Ways to Get Motivated (At Work, Being Active, and More)

It’s okay to be unmotivated. Slow progress on goals, tough days, long winters, and plenty more can leave us feeling unmotivated. In those moments, it’s great to have some ideas and techniques to find motivation to keep going.

We’ve put together a big selection of ways to motivate yourself in lots of areas of life. Whether you want to be more productive at work, be more active, or connect with people who inspire you, there are lots of ideas to try.

Alongside journaling about why you’re unmotivated, listening to motivational music, reading words of encouragement, and setting realistic goals, there are many different ways to motivate ourselves. Everyone is different, so try a few and see which ones work best for you.

Ideas to Get Motivated

Here you’ll find all of the ideas in full, placed into sections. Different ideas work for different people, so track what you can and keep trying ideas.

Productivity

Break down goals into smaller tasks.
Get an accountability buddy.
Declutter your workspace for 5 minutes.
Create a vision board.
Set small rewards for completing tasks.
Work in short bursts with rest breaks.
Create a daily priorities list.
Just choose one thing to focus on.
Write things down on paper.
Organize your calendar for 5 minutes.

Workspace

Add plants to your workspace.
Open the windows for fresh air.
Wear noise-canceling headphones.
Try listening to deep focus music.
Display meaningful art on the wall.
Rearrange your workspace and try it.
Create a cozy corner for thinking.
Make your workspace more comfortable.
Work from a coffee shop or other place.

Mindful

Close your eyes and breathe deeply.
Put encouraging post-its around the house.
Repeat positive statements out loud.
Watch a motivational video.
Journal about your progress.
Take a nap.
Look at photos of happy times.
Listen to music you love
Read inspiring stories.

Take a Break

Do something different.
Have a no-screen hour.
Write down what motivates you.
Solve brain teasers.
Start a 30-day challenge.
Read in a cozy corner.
Photograph interesting things outdoors.
Acknowledge it’s okay to feel unmotivated.

Movement

Create a simple morning stretching routine.
Make or fix things with your hands.
Step outside for a fresh air break.
Go somewhere new for a change of scenery.
Dance in your bedroom.
Sign up for a group fitness class.
Stand up and move around when thinking.
Go for a walk in a park to reset.

Social

Reach out to a person you find inspiring.
Join an online group with similar interests.
Go to a meetup or gathering.
Make plans with friends.
Attend an inspiring public lecture or talk.
Volunteer in your spare time.
Write motivating letters to your future self.
Call someone to catch up.

Get the Motivation Ideas Printable here.

Simple Things to Do When You’re Unmotivated

Motivation

Schedule one evening to plan the rest of the month: use this evening to get ahead.
Acknowledge your small wins with simple rewards.
Introduce weekly or monthly planning Sundays to start your weeks with clarity.
Meal prep as much as you can on weekends.

Make your alarm a feel-good dance song.
Adjust routines by making one simple change at a time.
Complete smaller, easier tasks first to build momentum.
Alongside day-to-day tasks, set a fresh goal that excites you.

Movement and Nature

Try some simple morning movement routines.
Schedule get-togethers and self-care activities outdoors if you can.
Get indoor plants to bring nature inside.
Do a little more gardening.
Go outside, get fresh air, and take short nature walks as much as you can.

Positive

Refresh your home with spring decor and splashes of color.
Create a simple 5-10 minute morning routine that motivates you.
Try positivity journaling with ideas like ‘I’m grateful to spring for…’ and ‘I’m excited for summer because…’
Create playlists that inspire you.

Self-Care

Take an evening to reflect on the week or month with fondness and then encourage yourself to let go and look forward.
Read inspiring stories.
Practice self-compassion through more journaling or ‘me’ time.
Have evenings to make plans for spring or summer trips or getaways.

Social

Simplify commitments and don’t say ‘yes’ to every event, if possible.
Call friends or family for catch-ups.
Start an accountability group with friends or family.
Start a 30-day accountability challenge, like daily fitness or reading.
Talk to friends or family members about the small wins and challenges to remind you that you’re not alone.

More

Don’t take it all on by yourself: try to find even one task you could delegate or get support for.
Revisit your ‘why’ to motivate you on tough days.
Follow people who motivate and inspire you.

Get the Simple Things to Do When You’re Unmotivated printable here.

It’s not easy to keep yourself motivated all day. When you’re unmotivated, it’s simply about finding something that helps you get out of the same routine and inspires you to be different and keep going.