It’s not easy to stay focused right now. The seemingly endless impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has severely impaired the concentration of people across the globe. Scores of people have been wrestling with working from home, job insecurity, and unemployment. While it might have been easier to get things done before 2020, many people are currently struggling to stay focused and motivated every day.

Making the most of each day requires a high level of intention in your actions. Going through life on a moment-to-moment basis makes it much harder to get things done. It’s in your best interests to set goals, adopt healthy habits, plot your progress, and connect with people who want the same things out of life. Being depressed can make it especially difficult to stay motivated. Try using some of these techniques to form a new, more effective approach towards accomplishing your daily goals and staying motivated throughout all of life’s hurdles.

Set Your Goals with Certainty

Not having any goals to work towards can indicate that you don’t know what’s coming next in your life. This open-ended uncertainty can open the door for anxious thoughts and feelings. Setting goals and making plans allows you to decide where your life will go next, preventing you from sitting around wondering what’s in store for you.

Invest time into figuring out what you want out of life and what you need to do to achieve it. You can start by writing it down: putting a goal in writing makes you more likely to internalize your commitment to reaching it. Use a calendar, paperback planner, or journal to become more productive. Some people benefit from placing sticky notes on their mirrors to see their goals every morning when they wake up. Your next step can be to share with a friend. Telling someone else about your goals will create accountability and increase your chances of success.

Find Out What You Like and Do It on Purpose

To save yourself some time, figure out what you don’t like. Think back to all the experiences you’ve had in the past, and try to remember what you did well or what made you feel good. What is that one thing you do that people are always asking about? Do people want to know when you will make that cake you made at the last get-together? Are your friends asking you to work out with them because you push them? Focus on the traits that other people notice in you and pursue them.

You can also seek out people who inspire you. If you see someone in a nice car that you admire, ask them what they do for a living. Casual conversations can end up being highly motivational and could even spark your interest in a whole new career. Ask yourself where you want to be in the next five years, and see what other people did to get there. If your passions align with a particular career path, look into ways to transition into following your dreams.

Ease Up on the Multitasking

It’s a common misconception that to be successful or stay motivated, you have to do a million things at once. Although this might work for some, multitasking isn’t guaranteed to enhance the quality or quantity of your productive output. Sometimes, multitasking may result in a lack of motivation; it can be hard to excel at three or four things when none of them have your undivided attention. Take the time to focus on one task and complete it to the best of your ability. This gives you the time and space to intentionally grow in your craft.

Create a Reward System

Creating a reward system gives you something to look forward to. It can be easy to lack motivation when you have nothing to be excited about once your work is done. Humans aren’t meant only to work and exist; it’s important to enjoy life while you are here. It’s healthy to take breaks, especially when you have earned them through hard work. Life does not guarantee rewards for hard work. Make sure to create the reward for yourself.

Rewarding yourself is a crucial form of self-care. A reward can be whatever you like, whether it is food, sleep, or hanging out with friends. To keep yourself motivated, you can set up a schedule that allows a strategic amount of time for work and a specific amount of time for relaxation. Use the period of relaxation to regroup and rejuvenate. While you are in the middle of rewarding yourself, try not to worry about what’s next. Overthinking can strip away the enjoyment of the moment.

It’s hard to stay focused when you’re depressed. Struggling with consistent negative feelings can make you feel drained and unmotivated, making it necessary to be intentional in how you spend your time and how you think about yourself. Take the time to set goals that inspire you to build a sense of working towards what you want in life. Not having a sense of direction can fuel your depression by allowing you to sit and ponder over all that could have been. For some, the adoption of effective mental health techniques and motivational habits can go a long way towards breaking the cycle of depressive episodes; for others, professional help may be the best option. Let Kimberly Center help you get to where you need to be. Our expert staff is here to work with you on an individual basis to help you overcome depression and regain control of your life. Contact us at (855) 452-3683.