How to Motivate Yourself to Work

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff | 21 References

Updated: June 20, 2019

There are some days when getting even the simplest job done can seem like an
Explore this Article
insurmountable task. If you’re having trouble getting motivated, look for ways to boost
your mood and find the fun in your work. It’s also important to stay organized so that Finding Your Drive and Inspiration
Staying Alert and Focused
your latest project doesn’t feel completely overwhelming. If you still can’t focus, look for
Organizing Your Time
ways to eliminate distractions in your work environment that are making it harder for
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you to stay on task.
Article Summary
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Method
Finding Your Drive and Inspiration
1

1 Look at the big picture. If you’re having trouble feeling excited about your work, remind yourself of why
you’re doing it in the first place. Try to tap into something deeper and more personal than “making money.”
Even if you’re not excited about the work itself, there’s likely a bigger reason that it’s important for you to get it
done.[1]
For example, maybe you’re trying to support your family, or maybe your job is an important stepping
stone in your larger career plans.
If you’re doing work in a career you care about, look for inspiration in the work itself. Remind yourself of
the reasons you chose to go into your profession.

2 Set personal goals for your work. While your work probably already has built in goals and deadlines,
setting your own goals can help you stay engaged and challenged. Think of both long and short-term goals
that you’d like to achieve with your work, and have fun coming up with strategies for how to achieve them.[2]
Make your goals SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound). For example,
instead of setting a vague goal, such as “I will be more productive from now on,” try something like “I will
get 6 reports written by the end of this week.”

3 Reward yourself both before and after doing a task. It’s a great idea to treat yourself after achieving a
goal. Giving yourself a boost beforehand can also help you stay energized and productive, however.
Before you get down to work, take a moment to do something enjoyable, like savoring a nice cup of tea or
reading the latest page of your favorite web comic.
Studies have shown that looking at baby animals before doing a task can dramatically improve
productivity. So, go ahead—give yourself permission to watch one cute kitten video before you start
working![3]

4 Spend time with hard-working people. If you hang out with friends or coworkers who just want to chat or
goof off all the time, you’ll probably have a hard time staying on task. While you’re working, seek out others
who are good at staying focused and getting their work done efficiently.[4]
You might find it helpful to work with an accountability buddy. Inspire and motivate each other by
checking in with each other and working towards your goals together.

5 Figure out when and where you work best. Some people are more productive at certain times or in
particular environments. Think about how you feel throughout the day—are there times when you are more
energetic or eager to get things done? Do you find it easier to get into a groove if you’re alone or surrounded
with other people?
For example, if you feel most energetic and motivated in the morning, schedule your most challenging
tasks for early in the day.
 If you have a choice about where to work, try to find an environment that works for you. For instance, if
you tend to get distracted while doing your homework in your dorm room, try using a library study space
or working in a coffee shop.

Method
Staying Alert and Focused
2

1 Practice a little mindful meditation before you start working. Taking a few minutes to meditate and get
into the moment can help you stay relaxed and clear-headed while you work. At the beginning of the day,
give yourself 10 or 15 minutes to sit quietly and focus on what’s going on inside and around you. Use all your
senses and make note of what you are feeling, hearing, smelling, and seeing.[5]
If you get distracted by your thoughts, gently turn your attention back to the present moment.
You don’t have to do this while sitting at your desk—you can also practice being mindful during your
commute or as you take an early morning walk or jog.

2 Take breaks if you start to feel burnt out. Forcing yourself to keep working for hours on end when you’re
tired and distracted is counterproductive. If you can, take a 15 minute break every hour or so.[6] Take a few
minutes to stretch, get up from your desk and walk around, or quietly meditate.
If your job doesn’t allow frequent breaks, look for ways to leave your desk occasionally while still being
productive. For example, you might volunteer to go get change for the cash register or run something
over to the mail room.
You can also try focusing deeply on your work for 25 minutes at a time, followed by a 5-minute break.
After 4 of these work-break cycles, take a longer break (e.g., around 15-20 minutes). This is called the
Pomodoro Technique.[7]

3 Switch to a different task if you begin to lose focus. If you have a complex, high-stress task to do, don’t
make yourself work on it for more than 2 to 4 hours at a time. Staying at a difficult task for too long will
eventually erode your productivity and make you more likely to make mistakes. Move on to something else for a
while, then come back to what you were doing later.[8]
Give yourself a brief break between switching tasks, if you can. For example, you might work on a major
project for a few hours before lunch, then switch to something less complicated after your lunch break.
While switching between tasks can be helpful, don’t try to juggle more than one task at the same time.
Multitasking makes it harder to focus and do your work well, and it can ultimately sap your energy and
motivation.[9]

4 Keep water and healthy snacks on hand. Staying hydrated can help you feel more alert and focused, so
keep a bottle of water by your side whenever you’re working. If you find yourself getting peckish before or
after your lunch break, you can also give yourself an energy boost by eating a healthy snack. Some good snack
options include:[10]
Seeds and nuts
Fresh, high-fiber fruits, such as apples or bananas
Dried fruit
Plain, air-popped popcorn

Method
Organizing Your Time
3

1 Evaluate your schedule to determine if you’re overloaded. It’s hard to focus on your work if you have
way too much on your plate. Take a look at your commitments and obligations and figure out if there’s
anything you can afford to cut. This will help you focus more fully on the most important goals and tasks.
For example, if you are a full-time student struggling to keep up with your coursework, consider whether
you can drop any extracurricular activities. Alternatively, look at your course schedule and determine if
you can withdraw from any non-essential classes and still have a full load.

