Learning how to stay motivated during lockdown has been a dance we’ve all had to become familiar with.
None of us could have foreseen how this year was going to go, let alone having two lockdowns!
When we had the first one I experienced a major dip in my motivation, which I’m sure was the case for many.
There’s a couple of key things I found to really help keep the motivation game strong, so when we entered this second lockdown I felt more prepared for it.
With that said, I’m quite ready for some resemblance of a normal life to carry on again and for us to leave this crazy year behind.
Here are 16 tips on how to stay motivated when in lockdown (or for life in general).
1. Celebrate The Little Things And Focus On The Positives In Your Life
Do you find you look at your phone first thing as you wake up and maybe scroll through social media or the news?
I used to do this often, but since COVID hit I have found it so beneficial to not look at my phone for at least 30 minutes after waking and to limit my news intake.
And when I do happen to look at some news, I make an effort to focus on some of the positive stories of recovery etc.
By doing this I’m able to really feel more optimistic and gratitude during my day.
I also make a conscious effort to celebrate small things throughout my day, for me, this could be my little one Pheebs creating a piece of art or someone from my team signing up a new Forever Business Owner.
2. Routine Is Key
I could not emphasise this point enough.
Regardless of you not having to actually leave your house, make sure you keep your daily routine going (or start one if you didn’t have one before!)
As tempting as it may be to work from bed, rather reserve these days for when you really need it, otherwise you’ll find yourself not being as productive as what you could be.
Get up at the same time you usually would (maybe even earlier) and get your day going with exercise or stretching and any other self-care activities you like to do before you start work or dealing with the kids.
Because I already worked from home, not much changed on that front for me during lockdown.
However, when I first starting working from home after corporate, there were huge adjustments I had to get used to. Cultivating a strong daily routine can make this transition a lot easier.
Watch this video for some inspiration as to why being an early riser can completely change your life.
3. Find The Ideal Workplace
How to stay motivated to work you ask? I find having an ideal workplace is the best solution to this.
As I mentioned above working from bed can seem novel at first but you’ll find that you’re way more productive and motivated when you have a dedicated work station to plonk yourself at.
If this means investing in a little desk and good quality chair to sit at — do it!
Not only will your posture thank you, but you will feel so much more inspired to get stuff done.
I love to work somewhere where there is good natural light. I also like to decorate my desk with plants and pictures of my family, as well as quotes that motivate me.
4. Move Your Body
This one ties in with having a routine. Make sure you move your body in some way, shape or form. The worst thing you can do (especially in a lockdown) is become stagnant.
There are so many fitness apps to choose from now, that working out at home has never been easier.
Forever also has a brilliant Forever F.I.T app that allows you to track your progress, access recipes and workouts and tons more–I use it when I’m doing a C9 Cleanse.
I’ve found that lockdown has been a great time for me to do a cleanse as I’m not so tempted to steer off course by social engagements.
5. Embrace Your Emotions
We are living in unprecedented times, it’s okay to not feel okay. If there’s one thing I learnt from this year it’s that we have to just embrace our emotions and not bottle them up or numb them out.
Be vulnerable, share how you’re feeling, speak openly about what’s on your heart with your family and invite them to share too.
By doing this you allow yourself to truly feel and acknowledge your emotions and by sharing you will see how others are likely feeling the same as you.
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6. Stay Connected With Your Loved Ones
Often when life can feel too much it’s easy to retreat inward and not want to engage much, but the best thing you can do is stay connected with family and friends.
In a time that has made us feel disconnected through social distancing, it’s up to us to make an effort to keep those connections strong.
Just a simple text saying “How are you? Thinking of you” can really make someone’s day.
7. Look After Your Mental Health
As important as it is to look after your physical body it’s just as imperative to look after your mental health.
Spend time in nature, so if you have a garden at home do some gardening or just walk barefoot on the grass. Even just sitting in the sun for 15 minutes can do wonders for your soul.
8. Find A Purpose During This Time
For many, this year felt like being dropped in a forest with no clear direction of which way to get out.
One thing that this year has given all of us is perspective.
Use this pandemic and extra time to really discover what it is you love and are passionate about.
You can do this by trying out many different things to get a feel for what resonates with you.
