Finding the Boost of Motivation You Need to Step Your Game Up

The new year has come and gone so quickly. Some of us have moved beyond our resolutions and gotten started with our goals, only to get bogged down by unforeseen challenges. What we may need is simple… motivation!

Instead of reeling off a bunch of clichés that are supposed to inspire us, let's just be real. The fastest way to regain our motivation is to admit, at the end of the day we are all human, It’s okay to not feel excited about our graduate studies every day. It's ok to need a break. It's ok to feel down and seek help. It's fine to acknowledge academia can be toxic and that toxicity is impacting you. We

How can you find the motivation you need to step your game up in the new year? Here are some tips that can get your energy back

1. Take time to discover what works for you!

The internet is chock-full of blogs that feature hacks that will supposedly boost your productivity. We try them and eventually get frustrated when they don't work. The key question lingers- "Why didn't those hacks work? Is something wrong with me?" Nothing is wrong with you. Those hacks simply worked for the people who wrote that blog, not you! Instead of frantically trying hacks, instead, take a step back and reflect on what has actually worked for you in the past. Think about the time you've made some mistakes or faced some challenges, then write down all the resources you needed or the things you needed to do to overcome those challenges. Prepare yourself by making sure you have all those resources in place before you start writing. Finally, do some lived experiments to determine which schedules, habits, and resources work for you before creating a system for yourself. The Time Management section in the Dissertation Lab app can help you determine what routines will empower you to finish your writing immediately without stress.

2. Set realistic goals.

As much as we wish it could happen, things aren’t going to change overnight. You might be feeling panicked about where you are, but change only happens incrementally. You may want to watch the lectures on writing a chapter in a month to help you break down your article or chapter into increments, and then tackle those sections as smaller, measurable goals. The smaller the goal is, the more attainable it will be. The more you reach your goals, the more motivated you will be to continue.

3. Share your commitments publicly.

You don’t have to get on a stage and scream to the top of your lungs, but you do need to share it with friends and family. This will be extremely helpful, especially if you typically lack motivation. You don’t want to let those around you down, by not sticking to your goals. The ones that care about your success won’t allow you to lose sight of what’s in front of you and definitely want you to stay motivated.

Move beyond fears and procrastination.

When we lack motivation or are procrastinating, we could potentially be afraid of something or suppressing other challenging emotions. Procrastination usually masks bad working habits, depression, the need for self-care (like regular exercise), or a host of other issues. The first step is determining why you're procrastinating or are afraid. Dr. Mitchell's viral article on beating procrastination can help you get to the root of why you are stuck and how to move forward. If you realize additional instruction is what you need to get through the dissertation process, download the Dissertation Lab asap to access those videos now!