What Do You Do to Motivate Yourself?
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Reading another post on here, it seems a lot of us are finding it hard to get motivated this lockdown. What are your ways to help yourself get going? I read in a magazine a few years ago that one way is to tell yourself that you'll do something for 10 minutes then stop. I do this with housework tasks and it works well. I often find I do it for longer than 10 minutes. It's the getting started that's hardest.
Mindfulness. I tend to look at myself from the outside- in. I usually do this when I feel vacant on the inside. After recognizing why you feel the way you do and refuse to feel depleted you pull yourself back out of that rut and push through. It's all about the mental state. Doing something everyday you enjoy, even if it's so small - makes the world of difference.
It’s music all the way for me. I can motivate myself to do just about anything with the right music.
cocolgooh good idea. My husband listens to the news in the morning but I would much prefer Classic fm.
Grannyclock My household are the same - always putting the news on when I’d prefer music!
I give my head a wobble and remind myself there are 100k+ who would love to be here and doing. Works for me. I’m grateful I’m alive.
Yoola I love the idea of giving your head a wobble! But yes we are the lucky ones.
I like making lists, I find them quite motivating. I make lists for all kinds of things, then I can tick things off as I go and that makes me feel like I'm making progress, plus it helps to keep me organized too.
I find sowing seeds and potting them on etc very therapeutic . Not only something to do ( with choosing seed ,compost etc ) but as you do it you somehow leap forward to Spring, Summer in your mind . Looking forward to how the veg will taste and how the flowers will look .
I'm lucky to have a garden but you can do the same on a smaller scale on your windowsill 
Golfforall I agree entirely! Sowing seeds is an investment in the future. Little bit early for me as I haven’t got a proper greenhouse but I am really looking forward to seed sowing.
Going for a walk every day without any interruption gives me motivation. Just a walk with no shopping involved.
GSM walking is so good for you. We have to keep reminding ourselves to go as there’s always something else to do but we do exercise every day.
For me personally I either play my piano or do something else I enjoy, such as playing on my Xbox one, watching something I enjoy, playing some football
Stevo1283 how lovely to have a skill like piano playing. What sort of music do you play?
Grannyclock It honestly depends on the mood im in, i like to play classical or just normal songs, i normally play it in the morning as a kick starter to my day to get my day going.
This week I'm free but I'm having to do as much house work as possible in breaks from homeschooling.
I find it hardest to motivate myself when I see others in household doing nothing productive
Imnotcheap definitely! Good luck with the home schooling. Hopefully not for too long now.
Keeping them safe is most important it's great seeing how much they can do Grannyclock
I tell myself that the more stuff I get out of the way now, the more time I'll have to spend on stuff I'll enjoy more when I can get to do it.
Grannyclock Thanks ... well I genuinely do try to do that but having said that ... I still have 3 Christmas letters to write and send so I needn't start feeling too complacent!
I lost a brother when he died in his sleep. I motivate myself each day by waking up with a smile and a thank you for another day with my beautiful wife and amazing children.
stuartsmith544 that’s lovely! We all need to appreciate what we have. I always think that being content is as important as being happy.
Grannyclock many people now believe there is a link between gratitude and happiness/wellbeing. Taking a moment everyday to be grateful is supposed to increase happiness and protect against stress and depression.
I carry a photo of my wife and son everywhere I go. My motivation is to keep fighting whatever the hurdles may be, I do it for them, and they would do the same for me.
Oh dear, I seem to have read the original post all wrong, I've been telling myself to do something for 10 minutes every day and stopped after nothing was getting done, tomorrow I might try doing the task.... 
It is difficult this time of year, to be honest I do what is needed to be done putting most things off until the spring. I find doing things with someone is a lot easier that doing them alone.
Go out walking and keeping busy as lost 7 stone and want to keep it off as feel better for it
I go out most days for a three hour walk, weather permitting. It helps you to keep healthy and clears your head. Or keep yourself busy by gardening. 
Go to the gym and do 2 Zumba classes a week the Latino music motivates me it great!
emilytodd363 I’m with you on this one. I go to three classes a week and always feel better for having gone. I do 10 minutes of Joe Wicks every day with my husband too.
emilytodd363 we do the Seniors ones and have done since lockdown. Before that my husband wouldn’t do any workout type exercise.
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