6 effective techniques to help you move forward, even when you lack motivation

Causes of blockages from action

If you’ve ever sat in front of a computer screen for an hour and accomplished nothing but posting a meme on Slack or scrolling Twitter, this article is for you. Let me tell you this: take it easy – you are not alone. Roadblocks to action are something many of us face, regardless of profession or experience level.

The reasons for these blockages can vary. Sometimes, they stem from an internal fear of failure; other times, they are the result of being overwhelmed by too many tasks. Often it is the lack of clearly defined goals that makes it difficult to move forward. Understanding these causes is the first step to breaking down barriers and finding a path to more effective action.

Below I will tell you the reasons for the roadblocks to action that I have encountered in my wonderful life full of adventures and surprises.

Working in a toxic environment

A demotivating environment can kill the will to act. I worked in such a workplace where pessimism reigned. I noticed how the negative atmosphere discourages me from working.

When I changed to a more optimistic environment, my productivity increased. If you want to lose weight then, for example. You need to stop eating sweets. In order not to eat sweets you do not buy them and do not have access to them at home. The analogy is with the workplace. If you don’t want to gossip and criticize everything then don’t appear in a place where there are toxic people.

Excessive stress

Stress can lead to seeking an escape instead of focusing on tasks. During one project, the stress was so great that I started avoiding work. All signs in heaven and earth showed that it was going to be a disaster, and I was just a small cog in a big team, and despite trying, I could not change anything. Only a reduction in tension allowed me to return to efficiency.

Lack of purposefulness in action

Action without a clearly defined goal is inefficient. I tried to work without a specific goal, but I quickly realized that without a goal in line with my values, my work was pointless.

Too many tasks

Work overload can lead to burnout. At one point I had too many tasks on my mind. It was only when I started using essentialism that I was able to focus on what was really important.

Lack of faith in what you are doing

Working on something you don’t believe in significantly reduces productivity. I was working on a project that went against my values. I felt a constant dissatisfaction that inhibited my productivity.

Fear of being judged by others

Fear of being judged by others can be paralyzing. When I started publishing on the blog and expressing my opinions in a strong way in public, the fear of heckling appeared. Only when I overcame it was I able to enjoy my art and achieve my goals?

Neglect of self

Self-care is the key to keeping motivation high. I started taking more care of myself – healthy food, rest, sports. All this had a huge impact on my motivation to work. If you don’t take care of yourself and your body doesn’t want to get out of bed, you can’t expect your mind to work.

Habits

Bad habits unknowingly devastate you and your productivity. Introducing new, positive habits can increase efficiency and life satisfaction. I changed some daily habits, which brought me new energy and motivation to work.

6 techniques that help get things moving

Now see what techniques I have prepared for you to get you moving and increase productivity. I believe point five will really blow your mind.

1. 5 minutes of operation

Often the biggest challenge in getting started is the mental barrier you put up to the task itself. The “5 minutes of action” technique effectively breaks down this barrier. It involves committing to work on a selected task for only 5 minutes, with the option to stop after that time if you still don’t feel the desire to continue.

Setting a timer for 5 minutes helps focus on the task, reducing stress and pressure. This surprisingly simple but effective tool often helps break through internal resistance. After a few minutes of action, the initial reluctance usually disappears, and you already find yourself in the work process, which often leads to continuing the task without further obstacles.

I have personally used this technique many times, finding that after five minutes, my reluctance to work subsides, and I am able to continue working with renewed energy. It is an effective tool for anyone struggling to get started, especially in situations where procrastination becomes a challenge.

It is important to really give yourself the right to stop after five minutes, and not to dim. You can’t fool your mind in the long run!

2. first step

When you are facing a challenge that seems huge or intimidating, using the “First Step” technique can be key. This method involves focusing not on the entire project or task, which may seem overly complicated or overwhelming, but on taking literally the first, even the smallest step toward its completion.

Often the biggest barrier is not the difficulty of the task itself, but your perception of its size and complexity. When a task seems too big to even plan, the first step can be simple – it could be writing down ideas, opening a new document in a word processor, or doing preliminary research. This first step acts as a catalyst that starts the work process and often leads to subsequent steps.

In my professional practice, when I encounter a challenge that seems too big to grasp, I focus on doing something small that is part of the task. It could be something as simple as taking notes or setting an appointment. This helps overcome initial uncertainty and paves the way for further work.

3. the 5-Second Rule Mel Robbins

“The 5-Second Rule,” developed by Mel Robbins, is a simple but powerful technique that can help break through procrastination and uncertainty. This principle is based on the principle that when you have an impulse to act, you should start physically acting within 5 seconds before your brain starts to inhibit you.

This method involves taking action before doubts and internal resistance have had time to build up. For example, when you think of writing an e-mail you’ve been putting off, start writing it within 5 seconds of the thought occurring. This simple principle helps overcome the moment of hesitation that often leads to procrastination.

In my personal and professional practice, I have noticed that using the “5-Second Rule” allows me to move quickly from intention to action. When the thought of completing a task arises, I count down 5-4-3-2-1 in my mind and immediately begin to act. This helps me to overcome resistance and start work before doubts can arise.

