How I Get Motivated

1. Be Inspired. When the motivation bus is really lagging, inspiration helps to get the wheels moving. Find something to be inspired by, whether it's a quote, a book, a painting, music, anything. Allow others' works to inspire you and spark your inner flame. Tip: Know what makes you smile and feel good and do it! It's much easier to find motivation when you're feeling positive. BONUS: Do something for someone else that makes them happy. This can be a quick way to feel inspired and gain the energy to get to work. 
2. Take a Break. Do something completely unrelated to work (including housework) and go back to your task list afterward. Sometimes that's all our brain needs to recharge. Go for a walk, enjoy a mindful cup of tea, color, draw, daydream, sing, watch a Ted Talk. Whatever you chose, make sure it's anything other than work for at least 10-20 minutes. 
3. Get Moving. Sometimes even 10 minutes of physical activity is all it takes to raise our energy levels, which inadvertently helps increase our motivation. Whatever it is, find one way to get moving! When it's too cold to go outside, I'll simply open the door for a moment and breathe in a few breaths of fresh air. You might be surprised how something so simple can be so effective! 
4. Start Small. Break your large tasks up into small manageable steps and start there. The momentum will build as you move forward. Trust me.
5. Reduce Your To-Do List to One Thing. Looking at my to-do list on most days can be quite daunting, and on some days it can put me in a complete rut. So instead of looking at my full list during these times, I reduce it to a single item—sometimes the easiest task that I know I can get done—and simply focus on that. Because I've chosen something easier on my list, I'm more likely to accomplish it, which in turn, helps me to feel successful and more motivated; this also helps build momentum to get the day going. Once I've crossed off that one item, I'll add one more. And one by one, my to-do list gets an effective chunk knocked off of it by the end of the day. 
6. Don't Force It. Nothing makes it harder to feel motivated then trying to make yourself feel motivated. If you're anything like me, doing this makes me want to escape altogether. So instead of forcing yourself to try to feel a certain way, try accepting it. Accept and acknowledge that you don't feel motivated and stop trying to resist or fight it. Sometimes the simple task of accepting how we feel can turn a mountain into a molehill. 
7. Reward Yourself. It's much easier to get things done when there's something to look forward to afterward. Try scheduling something that makes your heart smile as a treat for finishing the items on your to-do list. For me, this is usually and earl grey tea latte, dessert, or an episode of my favorite show. 
8. Give In. On days when none of these strategies work, I try giving in by asking myself what I'd rather be doing instead, or what would make me really happy in this moment. If it's something I'm able to do without sacrificing too much of the workday, I allow myself to do it (e.g., read a few chapters of that book that's got me hooked, watch a guilt-free episode of my favorite show, have an extra cup of tea). Sometimes by giving myself my reward early, I'm able to change the energy of my thoughts and reattempt my work from a more satisfied place. So if all else fails, try seeing where the lack of motivation takes you. Eventually, your work will get done, but sometimes the path to getting there is quite different than the one we planned on our own. 

What gets you motivated? Share your tips and experiences in the comments below!