Let me guess: Last night, you promised yourself that you'd wake up early this morning so you could be productive — but you ended up hitting the snooze button more times than you can count and now you've got a mountain of things to do and no motivation in sight.
Some days, laziness feels almost unavoidable regardless of whether you’re working from an office, at your kitchen table, or even the most inspiring of coworking spaces.
So if you often find yourself struggling to stay focused and energized when motivation is nowhere to be found (especially on Monday mornings when the to-do list is extra long), I’ve got just the remedy for you: Four easy tips to help kick that pesky laziness to the curb, reignite your drive, and power through the rest of your day like the superwoman you are.
Pssst... Here are a few printable planners I thought you might like!
1. Fruit is Your Friend
Particularly while working from home, nothing is a faster distraction from our laptop screens than the incessant urge to get up from our desk and go browse the snack cabinet. Half the time, you aren't even hungry — you're just looking for something to do that isn't reviewing that lengthy spreadsheet waiting for you in your inbox.
Grazing is a bad habit, but one that can be easily fixed with some planning ahead and smart decision-making at the grocery store. Rather than simply relying on willpower (which, if you're like me, is a recipe for disaster — this is why they say don't go grocery shopping while hungry), fill your fridge with healthy quick-grab snacks like nuts, fresh fruit, or hard-boiled eggs made in bulk earlier in the week.
Not only will these healthy snacks give you the energy boost you need, but you’ll feel better about avoiding a mindless sugar-induced roller coaster ride and can indulge in something even more tasty for dinner later.
2. Change Up Your Surroundings
Mondays are often boring because the monotony of your same old weekly routine is back. So why not mix things up? Next time you start to feel an afternoon slump coming on, step outside and take a mini adventure somewhere around your workplace or neighborhood.
Take 10 or 15 minutes to go explire a new hallway in the office, chat with a colleague you haven't caught up with in a while, or discover a hidden nook to work from for a small change of scenery — it might sound silly, but it can go a long way in boosting your energy and motivation.
Get Up and Get Moving (and Maybe Even Get Dancing?)
Instead of staring into the depths of your own soul via your little square on Zoom, take that afternoon call with headphones and go do a few laps around the building or your neighborhood.
You might be surprised how getting some exercise in actually gives you more energy, not expels it. Walking while working helps the creative juices flowing, or, if you have a meeting-free afternoon (blessed), treat yourself to an iced coffee run (ahem...walk) or do a five-minute quick stretch session in the grass outside.
You're coworkers might think you're crazy, but just getting your legs moving is a great way to wake yourself up from the inevitable afternoon coma. Better yet, have some fun with it — maybe even throw on some music and throw around a few dance moves to really boost your mood if you're feeling particularly groovy. Just simply getting up from behind your computer screen and getting your body moving is enough to get your blood flowing — your body will be more alert because of it, avoiding that late afternoon energy crash.
3. Positive Procrastination
Alright, so this is far from scientifically proven, but I swear by the positive procrastination method: If you're finding it hard to focus on your most pressing task, put it to the side for just a moment.
Instead, take a peek at your weekly planner and go tackle one of the smaller, less intimidating items first. Knocking out a quick win will give you a sense of accomplishment and hopefully the motivation to tackle the bigger stuff next.
The momentum of getting things done (and that sweet, sweet satisfaction of physically scratching out something on your daily to-do list) is bound to snowball, and once you feel ready to tackle that one big, daunting project, you'll probably realize you were hyping up some of the dread in your head, and it actually wasn't that bad.
4. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
It sounds simple, but water really is like a magic potion. Dehydration — a state that most of us are constantly in — can make you feel sluggish and tired. So make sure to keep a water bottle handy and make a habit of constantly sipping on it throughout the day. Bonus points if you throw in some fresh lemon or cucumber!
“You don’t have to feel motivated to move — you just have to move, and motivation will follow. It works every single time."
Sure, we’d all prefer to be lounging at the beach, but with these tricks you’ll be better prepared to push through those idealistic daydreams that have you nodding off at your desk. Remember, keeping things fun and lighthearted is the secret — that goes for Monday afternoons and for life in general.
Here's to a productive and energized rest of the day. You’ve got this!
