10 Ways to Get Things Done When You’re Unmotivated

Raise your internal hand if you have a seemingly endless to-do list. Raise it again if you are tired, unambitious, and border line lazy. I’m raising my hand with you too! While it would be SO nice to sit back, read a comforting book with a cup of coffee (or whatever drink you love) in your hand, there are many times we can’t. If God’s Word teaches us anything, it’s that we’re not meant to sit around doing nothing. But how do we (myself included) muster up the motivation to check off even a handful of the things off our to-do list? That is why I’m here writing this! I want to give you a few ways to actually get things done when you’re unmotivated and lacking ambition.

I’m finding out that this is something that all women – no matter what age – struggle with. Whether it’s due to being burned out from overdoing it or not quite having all the energy you once did, at some point, feeling unmotivated is something we all struggle with. I can’t escape the fact that I tend to feel it often, still feeling burned out from working full time and going to school full time. My husband’s new thing on the weekend is to ask “how ambitious are you feeling today?” Because he knows that there are some days when I don’t want to do anything. Even on the days when I definitely need to get some things done.

So together, let’s walk through 10 different ways – that I have tried myself – to get things done when you’re unmotivated. Together, let’s go from feeling lazy and tired to feeling fulfilled in the work God has called you to do.

1. Pray and ask God what He wants you to get done today

I want to emphasize the deep need to ask what God wants you to get done today rather than focusing only on what you want to get done today. Because in all honesty, right now, doing what you (and I) would want means getting nothing done. But going before the Lord and asking Him what He has for you today puts your heart and mind focused on working for His kingdom and His glory rather than yours. When you ask, it’s almost as if the Holy Spirit is giving you the ambition and motivation you need. Your work and your energy spent is not for nothing but for a God-given purpose and goal.

When we seek out God’s desires first, our desires seem to magically line up with His. By asking Him what He wants you to get done today, you are placing your desires aside for the sake of His. And in doing so, your desires become His desires! Even if that means cleaning the house for the sake of your husband and children or picking up the phone to encourage a friend in need.

So before you get overwhelmed and tired just thinking about what you need to do today, take a moment to pray and ask God what He wants you to get done today. “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established” (Proverbs 16:3).

2. Take 30 minutes to collect yourself, freshen up, and get an understanding of yourself

After praying about what to do, take 30 minutes to wash your face, change your clothes, drink that last cup of coffee, and eat a snack. Physically prepare yourself to be able to take on whatever God has in store for you today. And as you’re doing so, think about the times in the day that you’re most productive. For me, I’m most productive mid-morning and around 8 at night (weird…I know). So my “collecting myself” is worked around that knowledge. I know I need to freshen up before I jump into my to-do list, because otherwise, I feel like I still need to be in bed.

3. Get distractions out of the way

Distractions can be a number of different things to different people. But what I’m pointing to here are the kind of things that nag at you throughout the day that cause you to keep turning your attention toward it. Things that prohibit you from getting things done. For me, it’s a dirty kitchen and messy floor. I have a very hard time sitting down to write or work when I know that the dog toys are strewn across the floor, my husband’s socks are tucked in corners around the house, and the kitchen counters are littered with dirty dishes.

For you, it might be not having the curtains open or the quiet time you need in the morning. It might be the nagging to check your email, respond to those texts, or Instagram your latest picture. It could be the sweets in the kitchen that your taste buds love but your body doesn’t. Regardless of what it is, take 10 minutes to get rid of those distractions. I’ve found that it doesn’t take longer than that to clean the kitchen and the floors. It doesn’t take long to check my email, open the curtains, and check my phone. I don’t know what your distraction is, but I know that if a short amount of time (stress on the ‘short’) isn’t spent getting rid of them, then it’s very difficult to continue on towards the end goal.

I also want to point out that if the distractions keeping you from accomplishing what needs to be done, then put those distractions in another part of the house or with someone who can keep you accountable. You will know the difference between the distractions that simply need to get done with and the distractions that continually pull for your attention.

