4 Tips for Staying Motivated in a Busy Time

Truth time: This is going to be a super busy week for me. Scratch that – month. This week alone is full of philanthropy events for my sorority and distributing Auburn’s literary magazine. I know I’m not alone in this! From finals to getting ready for summer, the end of spring is just a stressful time. So, today I’m going to share my tips for staying motivated in a busy time – perfect for those days when all you want to do is nap, but all you really have time for is a third cup of coffee!

1. Take each hour as it comes.

Recently I’ve been reading Perfectly Yourself by Matthew Kelly, and one quote really struck me: “Just do the next right thing” This seems so obvious, but I think it’s a great reminder! When I’m busy and stressed, it’s easy to look at my schedule and complain about how full it is. There are plenty of things I want to do, but I think about how much time I don’t have.

Instead of doing that, I try to redirect my thinking to use the time I do have with purpose. If I have a free hour, I think about what the next right thing would be: Should I run to the Rec for a workout? Is it time for a coffee break? When I’m intentional about my time, I find that even if I’m tired at the end of the day, I’m satisfied about what I did accomplish.

2. Create a playlist that pumps you up.

Some songs really just pump me up. They might have a fun beat or inspiring lyrics, but no matter what, they make me feel ready to take on the world. Some of my favorites right now are:

One Man Can Change the World, Big Sean

Everyday, Logic

Fake It, Jess Andrea

Survivor, Destiny’s Child

Okay, that is the most random group of songs but each of them has lyrics that truly leave me motivated! Have yourself a little dance party or jam out on the commute to work. Also, please let me know what you’re listening to! I have a habit of listening to the same artists on repeat… so if you can fix that, help a girl out.

3. Prioritize life-giving activities.

This goes along with Tip #1, but when I find myself with a free hour, or when I have to choose between two things, I think about what will truly make my life or others’ better. Sometimes, honestly, the best thing you can do for yourself is take a nap, and that’s okay! But I think a lot of the time, I choose to nap because I think it’ll help, and then it actually makes me feel worse.

At the end of the day, how do I want to have spent my time? Each day is different – some days I want to focus on school, others I feel my best if I’ve made healthy decisions and worked out. But no matter what, I want to look back and know I haven’t wasted any time.

4. Take care of your body.

Stress definitely leads to unhealthy decisions. When I’m stressed out, I find myself reaching for sodas as a caffeine fix, and taking naps to try to catch some rest. Instead of doing that, I need to be intentional with my decisions. When I’m busy, I don’t have time to nap, but I might have 30 minutes to squeeze in a quick workout, which will make me feel infinitely better. Just because I eat out doesn’t mean I have to grab fries – I can still look for options that leave me feeling full but not bloated. My biggest tip when taking care of your body is to make sure you get enough sleep! Maybe a little hypocritical since it’s currently midnight as I’m writing this… but honestly, this is something I’m working on. If I go to sleep just a little bit earlier and spend a little less time watching Netflix, that’ll lead to waking up feeling more motivated and ready to take on the day… which is a win in my book.

So, what are your tips for staying motivated in a busy time?! I definitely need them right now!

xoxo, Cecilia

P.S. I’ve written a few other posts with my tips about motivation – here are four tips for productivity after a long day & even five productive ways to waste time!