I used to motivate myself through plans; however, because of physical distancing, I became disoriented as my carefully laid out plans were scrapped. I missed my routine, my community, and the future that I thought I had. When I started to fall behind on the goals I had set for myself, I felt overwhelmed.
That’s when I realized that motivation—especially in our current situation—is about practicing resilience. In these past weeks, I’ve found a few tips that help my motivation by changing my perspective and building self-confidence.
- Don’t feel guilty about what you have not done; guilt emphasizes your perception of time lost, further hindering attempts to improve. If you feel overwhelmed, set small goals; the key is to recognize what you do accomplish. This will build your self-efficacy—your confidence in completing goals—giving you the energy and motivation needed to work the next day.
- Students are used to moving classes, which allows the brain to “switch gears” and prepare for the next task. Depending on your schedule, move to a different part of the house for each task; maybe one place for class meetings, another for project work, and another for relaxation.
- Speaking of relaxation, set aside time to do something for you—you deserve it! This adds variety to your day, creating tangible, memorable experiences that add meaning. At the end of the day, you can look back and say, “wow, today I got work done AND had time to have fun!”
Remember: what you do does matter! Whether it is completing work, reaching out to a friend, or embarking on a self-project, the things you do impact your life as well as others. Therefore, be fearless in the pursuit of your choices, and you will find that this is the greatest motivation of all.