Today was a day where everything seemed to be a struggle. I sat at my desk, staring at my computer screen, trying to muster up the motivation to tackle my planning and admin work. But my mind kept wandering, and I found myself daydreaming, feeling down for not being productive.
I tried to force myself to focus, but the more I tried, the more my mind resisted. I felt frustrated and defeated, wondering why I couldn’t just snap out of it and get to work.
Then I remembered something a friend had told me: “There will be days like these, and that’s okay. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself.”
I realised that sometimes, feeling unmotivated and struggling to focus is a natural part of the creative process. Our minds need time to wander and process ideas in order to come up with new and innovative solutions.
So I took a deep breath and decided to take my time. I told myself that it was okay to take breaks, to let my mind wander, to not be perfect. In fact, research shows that taking regular breaks throughout the day can actually increase productivity and creativity in the long run.
I started small, tackling one task at a time. And I found that as I accomplished each task, my motivation grew. I began to feel a sense of accomplishment, even if it was just small wins.
As the day went on, I looked back at what I had achieved, and although it wasn’t everything I had hoped to accomplish, it was a “good enough” amount of work for the day. And that was okay.
I learned that sometimes, the best thing we can do is to take a step back, take a deep breath, and give ourselves permission to not be perfect. It’s okay to have “off” days, as long as we don’t let them define us. By practicing self-compassion and acknowledging that we all have limitations, we can be more productive and fulfilled in the long run.
And so, I closed my laptop, feeling a sense of relief and contentment. I had taken care of what needed to be done, and tomorrow was a new day, full of possibilities.
The key takeaway from this experience is that it’s important to be gentle with ourselves and acknowledge that we all have days where we don’t feel motivated or productive. When we put too much pressure on ourselves to perform at our best all the time, we can end up feeling overwhelmed and burnt out.
Instead, we can reframe our mindset and see “off” days as an opportunity to take a step back and recharge. By giving ourselves permission to take breaks and focus on self-care, we can come back to our work with renewed energy and perspective.
Furthermore, it’s important to recognise that our sense of self-worth is not tied to our productivity or accomplishments. We are valuable and deserving of love and respect, regardless of how much we get done in a day.
Incorporating self-compassion and self-care into our daily routines can also help us to cultivate a more positive and resilient mindset. When we practice self-compassion, we are more likely to bounce back from setbacks and challenges, and approach our work with a growth mindset.
So the next time you’re feeling unmotivated or unproductive, remember to be gentle with yourself and take the time you need to recharge. Trust that you will come back stronger and more creative than ever before. And most importantly, don’t forget to celebrate your small wins along the way.