My 3-Step Ritual to Break Low-Motivation

On Friday I sent an email about different eras of motivation. Sometimes motivation is so strong it’s hard to stop, other times you have to force yourself to make it happen. One tool I constantly go back to is my hype playlist.

You know those songs that, when they come on, you suddenly feel full of energy, happier, more hyped up? Whenever a song like that comes on, I put it in a playlist. On those days when time is running out, the task needs to get done, but it’s the last thing I want to do, I have a little ritual I use to snap into action.

I have this on a post-it on my computer monitor:

1. Become aware of your current state. Even name it.
2. Interrupt the pattern. Stand up, shake out your body, move around.
3. Try to feel the state you want to be in.

Once I’ve done that and committed to doing the thing, I put on this playlist. The pattern of lack of motivation has been interrupted, then the music brings it home. I can honestly say it works for me every time.

— Bus