Quick Tips On What to Do If You Don’t Feel Like Working
November 28th, 2007 (5:00am) Leo Babauta 12 Comments
Let’s face it: there are times (days, weeks even) when we don’t feel like working. We just aren’t motivated, or we’re exhausted, and we just want to goof off or take a nap. Unfortunately, also means that you won’t get paid, and when the bills come in, it is hell to pay. Here are some basic tips to get you motivated again.
- Work on something exciting.
- Just do a little at a time.
- Put a major project at the top of your to-do list.
- Play a game.
- Go for a walk.
- Talk to someone.
- Commit yourself to a deadline.
What is your favorite way to motivate yourself when you are feeling the blues?
12 Comments Post your own comment
Benjamin Hall says: November 28th, 2007 7:35am
Put on some music. Nothing clears my head for creating like putting on some tunes.
Chris M Johnson says: November 28th, 2007 8:15am
Usually for me, to get myself motivated to work I need to first take a break from being in front of the computer. I limit myself to 1 hour away, longer then that makes it harder to return to working.
Once I return, like Ben said, headphones go on and volume goes up. It helps me block out any distractions from working.
JRO says: November 28th, 2007 8:24am
Open up my bills … look at my CC balance.
Does the trick every time.
Mario Olckers says: November 28th, 2007 8:52am
Thanks for posting this, exactly the kind of advice I need.
I find working during the night when everything is quiet the most productive. And the the mobile broadband network is waaay faster…
Liz Greer says: November 28th, 2007 12:47pm
1) This is what office dogs are for, aren’t they?
2) I try to identify the most distasteful or difficult thing that I’m trying to put off, and tackle that first (even if it’s just taking one small step in the right direction). Everything else is easier after that.
Eric says: November 28th, 2007 12:51pm
I found the best way for me is to unplug and do something with my family. Then I come back and catch up that night after everyone is sleeping.
DJ Nelson says: November 28th, 2007 2:43pm
Sometimes you just need a power nap. A quick 15-20 minutes will do.
Jaan Orvet says: November 28th, 2007 5:10pm
Go for a walk. The outside world is all you need to feel invigorated. Apparently it also “activates both sides of your brain since you have to coordinate left and right… and that triggers both your analytic and your creative sides of thinking” …as Andreas of Nofont commented when I posted about this topic recently. And here I am thinking it was just the fresh air!
lizalee says: November 28th, 2007 5:44pm
I remember that I have 27 students who will appear in my room the next day and expect me to know what I’m doing! :)
Khaled Afiouni says: November 28th, 2007 10:42pm
Try changing the computer location in the room or in the house if possible. Also changing the interior design of the room might help. I also foud out that changing the lighting affects the mood as well. This all can fool the brain to think that we’re doing something new ;)
Adam Darowski says: December 1st, 2007 6:58pm
Go to the bottom of the to-do list where there are some quick things that can be crossed off. Get ‘em done. Feel like you got something done. Sometimes that’s all you need.
Kristine Sheehan says: December 14th, 2007 4:30am
Usually a cup of chai tea will do… I guess I allow myself the time to feel like “not” working and then I immerse myself into what needs to be done. The days challenge helps my desire to work grow.