We all have been there, haven’t we? Feeling in a complete slump when we have to get things done or just generally feeling down and not being able to be as productive as we want to be? I totally feel you. As a college student during the summer, I have felt such a drain in motivation because I have a lot to get done but also SOOO much time. This is the first summer where I am actually fulfilling work that I want to be doing and not studying for the SATS or college applications. But why is it that this happens sometimes?
- We don’t understand how to manage our time
I’m not going to lie. I struggled to develop a routine for myself because, sometimes, I just didn’t want to do things like meditate first thing when I woke up or journal.
But what I realized from this experience is that, Firstly, I have to start learning how to be consistent with whatever habits I am doing. Secondly, discipline becomes infinitely easier with this simple rule. So let’s get into the technique.
2. DAILY and WEEKLY planning
Daily and weekly planning has single-handedly saved me so much time and effort from procrastinating and feeling a lack of purpose when doing my work. So essentially, this is what you do: For weekly planning, on Sundays, I create a list of goals and tasks I want to accomplish the following week.
This helps me organize my thoughts for what I urgently need to get done that week, setting the foundation for my week so that I don’t get stressed thinking about everything I need to do every day. Instead, I can take on each task day by day.
Then, every single day, I engage in daily planning. After completing my morning routine, which consists of healthy habits such as meditation and journaling, I move on to daily planning. In my daily planning journal, I time block the tasks that I need to get done.
I tend to overestimate how much time it will take to do tasks, because as humans, we aren’t very good at gauging how long it takes us to do things. By overestimating, it gives me more time to move on to the next task and get that done effectively. By blocking my daily plans, I am able to get sooo much work done despite a lack of motivation because by writing down and setting time for each task, it forces me to complete it.
- Start exercising
The best thing I did to boost my productivity and motivation is literally just exercising. I started lifting weights two months ago, and it has done wonders for my mental health and productivity. However, exercise doesn’t have to involve hitting the gym. It can be as simple as going on daily walks or practicing yoga every day.
Essentially, doing anything to get your body moving will get your brain working faster. You’ll notice that you have more energy throughout the day and can concentrate for longer periods of time, as your brain won’t be as fogged up by fatigue.
I’ve observed that when I stop exercising, I feel fatigued and usually lack the motivation to do anything but watch YouTube. So, get your body moving and reap the benefits!
4. Schedule something you are looking forward to!
I find it very challenging to stay focused on work without the prospect of a reward. While maintaining discipline and keeping the end goal in mind is essential for achieving success, incorporating sustainable daily rewards is equally crucial for protecting my mental health and sustaining motivation to accomplish my goals.
To strike a balance, I schedule rewards between my work sessions, preventing myself from slipping into a constant “zombie state” of work and allowing me to refuel as I progress.
During the summer, with more time available, I enjoy scheduling facetime calls with friends in between work. This not only serves as a stress reliever but also leaves me feeling happier, which in turn motivates me to continue being productive.
It’s essential not to shy away from planning enjoyable activities, as we’re not robots solely meant for work. We are multifaceted individuals with various hobbies and needs.
If not for calling, during break times, you can pursue your favorite hobbies like art or exercise. I recommend avoiding activities that drain a lot of energy, such as binge-watching Netflix shows, during work sessions, as this can lead to feelings of lethargy and decreased motivation.
By finding the right balance and incorporating rewards strategically, we can maintain motivation, improve productivity, and preserve our overall well-being.
- Take care of your mental health
Frequently, a lack of motivation to accomplish tasks can be an indication of poor mental health. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritize your mental well-being before striving to tackle an extensive workload.
Recognize that you cannot achieve optimal efficiency with your work if you are not feeling mentally well. By placing your well-being first, everything else you aim to accomplish will naturally follow suit.
As a college student, finding time to care for ourselves can be challenging. Developing routines that prioritize mental health is essential in this regard.
I have written a blog post detailing the best morning routine to promote good mental health throughout the day, which you can check out. Remember, taking care of your mental well-being is the foundation for greater productivity and success in all aspects of life.
Loved the article! Keep up the great work!