It’s true when they say that we are not our achievements or our wealth. We are also not defined by our output or productivity levels, especially when we’re all just trying to survive a pandemic. However, we can’t let these truths get in the way of doing what we can to achieve our dreams despite the obstacles and hardships.
Knowing our value as people and working hard to achieve our dreams are not mutually exclusive; in fact,it’sbecausewe know our value and what we deserve that we should be motivated to hustle and grind for our dreams.It’sa tension that we can live with and walk on.
If the COVID-19 crisis has caused you to lose sight of your long-term goals and lifelong dreams, here are some practical tips to motivate yourself to get back on track and work hard for your goals.
Remember why you started.
Why did you start this business venture? Why are you in your current profession? What will propel you forward when the going gets toughis to rememberwhy you started in the first place. If you kept a diary, read back on why you ended up in your current job or business.
Look through your financial goals. Why did you set them, and how far along are you in achieving them? It doesn’t matter if it’s as simple as putting food on your family’s table. Nothing will motivate you more than remembering the purpose upon which you started this venture or job.
Surround yourself with visual representations of your goals.
What motivates you to earn as much as you can? Is it pictures of stunning houses with big backyards and fiberglass swimming pools? How about a picture of your family or the people that you love? It can also be motivational quotes and sayings. No matter what it is, make sure that your workspace is inundated with items that remind you of your goals and dreams and why you want to work hard in the first place.
Take control of your day.
Studies show that people who start their day early tend to find more success in their lives. This is becausepeople who rise early are more proactive. They are more likely to foresee potential issues and how to mitigate them as early and as efficiently as possible-a trait that can certainly grant you more success regardless of your endeavor.
No matter how hard it is, try waking up as early as you can and create a healthy morning routine. Do some stretching and meditation, or maybe you can go on a jog or take your dog for a walk. Cook a hearty but healthy breakfast for your and your family. If you work flexible hours, try to finish your tasks as early as you can. Remind yourself that if you start early, you can also rest early. Make a work-less evening your motivation to start and finish your day as early as possible.
Find a productivity method that works for you.
Some people swear by the Pomodoro Method, which is 25 minutes of working, 5 minutes of resting, repeat. Others swear by apps that help them focus. There are also productivity tools like breaking up one’s tasks into smaller tasks, similar to the Pomodoro Method, but they don’t use set minutes or time.The Pareto Principle is also one that many people use, which is all about focusing on and prioritizing the 20 percent of one’s projects and tasks that provide the highest impact.
Because not everyone is the same, not all of these tools will work for all of us. Choose the productivity method or tool that works best for you and incorporate it into your workday.
Know your boundaries.
There’s a reason why “work hard, not smart” has become a mantra for workers worldwide.To truly achieve your goals, you can’t work yourself to the bone and neglect your physical and mental health in the process. Your success shouldn’t come at the expense of your general well-being. This is where working smart comes in-it’s all about knowing how to manage your time, knowing your limits, and respecting your body enough to know when it’s time to rest so that you can give it your all again tomorrow.
Final Thoughts
The key to working smart and not hard is to workfromour value, notforit. Know that you are already enough as a person, and that is all you need to reach your goals. Good luck!
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