How to Renew Your Motivation

An overwhelming amount of chores or work can deplete your motivation, which increases stress and anxiety levels. The key to renewed motivation is breaking down difficult tasks into small steps that are easy to moderate in difficulty. On a more basic level, what you eat also plays a part in how motivated you are, as your diet can interfere with your mental abilities and result in depression or moodiness. Create a balance of a healthy diet and task organization to help renew your motivation.

Instructions

• 1

  Set a time that is dedicated solely to studying, working or whatever you may need to do. During this task-specific dedicated time, turn off cell phones, TVs and other devices that may distract you from your task.

• 2

  Write down the big task you want to accomplish. Create a sublist of three to four smaller tasks that make up the larger task, and rate the tasks from easy to moderate. Tackle the issues based on the level of difficulty. Starting with moderately difficult tasks may motivate you to continue and finish the smaller tasks, or the opposite might be true. Create realistic goals in order to improve the probability of completion.

• 3

  Reward yourself when you complete a task. A small treat such as your favorite food, an hour of TV or a small purchase can motivate you to work on the task again.

• 4

  Limit caffeine and sugar consumption. While these chemicals provide a temporary boost, they eventually take a toll on your energy levels once your body processes them. Excessive amounts of caffeine cause anxiety, so avoid overcaffeinating yourself to improve motivation and concentration. Switch from coffee and espresso drinks to black or green teas, which have lower caffeine amounts, yet still provide a "pickup" without the anxiety that can be generated by too much coffee.

• 5

  Eat fruits, vegetables and protein-rich foods to maintain mental and physical energy. Protein is found in dairy and animal products. Your body uses the protein for energy, which is necessary for maintaining your motivation and concentration when studying for long periods.

• 6

  Exercise for 30 minutes daily. Running, brisk walking or aerobic exercise for 30 minutes a day releases endorphins, chemicals in the brain that improve your mood and aid in motivation and concentration.