Getting Motivated To Be Productive & Getting Motivated To Stay On Task
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There are many ways to get motivated to be productive. Being more productive is good all around, but we live in a lazy world and it is so easy to not be productive, especially with so many distractions. Try some of the following:
- Look at results of not being productive
A lot of times it is difficult to get motivated to be productive. We would rather sleep, eat, watch television, or do any number of other things rather than be productive, especially on a day off. So, one of the best ways to be motivated to be productive is to look at what will happen to your life if you are not productive.
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For example, let’s say you have a lot of work to do, and you have three hours today to do it, and then the next day. If you waste your time during those three hours, then the next day you will be stressed out and have no free time.
So, what if someone were to call you and invite you to the movies. Because you were not productive the day before you won’t be able to go. By not being productive during some free time, or even during time devoted to work, you end up having less fun later. But, if you are productive, you feel good about things, and you get the huge benefit of having the ability to do things on the spur of the moment later.
- Set time aside for playing and time aside for being productive
If you want to be productive, and you want to get motivated to be productive, you will want to set time aside just for playing and time just for being productive. This is a huge motivator because it means you know that when you have time to play that is what you get to do. When you are supposed to be productive you get to be productive.
When you are supposed to be playing, you get to play. So, what this means that you do not have to feel that weight hanging over your head when you are playing and you have work to do. If you want to get motivated to be productive you have to have balance, productivity and fun.
- Be productive with someone else
Things are always easier when you have a friend. Let’s face it, it is always easier to have a good time with friends, and even easier to be responsible and productive when someone else is around or doing it with you. For example, if you need to clean your kitchen, and someone stops in, often times that is just the motivation you need to actually get it clean.
So, if you need to be productive with work, hook up with a buddy, work together, then break together, eat lunch together, etc. If you want to get motivated to be productive with your home work, join a study group. Working as a group makes working at anything easier, at least for most.
If you can do the above three things you will get motivated to be productive. Just beware, being productive can be contagious. When you start realizing how much better you feel when you get more done, you will want to be productive all the time, and it can be difficult to relax.
So, be sure to really pay attention to number two. You have to be productive, and have time for play. So, decide when you want to be productive, and decide when you want to play, and enjoy doing it.
Getting Motivated To Stay On Task
For some people, staying on task-whether it’s getting homework or schoolwork done, completing projects at work, or getting the house cleaned up-is a piece of cake.
For other people, getting motivated to stay on task and then completing those tasks is a little more difficult. If you are one of these people and need to find the motivation to stay on task, consider the following tips:
Know what you need to do. If your tasks seem daunting, or you are not sure where to start, consider making a list of things that need to get done. This can be motivating because writing things down makes the tasks more manageable. Go one step further and write down not only what you need to do, but how you are going to get there. For example, if you are having company that night and need to clean the house, make a list of what needs to be done and write down ways to accomplish the tasks, such as, "Have kids help with dishes," or "Do floors last."
Set deadlines. If you are trying to do schoolwork or projects at work, chances are you will already have a deadline in place. Deadlines are motivating because they allow you to stay focused with a goal in mind. Without a deadline, there is no urgency to complete your tasks and you are not as motivated to finish them.
Steer clear of distractions. There will always be a distraction that will keep you from getting a task complete. You will be less motivated to stay on task if there are many things surrounding you, like the TV, friends, and so forth. So if you need to do homework or study, go find a quiet place in the library where there are less distractions. Or if a coworker keeps coming over to talk and you find it distracting, put earphones in or close your office door to keep distractions at bay.
Reward yourself. A reward can be a powerful motivator to stay on task. Think of a reward for staying on task, such as, "If I finish my work by 8, I can watch my favorite TV show," or "Once I get this project finished, I'll treat myself to ice cream." Whatever the reward is, it can be the motivator you need to stay on task.
Give yourself a break. It can be hard to stay on task if there is no end in sight. One way to motivate you to stay on task is to allow yourself to take a break every now and then. This will give you a chance to get a drink, stretch, or walk around. Taking a break will also help you to clear your head a little, so when you get back to work you will be more focused and able to stay on task.
Think of the end result. By focusing on what you will accomplish at the end of the task, you can stay motivated to complete your task. For example, if you need to stay on task to study, you can get motivated by thinking of the great grade you'll get. Or, if you need motivation to stay on task at work, think of how easy it would be for your boss to fire you if you don't finish your job. The good or bad outcome of the end result will help motivate you to stay on task.
These are just a few things you can do to get motivated to stay on task.