Productivity Hacks For When You’re In a Slump
With the state of the world these days, it can be hard to get out of bed in the morning, much less feel motivated to complete your list of tasks.
Still, getting started is often the hardest part, and there are a lot of tools to stay motivated when you’re procrastinating.
Here are a few:
1) Break It Down:
The brain resists overwhelming tasks. If something feels too daunting, it will do its best to stay away from it until it feels like there’s enough time and enough energy to conquer it. Instead, break your to-do list into micro-tasks. Rather than having “write History paper” on your to-do list, make it “open doc,” “write intro,” “create three main ideas.” Small wins create momentum!
2) Try the 10-Minute Rule:
Try a task for 10 minutes and get as far as you can. For example, set a timer and clean as much of your kitchen as possible. You can also try grouping similar tasks together - rather than splitting tasks apart. Create a route for your day that helps you check boxes, like getting gas, getting a car wash, and picking up your medicine on the same trip.
3) Time Blocking:
Structure your day with short, focused blocks of time like 25 minutes of work, 5 minutes of a break. This is called the Pomodoro Technique. It can also be helpful to focus your energy for a specific task as many tasks as you can during this time.
Did you already get started but need motivation to keep going? Try the following:
1) Change your environment:
A cluttered or noisy space can feel so draining; try working in a new location, putting on a positive playlist, or sitting with bright light to improve your attention. Know yourself and be aware that large windows could be distracting, too!
2) Reward yourself:
Dopamine, the brain’s motivation chemical, responds to rewards. Give yourself a treat or break after completing a task! You deserve this!! You got one step closer, and that’s a big deal!
When to Think of Therapy:
Exhaustion and procrastination happen to everyone, and they’re more than likely to occur every so often. But are they happening more than you’d like? Getting in the way of your daily life? Low motivation can also be a sign of burnout, depression, or ADHD. If it’s ongoing, it’s worth checking in with a therapist. At Herr-Era, we’re ready to help! It may be a sign that it’s time to do something differently, rather than do something more, about how you’re feeling.