When Wednesday rolls around your motivation to keep getting things done may have lessened considerably.

I know that is sometimes the case for me at least.

So in this week’s post I’d like to share the top 10 tips and habits that help me to refuel my motivation to get past that midweek hump and keep working in a focused way until Friday afternoon is here and the weekend awaits.

I hope you’ll find something here to help to make your Wednesday even better.

1. Start small (or tiny).

If a project, a task or the next step at work or in school today seems tough or daunting and you wind up procrastinating then break it down into small steps. Steps that take just 5-10 minutes each.

Then get started on that first step to start moving forward once again.

I find that doing this not only gets me out of procrastination but also refuels my motivation and makes the next few steps forward easier and more fun again.

If breaking what you are about to do into small steps still lands you in procrastination then break your task down into tiny steps. Steps that only take 1-2 minutes to complete.

And then get started with the first tiny step.

The most important thing is to just get going and to start moving forward no matter how you actually do that. So be sure to use small or tiny steps frequently to get started and to get to done.

2. Play music that boosts your energy / changes your mood.

One of the easiest ways to boost my motivation right now as I write this is to take a 10 minute break and to play a bunch of songs that are upbeat or inspire me in some way.

Such a break often helps to change my perspective to a more open and inspired one and it becomes easier to move forwards after the break is over.

3. Compete in a friendly way (with others or yourself).

One way to make things more fun even if the task itself is boring is to make completing it into a friendly competition.

If you want you can add a small price for extra motivation like the winner getting a free ice cream or a can of soda from the other person.

Or you can compete with yourself. See if you can do a task faster than the last time – while still delivering a good result – to get some motivation flowing.

4. Remind yourself of what you are working towards.

When the motivation is low during your Wednesday morning and you just want to go back to bed then it’s easy to lose sight of why you’re doing something in the first place.

So take a couple of minutes and write down your top 3 reasons for why you are doing this work at school, at your job or with your business.

Put that physical note where you cannot avoid seeing it every day or turn it into a reminder on your smartphone that pops up once a day for easy access to that motivational boost.

5. Let the motivation flow from other people.

This is perhaps the easiest and simplest one to use if you feel unmotivated.

Simply let the motivation, enthusiasm and energy of other people into your mind, day and life.

I often do that nowadays by reading a chapter or so in a book in the Kindle app on my smartphone (currently I’m reading “The Psychology of Money” by Morgan Housel, it’s a good one).

Or I watch a video by some of my favorite motivational Youtubers like Ali Abdaal, Mike Boyd or Will Tennyson.

6. Declutter and create a workspace that adds a bit more motivation.

When my work space is messy then I find that I have trouble focusing and so it’s easy to get stuck in procrastination in a lack of motivation.

If that is the case for you too then take 5 minutes right now to declutter your work space. Throw out the things that should not be there like old notes and coffee mugs. Put the things that are important back into their homes.

Then, when the work space is decluttered and in order again change your working environment a bit by adding some motivation:

• Put up a note with an inspiring quote or a photo of a loved one on your desk.
• Add a bit of greenery like a small plant if possible (this one’s maybe not for everyone but helps me to connect a little bit with nature and to relax when I work).
• Add a new and inspiring desktop wallpaper for your computer and one for your smartphone too.

7. Tap into gratitude for what you do have.

When you’re tired and in a motivational slump then in my experience it is easy to start seeing pretty much everything in your life through a negative lens. And so your motivation may stay stuck or even sink lower.

One of the quickest ways to get yourself out of that headspace is to tap into gratitude.

So I ask myself this:

What are 3 things I sometimes take for granted but can be grateful for in my life?

My answers when I asked myself this the last time were that I don’t have to go hungry, that I have a roof over my head and that I have an emergency fund if I need it.

8. Mix things up.

A rut can get you mentally stuck in negativity. So mix things up today.

Sit in a new spot when you do your work. Listen to other music or podcasts than you usually do. And go for the lunch option that feels the most new or different to you.

This simple variation can in my experience help to renew that motivation.

9. Take a 2 minute meditation break.

When my mind is overloaded and a bit tired (especially in the afternoons) then I quite often take a 2 minute meditation break to get rid of the mental clutter and inner tensions and to find a clear focus again.

