11 Simple Ways to Boost Motivation and Get Things Done

In this article

• Key points: Why motivation usually follows action instead of the other way around, and 11 practical ways to motivate yourself when your energy is low.
• Who it's for: You, if you have a goal you care about (a savings goal, a project, a fresh start) but keep putting off the first step.
• What you'll walk away with: One strategy to try this week and one small action to start it today.

It's 7 p.m. The to-do list is still long. You had a plan this morning: open that savings account, update your resume, finally finish the project you started in March. Now the couch looks a lot more appealing.

If that sounds familiar, nothing is wrong with you. Everyone hits a wall, whether you're chasing a big dream or just trying to get through Tuesday.

Here's the good news: self-motivation is a skill. Like any skill, you can build it. Let's break down how to motivate yourself, one small move at a time.

Why you can't wait for motivation to show up

Most of us treat motivation like the weather. Some days it's there, some days it isn't, and we wait to see which kind of day it is before we start.

But motivation works the other way around more often than you'd think. Action tends to create motivation, not just follow it. Once you start, even for five minutes, the next step usually feels easier.

That's why self-motivation sits at the meeting point of two of The Seven Pillars of Personal Investment: Faith (your mindset and beliefs) and Success (vision made measurable). You need a mindset that lets you start, and a goal clear enough to know you're moving.

You don't have to feel ready to begin. Beginning is what helps you feel ready.