Demotivation. It strikes when we least need it.

Dread. The feeling you have when something you’re not looking forward to lies ahead.

What’s the result? A whole bucketful of negativity, that’s what.

No no no no, my friend. I know how demotivation feels and it is awful (sometimes it links hands with anxiety, too, and that’s even worse). But today, I’m going to show you how to break out of the bars holding you back and get yourself pumped for any situation in life.

Tip #1: Motivate yourself.

I mean, seriously. Be your own source of positivity. Do whatever it takes to get yourself excited about whatever you need to do, whether it’s homework, study, work, anything. Watch motivational videos if it helps. Talk to yourself in the mirror. Say, “I CAN DO THIS.” Aloud, in your head, it doesn’t matter. Tell yourself – drum it in yourself – that you’ve got this and you’ll crush whatever it is you need to do like a boss.

How else can you do this? Encouraging messages. Stick Post-it notes on your mirror, your laptop, anywhere where you are bound to see it. At this point in time, I have a blue Post-it note on my laptop that reads, You’ve got this with a smiley face.

While it’s not always possible to be positive all the time, you’re not getting yourself anywhere if you try to drown in negativity. Maybe that’s a little harsh, but it’s true. You don’t have to go all sunshine and rainbows, but just believing that you can do or go through whatever it is you need to do can go a pretty long way.

Tip #2: Get support.

Can’t be your own source of positivity 24/7? That’s totally okay. Get support from the people you love. Your best friend, your family, your dog. It’s completely up to you.

If you’re organized, you could just ask for support for that specific thing you need to do, whether it’s big or small. Or just talk to someone about your struggles and ask if they have any encouragement. Even better, if someone else is doing the exact same thing (e.g. writing the same essay), you can encourage each other.

It doesn’t matter as long as the person you talk to lifts you up. If someone is putting you down, don’t go to them for support. They’re only going to make you feel worse.

Tip #3: Think forward.

Okay, so let’s say you’re about to walk into an exam. And you’re terrified. Tip #3 is all about finding the positive outcomes of your situation. So maybe the exam is going to be long and boring, and uh, terrifying. But you could also ace it and be proud of yourself. You could walk out feeling like you’ve learned something from all that time spent studying. You could think about the sense of accomplishment that you’re going to feel after the exam.

Maybe that particular situation doesn’t apply to you, but it’s all about mindset. Don’t spend too much time focusing on the regrets you might have, but think about how you can see this turning out to be something good.

Tip #4: Remind yourself what you gain.

Oftentimes, twisting a boring chore or negative situation around can show you the brighter side of things. Don’t feel like making breakfast? Think about how much more experience you’ll get, whether you’re trying out a new recipe or making a dish you know by heart.

Turning back to the exam example, you could turn it around so it’s a chance to prove your skills and challenge your mind.

At the core of this tip is the simple question: what do I learn? What are you going to gain from the thing you need to face or do? Once you have the answer in your head, try to get hyped about that instead of focusing on the negative aspects. Switch your thoughts around. Get excited about the new experiences you’ll have, the new information you’ll receive, and the new lessons you’ll get.

That’s all for now!

Tell me, what are your thoughts on the importance of mindset? Do you think it’s important to stay positive? How do you get yourself motivated or excited to do something?

Let me know in the comments below!