do it immediately.

I love this rule as I am a master procrastinator when it comes to small, household chores. When I want to leave the ironing on my floor instead of putting it in the wardrobe, I remind myself that it will only take 2 minutes. This then prevents me from having a massive pile on my floor in a few days time.

This rule is also great when you don’t want to check your emails, clean the dishes or tidy your desk.

This simple rule helps you get all of those minor jobs done and prevents small tasks from piling up and becoming overwhelming. This will also help you maintain a sense of control and boost your productivity.

Eliminate Distractions

Distractions are the quickest way to kill your productivity. There is no way you can get into the groove of working and start smashing your daily goals if you are being distracted by something every few minutes.

Unfortunately, it seems like modern life provides nothing but distractions. The biggest one being those pesky smartphones. I am certainly guilty of losing lots of work time to the endless scroll of social media. If you want to stay productive I would highly recommend setting some no-phone times during the day so you can actually focus on working.

You could leave your phone in another room, give it to a colleague or family member for safe keeping, or even buy a timed lockbox to keep yourself from being tempted.

Eliminating as many distractions as possible should significantly help your productivity and you may even be surprised by the amount of work you can accomplish.

Remember Your Why

Sometimes, a lack of motivation is a result of not remembering why a task is important. Take a moment to remind yourself of the bigger picture. Why are you doing this task? What long-term benefits will it bring? Understanding the purpose can reignite your motivation to push through.

One of the best ways I have found to regain some motivating is remembering my “why?”. What made you start this job or business? Who are you doing this for? What are your goals?

If you have forgotten your “why?” you may be feeling unmotivated, unproductive and like your work has become monotonous or even pointless.

Make sure to regularly remind yourself why you are doing this and how great you will feel once it is accomplished.

Obviously, this method is a little less motivational when the task you are trying to do is filling the dishwasher!

Use the Pomodoro Technique

The Pomodoro Technique can be a great way of being productive, when you don’t feel motivated and when you don’t want to overtax yourself.

It involves working in short, focused bursts of 25 minutes followed by a 5 minute break. You do this for four cycles and then take a longer break. This method can make work feel less overwhelming and increase your productivity by leveraging the power of time management.

Throughout education I would always just work for hours and hours and then crash. This is not a very sustainable method of working and is definitely not doable when you have no motivation.

By cutting your work time into manageable chunks, you are much more likely to focus and get work done. It will also feel much less overwhelming so you will be less likely to procrastinate.

Create Accountability

It can be very easy to put off tasks when no-one knows that you were planning to do them. Sharing your goals with a friend, colleague, or mentor can help hold you accountable, making you more likely to complete them.

As a business owner, I often use this method, as I have no boss and no-one who would be disappointed or impacted if I didn’t get some work done.

Knowing that someone is aware of your tasks can propel you to stay on track, even when you’re lacking motivation.

Of course, you should always work for yourself and never try to do something just to please others. But when you have no motivation, sometimes having someone who can hold you accountable is just what you need to get started.

Choose a Reward for When You Are Finished

Create a reward system for completing tasks or reaching milestones. Treat yourself to something enjoyable after a productive session, like a favourite snack, a short walk, or a few minutes of relaxation. Rewards can make productivity feel much more appealing.

Now, I’m not saying you should give yourself a gold star sticker every time you do something good, but sometimes knowing there is a little after-work pick me up waiting for you can work wonders for your motivation.

Of course, your main motivation should be reaching your goals. But, sometimes, on a day to day basis it is hard to stay motivated when those goals could be months or even years into the future.

Having a small reward system in place can break the monotony of the day and give you that little boost of motivation you need to kick your productivity into gear.

I often reward myself with an episode of my favourite show after a good day of work. Whatever you choose as your reward, make sure it is something that can get you working even on your most unmotivated days.

Conclusion

Being productive when you have no motivation is a challenge, but it’s not impossible. By implementing these strategies, you can overcome that procrastination and low motivation and make meaningful progress on your tasks.

Remember, motivation is always going to come and go, we are only human after all. But discipline and a well-structured approach can help you stay on track and achieve your goals. Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll be well on your way to boosting your productivity even on those tough, unmotivated days.