Just do It

It’s the day after the Super Bowl and you really don’t want to be reading this right now.  Reading this means you’re not sleeping off your late night and you’re most likely at work.  14 million people took today off as a sick day, making the day after the Super Bowl the biggest sick day of the year.  We all have those times when we just aren’t feeling it.  We want the day to pass so tomorrow can come and we can have our motivation back and be ready to tackle what lies ahead.  How can you motivate yourself even when you can’t imagine doing anything other than turning off your alarm clock and pulling the covers back up?  Here are some tips that may benefit you.

Use a motivational phrase.  Nike has an excellent slogan that I just love – “Just do it.”  Don’t overthink it, don’t overanalyze it, and don’t overcomplicate it.  Just do it.  How many times have you talked yourself out of something?  A LOT.  Taking immediate action prevents you from doing that and gives you the motivation you need to keep going since you already have momentum.  If you don’t do something you’re thinking about within 5 seconds, you probably won’t do it.  Rather than thinking about the benefits of doing the task you’re planning, take the action and realize the benefits.

Prepare in advance. If you know that it’s going to be harder to get up tomorrow than it normally is (hello Mondays), set yourself up for success the night before.  Get your toothbrush ready with the toothpaste already on it.  Hang your towel over the shower door and lay your clothes out.  Have your breakfast already planned and prepared as much as possible.  Putting your alarm across the room will give you a small burst of energy when you go to shut it off that may be just what you need to kickstart your day.  It’s also helpful to drink a full cup of water first thing in the morning to wake your body up.  Do these things at night when you have the energy so you don't have to deal with them in the morning when you don't.

Play music.  I find that when I’m not in great spirits, playing music brightens my mood.  It also helps wake me up.  Playing it while you go through your morning routine can give you the energy you need to face your day with a smile and an upbeat attitude to knock out your tasks.

Plan something fun.  If you know that you aren’t a fan of Mondays or that you really won’t want to go to work the day after the Super Bowl, schedule something fun in your day that you will look forward to.  Maybe it’s lunch with your friend or a big breakfast with your significant other.  You could schedule a massage or a movie night.  Having one thing in your day that you’re looking forward to really helps push you through.

If you find yourself just dogging it and not wanting to get out of bed, hopefully, these tips will help motivate you.  Keep in mind that you’re still going to have the same amount of work to do, no matter how long you stay in bed.  Every minute you wait is just another minute less you have to get things done.  So rather than pushing off the inevitable, do your assignments in stride and ensure you make time for things you enjoy.  Don’t wait to reach your goals.  Now is all there is.