Here’s how I do it:

I sit down on my comfy sofa and close my eyes. And then I just take slow belly breaths and focus 100% on the air going in and out for 2 minutes. And that’s it.

10. Just get started (and let the motivation catch up with you).

An important reminder for me is that I don’t actually have to wait for motivation to get started.

I can just get to work with what I need to do anyway. And on some days this is what simply works best to keep that consistency in my work up.

But here’s the funny thing: after I have worked for a while, after I have taken a few steps forward then things feel easier, lighter and more fun. And so the motivation to keep going, to get my task or project to done catches up with me.

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Working as a visual artist can take a lot of determination. You have to keep your ideas flowing almost constantly. Sometimes, you get into a total creative slump — the artist’s equivalent of writer’s block — and it can take days or even weeks to come out of it. If you find yourself stuck in an art rut, here are few ways to get out of it.

Explore A New Medium

One of the best ways to kick a creative slump to the curb is to dabble in a different medium. If you’re a painter, try switching to pencil drawing, take a shot at clay sculpting, or even try on glassblowing for size. You might not make a piece worth featuring in a museum, but you’ll have an opportunity to shake up your ideas and challenge your brain in a new way. Simply taking a break from your typical art style might just be enough to give your mind a reset and clear the cobwebs enough to get your creative juices flowing again.

Express Yourself

If you’re still finding yourself stuck after testing out a new art medium, shake things up even more — write a poem, turn on some music and dance your heart out, or pick up an instrument and roll through a song or two. You just might make a habit of it; even successful artists such as Ashley Longshore take a break from visual art to work on writing and even go on to become published authors as she did.

Look For Inspiration

The best place to find inspiration might be close to home. Call up a friend or a favorite client and start chatting. Page through your old portfolios or journals. Visit a local gallery or art museum. Check out an open mic or a concert. While endlessly scrolling social media art feeds might land you a flicker of inspiration now and then, you’re more likely to get lasting inspiration from something you can actually see, hear, or feel, especially if it’s coming from a source near and dear to your heart already.

Change Up Your Routine

Many times, we get into a creative slump by running our day exactly the same way, over and over again. When your routine is virtually identical from one day to the next, you may never encounter the little things that get your creative juices flowing. Try a new exercise class. Take a different route to work. Have lunch in an unfamiliar part of town. Anything you can do to shake things up may also give you a fresh perspective and begin to dislodge the creative block.

Allow Yourself To Experiment

Sometimes, the way you approach a task can affect the outcome. When you step up to your art medium, instead of going at it the same way as you always do, allow yourself the opportunity to just try a different technique. Look for new brushstrokes to try, play with light and shadow, or try completing the work upside-down. It might seem cheesy at first, but it will help you use a different part of your brain and explore your playful side a bit more, hopefully helping to reignite your creativity.

Take A Break

You will often find great relief from creative blocks simply by taking a break. Get away for a few hours, or even a weekend. There’s a reason why some of the top-performing creatives take a sabbatical sometimes. You don’t have to take an extended vacation to reap the benefits of a getaway though. Sometimes an afternoon off in nature, in a new city, or at your favorite inspiring location will refresh you and get your mind prepped for your next project. Many people also report benefits from taking this time to unplug from gadgets as well, ensuring that your time away is a break for both mind and body. While you’re away, consider getting in some physical exercise as well: a brisk walk, a quick run, or a sports game can get your blood pumping and mind clear.

Meditate Or Pray

Whether or not you’re spiritually-oriented, you’ll probably benefit from some moments of quietness and solitude. Sometimes the best thing for a burnt-out mind is just a little bit of mindfulness. Consider working in some physical movement as well; for example, go on a prayer walk, or complete a meditative yoga sequence. The mind and body are interconnected, so a bit of mindful movement may help quiet the noise of your own head and make space for fresh ideas.

Creative slumps are no fun for anyone. Fortunately, by changing things up, taking time away, connecting with inspirational sources, embracing the quiet, or moving your body, you can get your mind back in gear and overcome the hurdles holding you back. Once the creative juices are flowing again, they’ll be almost unstoppable.

*collaborative post

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