2 Try to keep consistent work hours. Keeping a consistent schedule can help you stay focused on your
work rather than on worrying about what to do, when.[11] This can be especially important if you work at
home or set your own hours. Schedule regular times for starting work, taking breaks, and wrapping up your day.
Be firm about when you don’t work, too. If you let your job take over your life, you’ll start to feel burnt out
on it pretty fast. When your work day ends, resist the urge to check your work email or spend extra time
on details you didn’t manage to wrap up during the day.
 3 Make a prioritized to-do list. Look at your work obligations for each day or each week and figure out
which ones are the most urgent. Write down what you need to get done, putting the most pressing tasks at
the top. As you work through the list, make sure to mark off the tasks you’ve completed.[12]
You may find it helpful to set an hourly schedule or a daily goal for achieving a certain number of tasks
on your list.
If you’re too tired or distracted to focus on completing a high-priority task, take a break and deal with a
few of the simpler tasks first.[13]

4 Break each task down into manageable pieces. A big job can feel less overwhelming if you break it
apart into smaller segments. Look at each task and think about the best way to approach it piece by piece.
Make sure to recognize each completed component as an accomplishment in itself.[14]
For example, if you’re writing an article, you can break it down into doing the research, writing an
outline, composing a draft, and editing your draft.

5 Use productivity apps to help keep you on task. Productivity apps offer a wide range of features to help
you keep track of what you’re supposed to be doing and when. Try apps like Any.do, Todoist, or Hours if
you need a hand remembering scheduled tasks or monitoring the time you spend at any given activity.
Basic apps like Google Calendars can help you remember meetings and other important events.
While productivity apps can be helpful for managing your time, they’re not for everybody.[15] If you don’t
like using apps, an old-fashioned paper planner can help you stay on top of things.

6 Practice self-care on your personal time. When you’re not on the clock, make time to care for yourself. If
you’re feeling your best physically and emotionally, you’ll have a much easier time staying motivated at
work.[16] Self-care can mean a lot of things, but a few of the basics include:
Sleeping well
Eating a healthy diet
Staying physically active
Spending quality time with friends and family
Making time for things you enjoy

Method
Minimizing Distractions
4

1 Silence your cell phone and put it out of sight. The temptation to check your messages, play games, or
browse social media can make it hard to work. While you’re working, turn alerts off on your phone. Put it
somewhere where you won’t be likely to keep glancing at it, like inside a desk drawer or a bag.[17]
Some phones offer a “Do Not Disturb” mode that allows you to silence incoming notifications during a
scheduled period of time. You can even program in exceptions for calls from certain contacts.[18]
If you just can’t stay away from your phone at work, try installing apps like Offtime, Breakfree, or Flipd to
block access to troublesome apps or even your entire phone during work hours.

2 Use browser extensions to limit your access to social media. If social media and other time-wasting
websites are too enticing, you can use browser extensions to cut them off while you’re working.[19] Try
using an extension like Strict Workflow or StayFocusd to keep yourself on task.
If there are specific websites that tend to lure you in again and again, look for an extension that lets you
create a personalized block list.

3 Reduce noise in your work area as much as you can. Noise can be a major distraction when you’re
trying to work, especially if you don’t have an office with a door you can close. If going someplace quiet
isn’t an option, try listening to quiet music or white noise over a set of noise cancelling headphones. If you work
in a cubicle, ask about getting a noise screen installed.[20]
If a loud coworker is distracting you, try politely and respectfully asking them to keep it down. For
example, you might say, “Jimmy, I have a hard time concentrating on my work when you and Kim chat
right outside my cubicle. Would you mind talking to her in the break room instead?”
Talk to your boss or the HR department if noise is a major problem in your workplace.
If you work at home, talk to anyone who lives with you about your need for quiet during your working
hours.

4
 Keep your workspace tidy. Try to make a habit of cleaning up your work area regularly. Keep your necessities
organized, and don’t allow trash and papers to pile up. A cluttered work area can be distracting, and having too
much disorganized stuff around can make it hard to find the things you need.[21]
Keeping your workspace neat doesn’t mean it has to be boring and severe. Make your work area more
comfy and pleasant by decorating with a few favorite photos, some knickknacks, or even a live plant.

References

1. https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-motivate-yourself-to-work-harder-2014-10
2. https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/275819
3. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2012/10/01/want-to-increase-your-productivity-study-says-look-at-
this-adorable-kitten/
4. https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-motivate-yourself-to-work-harder-2014-10
5. https://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2014/11/19/10-ways-to-ace-your-workday-before-it-begins
6. https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/09/science-tells-you-how-many-minutes-should-you-take-a-
break-for-work-17/380369/
7. https://www.themuse.com/advice/take-it-from-someone-who-hates-productivity-hacksthe-pomodoro-technique-
actually-works
8. https://www.fastcompany.com/40425697/forget-focus-heres-when-task-switching-makes-you-more-productive
9. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/creativity-without-borders/201405/the-myth-multitasking
10. http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/z3xdq6f
11. https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/232349
12. https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/275819
13. https://hbr.org/2015/12/5-ways-to-minimize-office-distractions
14. https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-motivate-yourself-to-work-harder-2014-10
15. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/aug/18/time-management-apps-work-life-balance-productivity
16. https://www.forbes.com/sites/payout/2017/09/19/practicing-self-care-is-important-10-easy-habits-to-get-you-
started/#3a2a2fca283a
17. https://hbr.org/2015/12/5-ways-to-minimize-office-distractions
18. https://smallbusiness.chron.com/happens-put-iphone-not-disturb-mode-71152.html
19. https://www.theguardian.com/small-business-network/2014/dec/17/internet-restriction-apps-productivity
20. https://www.svdpusa.org/Portals/1/Minimizing%20Work%20Space%20Stress.pdf
21. https://www.inc.com/indigo-triplett/creating-a-clutter-free-mind-by-creating-a-clutter-free-space.html