Have you ever struggled with staying motivated in difficult times? 

I mean those moments when you feel really down with multiple “what ifs” running through your mind;

• What if I try again and still fail?
• What if nobody really cares?
• What if I am just wasting my time? 

You search through from within for even a tiny form of motivation but they all seem to have gone for leave at that moment. 

I can relate to this so don’t worry if you’re in this situation because in this article, we’ll be exploring some effective ways to boost motivation, helping you stay focused and driven.

11 Effective Ways to Boost Motivation in Difficult Times 

Let’s dive in: 

1. Do Something You Enjoy 

Engaging in activities we don’t like can be frustrating and demotivating and it’s advisable at this time. If you haven’t done something you enjoy doing, you may want to consider doing it now because it is one of the very effective ways to boost motivation. 

Read a book, play a game, see a movie, make and eat a meal you like, just think of something you enjoy doing and do it. 

You might even go for a short vacation as it is one of the proven ways to boost motivation when you feel like giving up. You don’t necessarily have to spend so much to go on a short vacation; you can go with family, that way, you also draw strength from their presence. Here’s a guide to planning a family vacation on a budget.

2. Stay Present and Positive 

Rather than filling your head with all the negativities you can think of, stay positive, think of the positive sides. Stop worrying about the past that could draw you back and demotivate you from moving forward and focus on the present and make it count. 

If it means going to places that help you see and appreciate the beautiful things of life and how blessed you are to be where you are, then don’t hesitate going there. It could be the beach, the park, or even visiting websites or social media platforms that resonate with you and help you stay present and positive. 

3. Set Small Goals 

Setting small goals is one of the good ways to boost motivation and low energy levels. When you have a lengthy goal or daily to-do list, it can be overwhelming, so you set a small realistic goal that can be achieved without doing or thinking too much. 

Achieving a goal gives you a sense of accomplishment which will boost your motivation to do a little more.

4. Celebrate Your Wins

This is a way to remind yourself of the positive impacts of your efforts. Recognise and celebrate your accomplishments no matter how small they are. 

Do not ignore your efforts and achievements. Celebrating your wins can positively and largely improve your motivation.

5. Create a Positive Environment 

Build yourself to see the positive in everything, cultivate a positive mindset. Surround yourself with everything positive and motivational; friends, family, music, books, even some motivational quotes will do the trick. 

Looking at things from a positive angle will always be soul lifting. At this moment, it will do you a lot of good to get away from people and things that steer the negativity around you.

6. Talk to a Friend/ Seek Accountability

Having someone you can talk to when you feel down is one core way to boost motivation and feel better. Talk to a trusted person about your goals, challenges and progress, and let them give their support to you. 

Sharing your feelings with someone when you are experiencing low energy can help in reviving your motivation.

7. Reconnect With Your Whys

Find your underlying purpose for pursuing your goals, it will help you to be more driven to achieve your goals. 

When you reconnect with your whys, it will help you to not only remember the work you do but to also remember the positive impacts of your work in people’s lives and how it makes life a little easier for them.

8. Volunteer 

Sometimes staying within our means makes us forget what we have. When you volunteer with either an orphanage, hospitals or non- governmental organisations, you’ll see how much some people struggle to have even a little out of the lifestyle you live. 

This in turn will make you more appreciative of your efforts and privileges, it drives you to want to do more. 

According to study, 93% of people who volunteered in activities confirmed that volunteering improved their mood and lowered their stress levels. 

9. Break Your Routine/Do Something fun

Leave your comfort zone and work table when you are feeling down and take a break to walk around your street, watch the sunset and the moon. You’ll be surprised at how much these little actions can help lift your energy. 

You don’t necessarily need to have anywhere or anything in mind, you could walk out of your house and join the kids playing football, hide and seek etc and you feel lively again. 

Engaging in some fun activities is one of the effective ways to boost motivation as it takes your mind off your burdens for the moment and allows you some opportunity to rewind, refresh your mind and restrategize.

10. Learn From Failures 

Instead of dwelling in failures, learn from them and use them to grow and do better. Think of the things you didn’t get right and what to do differently and better. 

You have the exceptional chance to examine your tactics and approaches and make necessary adjustments till you achieve the desired result each time your mistake results in failure.

11. Seek for Support 

Asking for more help could be a good idea if you continue to feel unmotivated and overwhelmed by the problems of juggling everything that is going on around you. 

It’s possible that you need someone to talk to or that you need to temporarily rearrange your job or responsibilities. 

Asking for support is a sign of self-awareness and it helps to reduce the amount of mistakes we make and could make out of exhaustion and lack of motivation. 

4 Benefits of Staying Motivated 

• Greater Innovations: Staying motivated increases creativity and productivity. When you are motivated, even your interpersonal skills increase.

• Health and Wellbeing: Staying motivated is no doubt a good way to boost mental health and physical wellbeing, it increases our confidence levels and gives a sense of purpose.

• Clarity: Motivation increases your goal setting skills. It helps you gain more clarity on your set goals, the benefits of achieving them and what you stand to lose by not doing them.

• Growth: Staying motivated allows you the chance for self development, time management, and good self confidence.

Motivation is a driving force to achieving greater goals. When we set goals and achieve them, it motivates us to expand and explore more.

Check out quotes to enhance your motivation 

Final Thoughts on Ways to Boost Motivation

Staying motivated can be really disconcerting especially in difficult times. However, it is an essential thing to do in order to achieve our goals.

You’ll be more prepared to overcome challenges and accomplish your goals even in the midst of hardship if you put these effective ways to boost motivation into practice.

But most importantly, remain positive, concentrate on your why, and acknowledge and appreciate your little wins along the way.

Frequently Asked Questions on Ways to Boost Motivation 

How do I Stay Motivated When Nothing Around Me is Encouraging?

Search within yourself and you’ll find your motivation. Move away from your surroundings and look for places, people and environment that will help boost your motivation.

How do I get Started?

You get started by starting immediately. You don’t wait to be ready or have it all, you don’t wait for the best time as there is nothing as such. Start where you are and with what you have.

How do I motivate someone? 

Motivating another person is something that has to start with “you”. There is a quote that says “Be the change you want to see”, you have to take this quote to heart. 

You should be the motivation the person needs. All the great leaders in the world that we see and read from and about today were spurred by their relentless spirits and belief in their capabilities. 

People are driven and moved by clarity. When that clarity and certainty is seen in you, they’ll be attracted by your zeal and enthusiasm.