5 Ways to Tackle Demotivation and Re-Motivate Yourself

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Feeling demotivated is horrible. As a start-up entrepreneur, it is something I often face. It’s not as glamorous as it may seem – there’s rejection, financial challenge, curve balls and competition. There is a reason why they call it the ‘start-up grind’. And on that basis, I would like to think that I am now well versed in tackling it and motivating myself. So, here are my five top tips to help you get motivated again. These should work regardless of your situation – whether a student, a working professional, someone on the job-hunt, an entrepreneur or even if you are finding motivation difficult in your personal life! Follow these five steps to re-booting your motivation levels.

1. Get Up and Do Something
This is the single most effective way to re-ignite your flame, get the spark back, psych yourself up and all those other cliched terms for drive, ambition and motivation! It may sound obvious, but it is true. Get up and do something. Something, anything. Just do something you haven’t done before, haven’t done recently or something that gives you enjoyment. Doing something will help you to feel productive and deserving of reward. It’s easy to feel low when things don’t go the way you want them to or when you aren’t doing anything. The easiest way to change that is to do something! If you are sat at your desk, then get up and go for a walk. If you are struggling to find inspiration, look at things a different way. Take a step back. Try it another way. Don’t be afraid to take risk. Do whatever you have to do to get up and do something!

2. Don’t Compare Yourself
Perfection is almost always a myth and it’s been fuelled by the advent of social media. Don’t believe that anybody’s life is perfect – it’s a lie. As for situations – sure, they can sometimes be perfect but not often and when there are perfect situations they often don’t last. We can easily become demotivated when we see competitors succeeding, old classmates climbing the career ladder and friends relaxing on a beach in a seemingly perfect world, but don’t let it get to you. The fact is that almost nothing in life is perfect. Don’t compare yourself to situations and successes of others. There will always be those out there who are more successful, wealthy and fortunate. You can’t win if you compare yourself with others. So, just don’t. Instead, focus on what you have and the successes in your own life. Think of your achievements and be proud of them.

3. Push Through the Struggles
There are times in our lives when we simply must push through the struggles and keep moving forward. Even if you can’t see the point or don’t understand why, don’t give up. This is perhaps one of the hardest things to do because, by its very nature, it’s demotivating. When we can’t see the point, we have a tendency to give up. But I can promise you that in not giving up you are succeeding. Remind yourself why you started something. Results are often not instantaneous. Again, with social media, we’ve been taught that there are “quick fixes”, “quick wins” and “instant results” – it’s another lie. Have faith and keep going!

4. Be Open About Demotivation – It’s Okay
I’m guilty of this one. Not talking about demotivation is actually a bad thing! It’s amazing how many people feel demotivated and in speaking about how you are feeling, you will realise you are not alone. And in realising you are not alone this can actually help you to feel motivated again. In one survey from Gallup, statistics show that only 15% of the global workforce is engaged. And sure, engagement and motivation aren’t necessarily the same thing, but they do go hand-in-hand. You are not the only one feeling demotivated. Speak up. Whether it’s talking to a friend, a colleague, your manager or a mentor – speaking about it will help.

5. Rediscover Inspiration
How did you first become inspired to do what you are doing? What is it that gives you inspiration in your work, in your personal life, in your studies? Why are you doing what you are doing? We all have triggers of inspiration – whether they be in people we’ve spoken to, films we have watched, stories we have read or public figures we admire. Remind yourself why you are doing what you are doing and rediscover the things that have initially inspired you. It is easy to lose sight of the end goal when you are in the midst of a demotivating slump, and that’s why it is so important to go back to the start and rediscover that inspiration which lead you to where you are.

So, there you have it. Five tips to help motivate yourself again. Remember, demotivation is normal and nothing to be ashamed of. In recognising demotivation, you’ve already started on the path to motivating yourself once more! Good luck. Here’s to an amazing day ahead.