You’re reading 7 Ways to Get Things Done When You “Don’t Feel Like It”, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

You know that feeling you get when you start a new workout plan, or you start building a side business?

The excitement, drive, and motivation!

It makes waking up early easier, working late tolerable and excuses hard to justify.

Then a few weeks go by…

And the harsh reality sets in.

All of a sudden, you don’t “feel like it” as much as you did before. You still want the results, but you’ve lost the desire to get started with the work.

This is normal, and it happens to everyone.

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to make it better.

1. Handle the Worst Things First

According to the research, willpower is a limited resource.

Imagine you have a daily budget of willpower. Each challenging task, whether mental or physical, requires you to use a bit of willpower.

You slowly spend your daily budget of willpower as you go about your day.

As a result, our willpower is strongest in the morning and weakest at night. (Ask yourself: do I make better decisions in the morning or at night?)

This is why you want to handle the worst tasks first while your willpower is strong. Putting off that email you’re ignoring or firing that client you don’t like is only going to get more difficult as the day goes on.

Instead, you can handle it while you’ve got willpower on your side. Plus, you’ll also build momentum that carries forward throughout the rest of your day.

2. Leverage Your Energy at the Right Time(s)

We have a tendency to romanticize the idea of being a morning person as if that is the secret to success.

In reality, you have to figure out what times work best for you.

I can get the most work done in the early morning and late evening. My energy levels (towards work, that is) are sluggish in the afternoon.

Maybe you don’t get much done in the morning, but you blast through work from 1-5 pm. Instead of trying to change what naturally works for you, why not use this knowledge to your advantage?

Schedule your high-value tasks for the time of day you are most productive. Then handle low-value tasks in the hours when you are coasting.

In other words, try to get the most work done in the times where you do feel like it, and schedule lower-priority objectives for the times when you don’t.

3. Use the Pomodoro Technique

The Pomodoro Technique is a productivity method created by Francesco Cirilio that’s intended to help you get more done in less time.

Here’s how it works:

1. Choose one task to work on
2. Set a timer and work with zero distractions for 25 minutes
3. After the timer goes off, take a break for 5 minutes and then start again
4. After four pomodoros (25 minutes of focused work) take a longer break of 15-20 minutes

The Pomodoro Technique is perfect for the times you aren’t in the mood to work because you know you only have to commit to 25 minutes of focused work at a time. Knowing that you’ll get a break quickly makes it easier to get started.

The best part is how much momentum this technique builds and how quickly it ramps up your motivation!

4. Cut Off Social Media

Humans have always found ways to waste time. Social media is our preference in the modern age.

However, social media is more than a distraction — it’s an addiction. In fact, research shows that Facebook addiction activates the same areas of the brain as drugs. (Source)

Unless you record yourself throughout the day, you probably don’t realize how much time you waste with social media. Think about how many times you open Instagram or Snapchat throughout the day.

Each time you check your social media you are throwing your mind out of flow with what you need to accomplish. (Unless your job requires you to use social media.)

The best solution I’ve found is to turn off ALL notifications from social media apps and only check social media at certain times of the day.

As fun as social media is, it doesn’t bring the same satisfaction as getting things done!

5. Incentivize Yourself

It’s funny how motivated you get when there’s money on the line.

Sometimes all we need is a little incentive.

There’s a company, stickK, that’s 100% free and allows you to bet money against yourself and be held accountable. You set a goal to bet on, pick an amount of money to bet, and then select a referee to approve or decline your bet based on whether you stuck to your goal or not.

What makes it interesting is how you can set the stakes. For example, many people choose to have their money donated to a charity they despise or to a person they don’t like. In other words, they give themselves a convincing reason not to fail.

Another tactic for this strategy of incentivizing yourself is creating a competition with a friend or family member – a method I have personally used many times successfully.

I don’t know about you, but for me, I would rather win bragging rights from a friend than take their money. That said, when they’re willing to put both on the line, I’m more than happy to take both.

6. Force Yourself to Get Started

Motivation comes and goes.

Sometimes motivation finds you and other times you have to seek it out.

The mistake too many make is thinking you are supposed to be motivated before you start working.

Unfortunately, this won’t always be the case — but it’s ok because you don’t need it.

All you need to do is get started, and the motivation will come to you.

If you can just hang in for 10 to 20 minutes, you’ll reach a flow state and find your motivation.