For me, it’s helping people and this is what I get to do by building a Forever Living business.
I’ve witnessed so many women create so much from nothing and live out their dreams they never initially thought would be possible — other than my family — this is my WHY and motivation that drives me.
9. Set Small, Realistic Goals That You Can Reach Daily and Weekly
Having big goals is important but it would be impossible to reach those if you don’t first start with the steps (smaller goals) to get there.
Tony Robbins, one of the world’s most well-known motivational speakers and personal development coaches, says: “A major source of stress in our lives comes from the feeling that we have an impossible number of things to do. If you take on a project and try to do the whole thing all at once, you’re going to be overwhelmed.”
And the best way to combat these feelings of overwhelm is with a concept called “chunking”. This is when you break down each goal into the smallest realistic steps and do only one of them at a time.
Neuroscience shows us that each small success triggers the brain’s reward centre, releasing feel-good chemical dopamine. This helps focus our concentration and inspires us to take another similar step.
10. Less Is More
I have found that one of the best ways to get myself feeling motivated and productive is by clearing out my house. Chuck out anything that you no longer need.
In the words of Marie Kondo, if it doesn’t bring you joy, get rid of it. By cleaning your house you can clean your mind!
Lockdown gave me some time to do this and I’m so grateful because it helped me get so much more organised.
Don’t wait for a lockdown to get this done, just start today!
11. Take This Time To Discover Yourself
What do you enjoy most? What have you always wanted to try or what hobbies did you love doing but stopped due to life getting in the way?
If there’s one thing that this pandemic has given us, it’s time and lots of it. The excuse of not having time has literally flown out the window.
My daughter Rosie, and her best friend Georgie, have taken this time to start their very own business, Blondie & Brownie (making brownies and chocolate reindeers) to keep themselves busy — and absolutely smashing it! * proud mum alert!
Bring out the paints or pottery clay, build something with your hands or put that jigsaw puzzle together.
There really has been no better time than now to discover what you like and what brings you joy.
12. Switch Off
Take some time to properly switch off and do a digital detox. It’s so easy to get caught up in social media and I have often found myself consumed by all the differing opinions about things.
When I can tune out from all the noise I am finally able to hear my own thoughts and come back and refocus on what’s really important in my life.
13. Personal Development Through Reading, Videos And Podcasts
Life would be pretty meaningless if we stayed the same and never made any effort to evolve.
Spending time on your own self-development is probably one of the best things you could be doing for yourself right now.
Read books, listen to podcasts or watch YouTube videos that can expand you and give you more perspective and knowledge on life.
This can be a great way to support yourself, your family and even your business, especially through hard times.
14. Stay Present
It’s so easy to live in the past or in the future, but all that we can be completely certain of is this very moment right now.
The best way to stay present is to invite more mindfulness into your day.
As an example, when you’re reading a book to your little one, make sure you’re not thinking about a million other things, really practise full focused presence when you’re with them.
15. Plan And Set Your Priorities
Learning how to stay motivated working from home can be tricky if you’re not prepared. Working from home has its advantages, but there can be some downsides too.
Spend some time at the beginning of the day or the evening before to plan your day and with exactly what you’re going to do and set the priorities of the tasks.
As important as it is to set your tasks for the day, it’s equally as important to make sure you end at a reasonable hour.
It’s easy to just keep on working when you’re already at home, but it’s important to have that work life balance.
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16. Visualise The Big Picture
Firstly, keep your eye on your WHY and then one step outside of that remember to see the bigger picture always.
Sometimes we can take life too seriously, remember what’s truly important and have fun!
The Dalai Lama puts life into perspective so perfectly.
When asked what surprised him most about humanity, he answered, “Man.”
Why?
“Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never to die, and then dies having never really lived.”
Get inspired by these “15 Badass Women in Business Every Working Mum Can Learn From”
Onwards And Upwards As They Say!
Onwards and upwards! Let’s use 2020 as a springboard into greatness for 2021 and beyond!
I hope this will be the last lockdown UK faces, but wherever you may be and whatever the situation is, look after yourself and keep safe.
And remember, when you find that motivation is lagging, come back to what inspires you!
I truly hope these tips have served you as much as they have me. Please feel free to share in the comments below and ask me any questions.
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With love,
Nat
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