Tips for staying motivated when you’re feeling low

Meet the wonderful Emma!

Whether it’s the colder winter months, a busy work schedule or the threat of looming lockdowns – it can be hard to keep up the enthusiasm when there’s so much stress and uncertainty in the air (not to mention all that time spent indoors). To help put a little spring back in your step, we spoke to one of our favourite motivators, Emma Norris, who never fails to bring the good vibes or challenge our perspectives when times are tough. As an imperfect action coach, author and founder of Progress Coaching, Emma has shared her favourite tips to use whenever you’re looking to feel good, inside and out.  

Hit ‘reset’

“Sometimes, all you need to pull yourself out of a slump is a circuit breaker – like a metaphorical shock to the system, or a change to your routine that forces you into a new headspace and energy. This can be as minor as taking a shower or moving your body to music, going for a walk with a friend, or eating a nutritious meal. These can all be a great way to hit ‘reset’ on your day and give it a do-over.”

Reconnect with your ‘why’

“Let’s face it – most of us don’t choose to pound the pavement, clean the house, or work on a side project at night just for the fun of it. Usually, when we don’t feel motivated to complete the tasks that will bring us closer to our goals, it’s because we’ve lost sight of the bigger picture. Take some time to reconnect with why you wanted to complete that goal in the first place. Maybe it was so you could feel strong and fit when looking after your family, or so you could experience the freedom of working for yourself? Spend some time getting back in touch with the vision behind your goal and you’ll reignite that motivation.”

Don’t rely solely on motivation

“Ever find yourself saying ‘I just don’t feel motivated?’ The good news is you don’t need to be! The truth is, even the most successful people don’t feel motivated every minute of every day. Just like time and energy, motivation isn’t a limitless resource. When you’re lacking motivation, try to fall back on your habits and disciplines instead. Movement breeds motivation – so if you just start taking action even when you really don’t feel like it, you’ll more often than not find things are nowhere near as bad as you thought, and you’ll keep going.”

Get inspired

“While social media comes with its challenges, there’s no denying it can be an excellent source of inspiration and motivation. When you’re in a rut, it can be extremely powerful to see other people doing the tasks you’re putting off, whether it’s getting ready for their day, or doing a workout. This can create an almost mirror-like effect where we think ‘hey, they’re doing that, I can too!’ Spend some time watching those on social media, Youtube or even listening to podcasts that make you feel energised. Just make sure you stick to people who you find inspiring yet relatable. The last thing you want is to end up in a comparison cycle.”

Take one small step

“When you’re feeling out of sorts, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the things you feel like you ‘should’ be doing. The result? You get stuck in what I call ‘self-sabotage quicksand’ and end up doing nothing at all. The key here is to prioritise progress over perfection. Think about the smallest action you can take to feeling better again, whether it’s making your bed, or drinking a delicious, healthy juice. These small actions can create a snowball effect and build the momentum to keep taking action.”

To check out more of Emma’s advice or learn about the benefits of imperfect action, head to https://progresscoaching.co.