4. the “Eisenhower Box” technique

The “Eisenhower Box” technique, also known as the Eisenhower matrix, is an effective task prioritization tool that helps optimize time and effort management. This method involves dividing tasks into four categories based on their importance and urgency:

• Important and urgent: Tasks that require immediate attention and action.
• Important but non-urgent: Important tasks that require planning and conscious commitment, but are not urgent.

• Unimportant but urgent: Tasks that seem urgent but do not contribute to long-term goals or values.
• Irrelevant and non-urgent: Tasks that do not bring value or urgency are often candidates for delegation or elimination.

Using this technique, I began to categorize my daily tasks into these four squares. This has allowed me to better understand which tasks really deserve my attention and time, and which can be postponed, delegated or even removed from my task list altogether. This made me more efficient and gave me more control over my time.

5. talk to your fear

Fear of doing something new is a bit like trying to drift an old BMW E36. Imagine sitting behind the wheel of this iconic car, feeling its power and history, but at the same time realizing the challenge of controlled sliding. Concern: Will I be able to maintain control? What if I lose my grip and fall off the route?

It’s exactly like taking on new tasks. You may fear uncertainty and potential complications, but as in drifting, the key is to understand and accept the risks and then act boldly. Over time, with practice and experience, you begin to get a better feel for the car and drifting, like any even difficult task, becomes more natural and rewarding. Importantly, in both drifting and new challenges, the initial fear gives way to excitement and a feeling of accomplishment.

In your professional and personal life, you often face fear that gets in the way of your goals. The “Talk to Your Fear” technique involves directly confronting these fears and turning them into a driving force for action. Instead of letting fear dominate your decisions, turn the situation around and firmly “talk” to your fear.

Start by realizing exactly what scares you. It may be a fear of failure, criticism, or even success. Then, in your thoughts or out loud, tell that fear that you will not let it stop you. Fear is your passenger (he sits in the right seat in the BMW). Remind yourself that fear is a natural part of the process of pursuing goals and that even people who achieve their big goals experience it. The difference is that successful people have learned to live with their fear and not let it stop their actions. You have to drift your BMW in such a way that fear wants to get off while driving with you. 😉

A key element of this technique is to act despite fear. Instead of waiting for the fears to disappear completely, start acting despite their presence. Accept that risk and uncertainty are part of the path to achieving what you want. Over time, you will notice that the fear is losing its strength, and you are gaining confidence and courage.

It’s a life attitude that allows you to take control of your own reactions and decisions. Using this method, you will be able to follow your dreams and goals more boldly.

6. write down your thoughts

When your mind is filled with thoughts, doubts and ideas, you may feel overwhelmed and blocked. The “Write Down Your Thoughts” technique helps organize these thoughts, which promotes a better understanding of problems and finding effective ways to act.

The process involves physically transferring thoughts from the head to paper. You start by writing down everything that is going around in your head, without censorship and without trying to solve problems immediately. It can be a stream of thoughts, a list of tasks, concerns, ideas, questions – whatever occupies your thoughts.

This method works in several ways. First, it helps relieve the brain, which is no longer forced to constantly process and store all that information. Second, writing down your thoughts gives you a new perspective – often what seems complicated in your head becomes clearer on paper. You can then more easily identify relevant problems, set priorities and plan next steps.

Writing down my thoughts proved indispensable at times when I felt overwhelmed or blocked. Regularly transferring my thoughts to paper has helped me organize my work, calm my mind and focus on what’s most important.

Summary

Just as drifting an old BMW E36 requires an understanding of basic techniques and control, breaking through barriers to productivity requires the right tricks. In the article, I showed you various methods that can be compared to elements of drift driving:

• 5 Minutes of Action: It’s like starting from a standstill and initially gaining speed in a BMW – crucial to start drifting.
• First Step: Focusing on the nearest turn, not the entire track – a small action that leads to a larger goal.
• Mel Robbins’ 5-Second Rule: react quickly to a change in trajectory, just as you act quickly when an impulse arises.
• Eisenhower Box Technique: It’s like picking the right trajectory in BMW E36 drifting, where you decide precisely which maneuvers are necessary for a spectacular drive and which can be skipped to keep the ride smooth and efficient.
• Talk to your fear: Facing the challenge of drifting despite fears of losing control – accepting risk as part of the experience.
• Write down your thoughts: like a post-ride route analysis – writing down your thoughts helps you understand what went well and what needs improvement.

Each of these techniques helps you achieve fluidity and control, both in drifting and in everyday life. They help break mental blocks, plan effectively and deal with fear.

Imagine you are faced with a choice: continue driving on a straight road or try drifting. I encourage you to choose the productivity management technique that best suits your current challenges – just as you choose a route for your BMW E36. Put it into practice by observing how it changes the way you work. This could be the beginning of your journey to smoother and more controlled productivity as in perfecting the art of drifting. Share your experiences and inspire others with your driving. Go boldly on this drift challenge course!