The only time this doesn’t work is when there’s something bigger going on…

7. Check Your Health

Burnout is real, and you want to avoid it.

If you’re experiencing prolonged lack of motivation, there might be some underlying health issues.

Are you getting enough sleep?

Are you eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly?

Are you staying hydrated?

Sure, these are common sense, but I have a tendency to get caught up in the hustle and forget to eat. Perhaps you’re skipping something that’s important for your health.

Remember, health is number one. There’s nothing more important than your health.

You’ll do your best work when you’re performing at your best.

When your body and mind are prepared to perform, you’ll be surprised how often you “feel like” getting things done!

———
KW Stout is the author of Health Mind Power — a website dedicated to improving your life through habits and your daily routine. You can download the FREE eBook, 99 Habits For Those Who Want it All, at his website!

You’ve read 7 Ways to Get Things Done When You “Don’t Feel Like It”, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

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You’re reading Hundreds of Friends, No Friendships; A Call For A Social Media Sabbatical, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

A friend is a single soul dwelling in two bodies

– Aristotle.

It is an empowering feeling when we make a deep and meaningful connection with another person- someone whom you recognize as part of your tribe. There is an almost instantaneous mutual understanding; we can confide in these people, and trust them with most intimate details of our lives. These are the people we can truly relax and be ourselves around, who understand and accept us for who we are- the people we turn to during our darkest days, and the first ones we call on to raise a glass with during our greatest accomplishments. These are the people who inspire us to be the very best version of ourselves; we laugh together, cry together, live as one.

A single soul, dwelling in two bodies.

In today’s social media driven world, our ability to form meaningful and lasting relationships with people is deteriorating. Is social media actually healthy for society? Is it beneficial for young people to use social media? I’m not so sure.

Some time ago I took the decision to delete my online social media accounts, and I received some interesting reactions from certain people in my social circle. Some were shocked, others concerned. People actually thought there was something wrong with me. Maybe I was depressed or sick, or I was just being weird. Others congratulated me as if it was a feat of great strength, saying how they would never be able to do it.

There are many reasons why I decided to break free from the shackles of social media, but mostly, I found it to be detrimental to my relationships and my general well-being, while bringing on unnecessary anxiety, peer pressure and stress. Not to mention, it was a huge waste of time.

The depth of information that people share nowadays is vast and although a lot of it is useless, harmless, cringe worthy nonsense, sometimes you come across posts that can be harmful, disturbing and/or intrusive.

Old classmates, childhood friends, old girlfriends, distant relatives, even complete strangers, make up some of the many hundreds of ‘friends’ in our network. Through social media you know absolutely everything about these people; you’ve been inside their home without ever stepping foot inside the door, you’ve been to their wedding without an invitation, you’ve gone with them on holiday, you’ve watched their children grow, you’ve seen them at concerts that you haven’t been to, you’ve met their new boyfriend or girlfriend, you share in their problems, apprehensions, successes and failures.

You’ve shared in these peoples most intimate moments and you’ve seen them at their most vulnerable, you’ve voyaged with them through important stages of their lives, and yet, if you saw them on the street would you even stop to say hello?

Some of the most memorable moments in life come from meeting new people and making new friends, but social networks are holding us back significantly in this regard. They create a barrier when we meet new people. Instead of starting a conversation with someone, we would rather look for their profile online and message them. How often have you gone to a party, or gone out for coffee or drinks with friends, and you see everyone immersed in their smartphones, rather than enjoying each other’s company. These websites restrict creativity and encourage procrastination, and can even be damaging to one’s confidence and general happiness. These social network sites are, by their very nature, grossly antisocial.

One can only stand to benefit from if not separating themselves, then at least distancing themselves from social media, thus improving all aspects of their lives; physical and mental health, happiness, relationships, work, studies and everything else in between.

Shut down your laptop, turn off your tablet, put your phone away, and get out there! Say hello to a stranger. Ask that crush out for coffee. Try something new- step outside your comfort zone,. Love and cherish your family and friends and let them know daily how much you appreciate them. Strengthen and nurture your relationships, and take the first steps towards building some new ones.

Patrick Hyland documents his journey of self-discovery in The Irish Introvert, a self-development website which was created to help inspire, motivate and educate, through the sharing of significant experiences, and reflections upon life defining moments. He writes as a means of providing an outlet for his inner world.

