You’ve probably noticed that it’s hard to be motivated all the time. No matter what you are working on, there are bound to be days when you don’t feel like showing up. There will be workouts that you don’t feel like starting. I will be reports that you don’t feel like writing. There will be responsibilities that you don’t feel like handling. And there will be “off days” when your energy and emotions are at a low ebb.
These fluctuations are part of life, and I face these motivational challenges just as much as the next person. However, for the important things in my life, I’ve also developed a system for dealing with these “off days.”
We all get stuck sometimes, but the question is, how do we get out of it? How do we keep going when the odds seem to be stacked against us, and all we want to do is quit?
Everyone reaches a point where motivation disappears. Assignments pile up, results don’t match effort, and giving up feels easier than continuing. If you’re a student feeling stuck, tired, or discouraged, you’re not weak—you’re human. What matters is how you move forward.
1. Accept That It’s Okay to Feel This Way
Feeling unmotivated doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It often means you’ve been trying for too long without enough rest or reward. Instead of fighting the feeling, acknowledge it. Tell yourself: “This is hard right now, and that’s okay.” Acceptance reduces pressure and makes it easier to take the next step.
2. Remember Your “Why”
When motivation fades, reconnect with the reason you started.
Ask yourself:
- Why did I choose this course or goal?
- What will finishing this help me achieve?
- Who am I doing this for—my future self, my family, my dreams?
Write your “why” down. Read it when you feel like quitting.
3. Stop Looking at the Whole Mountain
One big reason student give up is feeling overwhelmed. Don’t focus on everything you have to do. Focus on one small task:
- Read 2 pages
- Study for 10 minutes
- Write one paragraph
Small wins rebuild confidence and momentum.
4. Motivation Follows Action (Not the Other Way Around)
Waiting to “feel motivated” often keeps you stuck. Start even when you don’t feel like it. Action creates motivation, not the reverse. Once you begin, your brain adjusts and resistance decreases.
5. Change Your Environment
Sometimes it’s not you, it’s your surroundings.
- Study in a different place
- Remove distractions (phone, notifications)
- Listen to instrumental or focus music
A small change in environment can reset your mindset.
6. Talk to Someone
Keeping everything inside makes quitting feel heavier. Talk to:
- A friend
- A classmate
- A teacher or mentor
You’ll often discover others feel the same way—and you’re not alone.
7. Rest Without Guilt
Burnout kills motivation. Rest is not laziness—it’s recovery. Take breaks, sleep well, eat properly. A rested mind is more motivated than an exhausted one forcing productivity.
8. Visualize Life If You Don’t Quit
Picture yourself a few months or years from now:
- Finishing exams
- Graduating
- Achieving something you once doubted
Now compare that to how you’d feel if you quit today. Let that future version of you push you forward.
9. Be Kind to Yourself
Negative self-talk destroys motivation. Replace:
- “I’m not good enough”
with
- “I’m learning and improving”
Progress matters more than perfection.
10. Don’t Quit on a Bad Day
Never make life-changing decisions when you’re exhausted, emotional, or discouraged. Rest, reset, and try again tomorrow. Most success stories are built on days people wanted to quit—but didn’t.
Final Thought
Motivation comes and goes. Discipline, self-belief, and small consistent steps are what carry you through. You don’t have to feel strong—you just have to keep going. Pain and failure don´t last forever, and tomorrow is a new day. There will be many setbacks on your way to success, but also many great times. Appreciate both of them, for the hard days allow you to grow and enjoy the good ones even more! BE MOTIVATED
–Carol Marina Dsouza
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