Laura Stack* says that even the most productive people at work have days when they simply can’t get going so she suggests ways to start the engine when the tank seems to be on empty.
We all have days when we feel about as productive as a limp noodle, yet we have no choice but to get into gear and do something for the team.
So, what do you do when the motivation needle is on empty?
Simple: You put in the extra effort to trick yourself into productivity.
It’s usually easier than you might think, since most productivity involves self-trickery anyway.
By the time you’ve faked it long enough, you’ll have accomplished a decent amount of work and will probably find it easier to move forward.
Try these tips to start your productivity engine on a down day.
Harness creative procrastination:
Start your morning with a relatively easy task.
While completing five minor tasks may not be as productive (or as profitable) as completing one big task, at least you’re clearing your list.
It makes you feel good as you do it.
Neurologists claim you get a natural dopamine jolt every time you finish a task, which may urge you on toward the next, better fix.
Make a ‘done list’:
Of all the projects and tasks you’ve finished lately.
This will not only remind you that you can be productive, it’ll make you feel more confident about your abilities.
Talk to yourself:
Self-talk is surprisingly important.
It’s most obvious in children, who often speak aloud when reviewing the steps of a process or urging themselves on.
As you mature, it goes underground to become internal self-talk, which can be extremely influential — especially if it’s negative.
Talk back and speak up.
Outline the steps of the task. Be your own cheerleader.
Talking to yourself forces you to articulate your thoughts, making them cleaner than stream-of-consciousness, and helps you override any negative thoughts slowing you down.
Compete with yourself:
Try to beat your previous best time or efficiency at a specific task.
It’s a great way to boost productivity, and you can have fun with it.
I know someone who, whenever he listens to the Jason Mraz song Curbside Prophet at work, pushes to finish his latest subtask, line, or thought before the dog barks (fans will know what I mean).
It’s silly… but he says it feels good to finish before Elsa the Dog “exceeds his limitations”.
There’s that dopamine thing again. You can also practice ‘sprints’ for a set length of time, for example 15, 30, or 45 minutes, pushing yourself as hard as you can until time runs out.
Bribe yourself:
Tell yourself that when you complete a task, you can go get a cup of coffee or tea or take a quick walk.
You probably need to stretch your legs anyway.
Promise yourself you’ll stop for a treat on the way home if you have a productive day.
Don’t reward yourself if you didn’t accomplish much; if you do, your self-conditioning won’t work.
Just get started:
If you’re procrastinating just because you’re facing a task that looks tough, stop it.
Sometimes worrying over a task takes more energy than doing it.
Take a breath, jump in, and see what happens.
The work may feel like pulling teeth at first, but you’ll at least make some headway; and as you get limbered up and start gathering speed, you may find yourself on a roll.
If you don’t, you can stop for a while, knowing you’ve made a decent start.
Use the Pomodoro Technique, a classic way of tricking yourself into working on something.
Set a timer for a brief period, say 15 minutes, then work at it until the timer goes off.
At that point, you can either stop if you’re having problems, or decide to keep going for a while longer.
Many people find they’re so into the task by then it’s easy to choose the latter.
If nothing else, focus on your ‘why’, the overriding goal underlying and informing everything you do.
We all need one… If you lose your ‘why’, then you’ve lost your way.
Remind yourself:
Why are you doing a certain task, and working at your job in general?
Maybe it’s because you want to be a good provider; maybe you’re saving for a new car; or maybe you want to change the world.
You may just love your work, and your to-do list is part of achieving it.
*Laura Stack is a speaker and author specialising in productivity and performance. She has written seven books, including her latest: Doing the Right Things Right: How the Effective Executive Spends Time. She can be contacted at theproductivitypro.com.
This article first appeared on Laura’s blogsite.
