What to do when motivation is low?

Many, if not all, of us, experience a lack of motivation from time to time as individuals. There are several tips for overcoming this likely distressing experience, with one of the most effective strategies being to break tasks up into smaller, more manageable actions. Sometimes one can lose motivation when a task appears to be insurmountable, and one becomes overwhelmed. Focusing on smaller, more manageable tasks that need to be completed regarding accomplishing or completing the overall objective tasks can help one be in the present moment and thus reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed, increasing engagement and motivation. Another suggestion for coping with low motivation is to write down the positive things you experience throughout the day. Writing down the positive things has been reported by many people to help with increasing hope when emotionally struggling, counteracting, and negative thoughts one might be experiencing by consciously injecting positive experiences into one’s psyche. It is also important to acknowledge the small things one does and give oneself credit when one’s motivation is low. Praising yourself for all the small things you did can add up quickly and produce a psychic change in one’s emotional experience and motivation. Did you get out of bed this morning, brush your teeth, put on clean clothes? Those are three things to acknowledge and reward yourself for without minimizing them, seeing them as the productive and pro-social behaviors that you chose to do. Above all, when one’s motivation is low, it is important to be gentle and kind to yourself. Accepting the feeling, rather than fighting it, and acknowledging it while simultaneously looking for ways to reach out for support and asking for help if needed is an important part of life and well-being in general. We all need help at times in various aspects; whether it be the help from various people to design, sew, transport, and sell the clothes that we are wearing to having someone to listen to our struggles and let us know that we will be ok, there is no need for shame in asking for help.