4. Write a list of actual and attainable things to get done in the time span of today

Actual. Attainable. Able to be accomplished. Meaning things that are a reality of checking off. There are days that I overfill my to-do list, and when I do, I look at it and immediately become overwhelmed and often a little guilty for not being able to finish it all. So only write down what you know you can accomplish today (not tomorrow), even if it’s a task that will take days to complete. Break it up into actual, attainable, and able to be accomplished to-do’s. Keep in mind, though, that you can plan out today, but God’s plan will prevail. Remember to be flexible to what He wants you to do, especially when it doesn’t line up with what you want to do.

5. Stay hydrated and well-fed

Nothing is more detrimental to being ambitious and getting things done than a hungry and dehydrated body. I’m not usually one to harp on health (as it’s something I’m not the best at…), but I do know that when I’m not feeding myself well, my energy levels are down, and therefore my ambition and motivation levels as well. So to get energized, feed yourself! Drink a glass of water! It works wonders.

6. Use essential oils to perk up and energize yourself

There are some days (mostly cloudy ones) that I can do many of the tactics above and still struggle to want to get things done. But I tell you what, the moment I begin diffusing citrus oils, my mind is refreshed, my emotions are lifted, and there’s a cheerful aroma urging me towards accomplishment. I call them ‘God’s little blessings in a bottle’ because they truly are a sweet little gift from God to help me in my struggles.

(Find more information about using oils in your walk with Christ and how to get started today!)

7. Think of the end goal

Even if that end goal is being back on that couch with your book! I love thinking about having a clean house. I love knowing that when I do the things God wants me to do for the day, my soul is satisfied. I look forward to telling my husband that I actually did stuff while he was away at work. I enjoy being someone who does excellent things for her family and friends, even if they’re simple, unrecognizable tasks. God wants us to enjoy our toil (Ecclesiastes 3:13). So use His gifts and His blessings from doing His work to motivate you and give you the drive and motivation to get things done.

8. Do the worst of it first

Getting the most disliked portion of your tasks done first means you can only go uphill from there. It’s like eating the least favorite part of you meal first. Just to simply get it done and out of the way.

9. Take it 5 minutes at a time

My husband told me one time about the guys who do special operations training in the Air Force. He told me that their training is hard, that they push their bodies to the limits to reveal the strong ones and weed out the ones who aren’t ready for it. But he found out one of their secrets to get through it all. They only focus on getting through the next 5 minutes. Whoever he found that out from, I am thankful that he did. Because to this day, it’s something that I use as a tactic to get through hard situations (whether it’s a deployment, feeling sick, or whatever). And it’s a tactic that you can use to get things done when you’re not feeling motivated.

Often times, it’s difficult to find the ambition and motivation to accomplish anything. But if you can focus on getting through the next 5 minutes of your current task, all you need is a sliver of motivation to check off one thing, and the next, and the next.

10. Listen to your Bible app

When I’m by myself during the day and nobody is here to encourage me to write that blog post, build those shelves, clean the house, or whatever it is I need to do, I know there is someone special who can do just that. I wanted to end with this point because there is motivation, encouragement, drive, and ambition in the Word of God. His words are the beautiful encouragement to keep going, to keep working for Him, and to keep being that faithful daughter of Christ. But we won’t get that encouragement if we don’t spend time in it.

I often feel like I have too much to do to sit down and read His Word. And while it’s insanely important to find the time, I’ve also realized that while I’m working, I can listen to His Word. And that speaks truth into my life, it whispers soft prompting to keep going, and it fills my heart with the Christ-like ambition.

I use the YouVersion Bible App and the Grace to You app. This YouVersion Bible app has multiple different Bible versions, some of which you are able to listen to. It has Bible reading plans, devotions, and more to help you dive into God’s word. There might even be devotions about finding motivation and ambition in life! I encourage you to download this app because of the amazing blessings it’s had not only in my life, but in the lives of those around me. I do want to note that I will always believe reading straight out of a tangible Bible, with pages to turn, will always be better than an app. But that doesn’t mean an app can’t be a helpful tool in your walk with the Lord. The Grace to You app is full of deep nurturing sermons that speak truth. I listen to them often!

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Finding motivation when you have none is difficult! But there are ways to still get things done when you’re unmotivated. There are strategies and tactics that you can use to get off the couch and accomplish what God wants you to accomplish. I encourage you to try these 10 different ways to get things done when you’re unmotivated, they really do help.