Motivation is the key ingredient to moving forward in any business. Without motivation everything seems harder and takes longer to complete. Knowing what motivates you is the difference between rocketing forward and crawling at a snail’s pace through a daily to-do list.
People are motivated by different things and what may work for a friend may not be what works for you. If you don’t have a well defined idea of what motivates you you’ll be stuck.
Find Your To-Do Motivation
- Music – While music can be a distraction for some, others gain energy from the emotions that certain music causes in them. For most, light background music with no vocals works the best like jazz or classical. Others however seem to listen to country or rock to get them in the mood to do their best. One does not have to listen to music while they work to feel motivation. Try taking a 15 minute break and listening to your favorite playlist, cd or radio station to get you up and going for your next task.
- Segmenting – Segmenting your workload can be a relief for an overworked, overwhelmed mind. When there are too many tasks that all seem important, try to pick one task set and that is your next goal for an hour or two. Make a promise to do only that task for the allotted time. Set a timer or reminder for the chosen time allotment and see where you are at the end before making the decision on what to do next.
- Food – Food can be a great motivator and get your brain in the right mindset. The added dopamine boost helps to lift your spirits as well. Some use coffee for this reason but a green tea or even a bite of dark chocolate does the trick for many business owners. If you are watching your weight, this may not be the best choice, however healthy snacks in a small amount can create a ritual that rewards your brain with accomplishment when the task is finished and a special treat can be the magic wand for an avoidant personality.
- Exercise – For many of us that are stuck in front of the computer for hours on end, exercise can be the cure for a lethargic brain. I don’t think I need to reiterate all the benefits of exercise here as it is fairly common knowledge but if you can step out of your office for 10 minutes and get your body moving, sitting down to relax into some work can come more easily after your body has been in motion and your metabolism kicks into a higher gear.
- Building on Your Dreams – Giving yourself a reminder of your WHY and what you are working so hard for is often overlooked and is a powerful motivator. Whether it’s your children, a new car or world peace, each person has a dream of what would bring more happiness into their lives. Taking a few minutes to search for inspiring images or solidifying the action steps to bring you closer to accomplishing a big milestone can do wonders to boost motivation; after all, that is exactly why people work so hard right?
This list of potential motivators to move your to-do list to done is endless. The ones listed above how help my clients.
For me a 20-minute power nap and a cup of my favorite flavored coffee in the afternoon does the trick most days. What motivates you?