You can follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

You’ve read Hundreds of Friends, No Friendships; A Call For A Social Media Sabbatical, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

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You’re reading Desperate For Some Life-Changing Advice? Start With These 4 Key Habits, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

Life hacks are great for saving time, energy, and impressing your friends. But when it comes to making your life a truly happy and successful one, nothing beats a bulletproof set of habits.

There are actually certain habits and behaviors that make your goals easier to achieve, regardless of the obstacles you face. Most of you may already practice some of these habits without even knowing it.

Whatever the case, learning how to harness them can dramatically improve your mind, body, performance, and personal life. And by the way, becoming ridiculously awesome is a common side effect.

I’m talking about keystone habits, and yes, they’re as life-changing as I’m making them sound.

What are keystone habits?

Charles Duhigg discusses the idea of keystone habits in his book The Power of Habit. Since then, everyone from James Clear to S.J. Scott has adopted them as a cornerstone in their knowledge base.

Keystone habits are essentially routines that, when practiced regularly, enhance your performance in a vast array of other areas of your life. These habits have a tendency to start a positive chain reaction that can snowball you to success.

I don’t know about you, but on days when I hit the gym, I feel much better and am infinitely more productive. I turn into a superhuman version of myself. That’s why exercise is one of the habits I’ve listed below.

Here’s my version of the 4 keystone habits you need to start incorporating into your life today.

1. Exercise

 I already mentioned this above, so I’ll keep it rather brief here.

Everyone knows that exercise is good for you. Everything that you do is directly related to how well your body and mind are capable of performing. And all that starts with keeping your body in-tune.

Exercise, especially when combined with a healthy diet (#2 below) will keep you feeling young, energetic, and more confident with yourself. You’ll find your days are much more enjoyable and productive when you get a good sweat session in.

2. Diet

Normally, diet is the more important aspect of healthier living. It usually gives more bang for your buck if strapped for motivation and having to choose between the two.

However, recently I’ve been telling people to start with exercise. Reason being when you exercise, you want to start eating healthier. That’s like a keystone habit, that leads to another keystone habit. Mind. Blown.

When you start eating better, just like exercise, you feel better, you’re happier, you’re more productive, and you start to look better, too. If you do couple exercise and diet together, watch out – you might be shocked at how dramatically your life improves.

3. Good sleeping habits

I don’t think I can say this any better than my man Cody McClain already has. So here’s what Cody had to say…

We spend 1/3 of our lives sleeping, so just like everything else in our unconventional lives, we’ll eventually decide to optimize it.

Too many people view drugs, whether over-the-counter or prescription, as a kind of cure-all for sleeping or being more productive; however, my findings suggested that diet, exercise, and sleep hygiene are infinitely more important than taking a pill.

By getting better quality sleep, you can avoid things like anxiety, depression, irritability, tiredness, and being a sack of misery. Do you think sacks of misery make it far in this world? I don’t either.

4. Self-love

Last but not least, is actually the favorite of all my keystone habits. Self-love is a priority habit to me because without it, nothing else matters. If you learn to love yourself (and no, I’m not talking about that), positive energy will radiate outward into all other aspects of your life.

This habit hits home with me because it’s something I struggled with for so long. Only a few years ago, I was tirelessly beating myself up in the gym and in the mirror for not having the body of Ryan Reynolds. I’m obviously not discouraging exercise by any means, I’m only saying it’s unhealthy to hate the way you look. It’s literally a waste of time and energy.

The funny thing is, once you stop being self-conscious and embrace what you have, your confidence shines brighter than any 8-pack Ryan Reynolds has.

Wrapping things up

This is not by any means an all-inclusive list. There are plenty of other keystone habits for you to try and adopt as a part of your daily routine. Some may work for others and not for you. And vice versa. Experiment until you find the ones that click.

Of course, having this information does nothing for you unless you take massive action. If you’re looking to dramatically improve your life, I’ve given you four good places to start. Pick a habit that would be easiest for you and start practicing.

As with any new habits, take things slow, and incorporate one at a time. If you sign up for my newsletter, you’ll get all the info you need and more to be successful in forming your new habits.

Jason Gutierrez is an engineer turned entrepreneur and notorious lover of sushi. After dealing with anxiety and chronic procrastination, he now helps young professionals and other entrepreneurs achieve their goals and ideal lifestyle through better habits. Visit the monk life to start kicking ass today.

You’ve read Desperate For Some Life-Changing Advice? Start With These 4 Key Habits, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

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