How to Stay Motivated

Motivation is a key aspect of our lives. Without it, we would have a challenging time making it through each day.

But during these unprecedented times, staying motivated every day is harder than ever before.

So, what can we do to stay motivated through our daily routine?

One thing that works for me is feeling good about myself. That means eating healthy, exercising, and resting.

Eating healthy doesn’t have to mean to be on an extreme diet or skip any meals. On the contrary, you shouldn’t miss or avoid a meal. A nice breakfast will prepare you to get started. A generous lunch will give you the energy you need for the rest of your day, and a light but nutritious dinner will help you to sleep better.

Of course, you can’t forget about snacks. You should have at least one at mid-morning and another at mid-afternoon. Nuts, dried fruits, and yogurt are three great snacks that will help you get from one meal to the next.

Coffee!! This is a major must for me to start my day. I don’t really need more coffee than the one I have with my breakfast to feel completely awake and ready to get started. If you don’t like coffee, it can be tea or any other beverage that helps you feel energized.

As freelance translators, we spend most of our time sitting down in front of the computer. That’s why it is so important to keep yourself active throughout the day.

I start by exercising for 30 minutes every day, after breakfast, and before taking a shower. I do a mix of cardio, abs, elliptical machine, and weighs. I know it doesn’t sound as much, but this routine gets me going, and showering right afterwards feels amazing!

Throughout the day, I stand up at least every half an hour and walk around my workspace for a few minutes. This helps me to rest from the computer screen and sitting down for long periods of time. I also do some stretching and breathing exercises.

By rest, I don’t refer just to sleep. Yes, we need to have a good night’s sleep to feel good the next day; even a nap can help those who can manage to have one. But it also means resting from being sitting down and in front of the computer, taking enough time to have lunch, and making sure that we don’t end our day too late, and have time to disconnect from work.

Listening to music while I work also keeps me motivated! I know it might sound a bit crazy, but listening to music and podcasts help me keep more focused on my work.

Another important thing is to have a workplace that you like and makes you feel comfortable. Make sure to decorate your space with things you enjoy, like plants, paintings, notes, pictures, anything that makes you feel happy whenever you go inside.

Of course, loving what you do is already half the battle won to keep motivated. When you have a job that you don’t like or even loath, nothing and no one will ever motivate you.

Also, make sure to take some “me” time. Whether it is having a spa day at home, or going out for a walk, or unwinding at the beach, taking care of ourselves is primordial to be motivated.

Although these tips might help you, you must figure out what keeps you motivated. Working from home and not having a boss or colleagues might make us feel unmotivated because there isn’t anyone telling us how great we are doing. We need to learn to do that ourselves; we don’t need other people telling us how great we are (except for our clients, of course!), we can do that by trying different things that might help us achieve it.

What motivates you? How do you keep yourself motivated? Please share your tips and experiences in the comments, and don’t forget to subscribe to my blog.

Until the next time, take care and stay safe!