Staying Focused and Motivated

May 25, 2021

By: Ashley and Cilicia

Do you ever find it difficult to get work done? If yes, you aren’t alone. It can be very hard to get motivated to do work, especially when things are online and nobody is keeping an eye on you. Here are some tips about focus and motivation!

Think About Why You’re Doing This

Your mind is the only thing holding you back from being great. Think about why you’re studying or doing work. What goal(s) are you trying to reach? Keep that in mind when you start to procrastinate and while you are working.

Change Your Routine

Switching things up can get you motivated because you won’t feel like you’re doing the same thing everyday. But having a routine is important to feel like you have some predictability and control in your day. It can also help build habits.

Create A Schedule

Creating a weekly and/or daily schedule will help you stay structured and motivated.

Write it out, use a grid template, put it on your phone, etc.

Sometimes when you have too much time to pick and choose what to do, you will end up being off task or you won’t even start because you feel like you have so much time left.
Making a schedule forces you to get work done in certain time periods without being overwhelmed.

Have a organized “work space”

Limit your distractions but create a space that’s enjoyable to work in.

If your phone is your biggest distraction, put it somewhere you can’t reach while you’re working (somewhere you have to stand up and walk to)

Try changing your study area when you are having troubles getting work done.

Visualize Yourself Starting

The hardest part about studying or getting work done is actually getting started.
Force yourself to sit down and do work for 15 minutes, once you get going for a few minutes, you’ll be in a groove and you’ll get work done.

Take study breaks

Incorporate study breaks into your schedule.
The 50/10 rule is an effective method (50 minutes of work, 10 minutes of break).
The 90/20 rule is also very effective (90 minutes of work, 20 minutes of break).
This will help keep you focused and productive during “work time” and relaxed during “break time” by minimizing distractions. It will also help you absorb more information.

Try some of the tips mentioned above about motivation and focus to improve your overall wellness! In June we will talk about fitness. Keep up with our monthly articles to learn tips about how to improve your wellness and quality of life.