One thing about me you might not know is that I have been working full time for only 3 years. No school means I miss summer vacation where I get a whole 3 months to recharge. So sometimes self motivation to get me to the next vacation is something I need on a regular basis. Today I’m sharing these 6 easy ways to stay motivated that have worked for me. And I hope you find something useful from this list, working full time or still in school. Bookmark this post (or pin it) for when in need.
1. Change your work/study environment
If you have always worked or studied at your desk or in your room, try switching it up. Find a local coffee shop, your public library, maybe the club house at your apartment complex. When I was in college, I loved going to coffee shops with my study buddies. We would pull an all nighter with a new cup of coffee every couple hours. The thought of smelling freshly ground coffee and listening to the coffee house music actually made me excited to study. So if you always work at home, don’t be afraid to stop by a local coffee shop every once in a while. You might even get addicted.
2. Personalize your items
Whether it be getting a cute planner with your initials on it, or getting a phone case with your favorite quote. Making your space and items personalized will make you love looking at it and enjoy using it, aka more productive time. I recently got this marble phone case and a matching marble iPad skin both from Case App (20% off with code WITHLOVE20), since I’ve been on such a marble kick lately. The new phone case and tablet skin make me feel like I just got new devices. And who doesn’t work better on new devices?
3. Try a different schedule
If you always work late nights and haven’t tried waking up early, you’ll never know you could be a morning person. If you always work early morning and don’t try staying up late, you might not know you’re a night owl. I hate waking up early, but recently just discovered that I’m more productive early in the morning, weird right? So I try to get up earlier and get into the habit. If you try your new schedule and see no results, you can always go back to the old one. But I suggest you give it a try, because as weird as it sounds, your body may work differently in different stages of your life.
4. Make a to-do list
Nothing satisfies me more than crossing items off a to-do list. I’m old schooled but it’s so much better to do it with paper and pen, rather than on an electronic device. To-do lists make me feel organized and give me a sense of productivity when things are getting crossed off. Every morning before I start my day, I make a list of what I need to get done, sometimes even number them by priority. AND I go beyond that and write down a time estimate of each item so I have an idea of how the day is going progress, at approx what time I will get which item done etc.
5. Read, watch, listen
When nothing really works, take a break. Read a book, watch a movie, go for a walk, listen to music, or just lay there on the floor and stare at thin air. Let inspiration come to you or not come to you, it doesn’t matter. What matters is sometimes your brain needs to shut off a little bit to allow room for new creativity to come later. My favorite thing to do when I feel busy and stressed is to lay in my hammock with soft music on, and stare at the mountains from our patio. It does wonders.
6. Send yourself encouraging messages
“You are gold, baby. Solid gold.”
“You are the stars, you are the galaxy.”
“You look like a million bucks.”
Write in on sticky notes and place it all over the place, your own fridge, your own car, your mirror to look at when you get ready in the morning. Give yourself a gold star, yes a real sticker, not just mentally. Write in on your iPad (like me). And Case App makes it so easy to personalize your message. You can put whatever on your device case or skin, they even have pre-made cute little clip arts that you can use for your design. You can customize your own with Case App for 20% off with code WITHLOVE20. What encouraging words do you want to send yourself today, everyday? Write it to yourself, or put in on your phone case where you can see it all the time!
From this post:
Phone case (c/o) Case App || iPad skin (c/o) Case App || Nail colors: nude, pastel blue || Denim shorts: H&M || Tan booties: similar for 35% off
Get your customized device case at Case App for 20% off with code WITHLOVE20
*Brought to you by Case App. All opinions are my own.*
katelyn chef says
beautiful & encouraging! I love marble too-it’s just seems timeless!-Katelyn
http://www.theyellowspectacles.com
GorisHelena says
Hi, really love your outfit !
I’m having an awesome giveaway on my facebookpage! You can a packet of White Flash Tattoos, that are all the trends this summer! I don’t have a lot of participants, so you have a really got chance of winning xo Helena
GIVEAWAY | FBpage GorisHelena
Jill says
Thanks for sharing, dear!
Jill
Jill D Blog
Denise says
This week I am back, after a blog crash – maintenance and I am so glad to read your post, it resonates a lot with me! The marble cases for mobile and ipad are great and I also love motivational sentences for myself – I have some motivation problems from time to time and I know it makes a big difference! Also, changing environments is good – once I had no internet at home for some days (I was moving) and went to a pub to use wifi – and it was so good to change places, I could work well, concentrated, although it was a pub! I loved your pictures, you look lovely! Hope you have a beautiful day!
DenisesPlanet.com
Lily Rose says
Oh no, I’m glad your blog is back up! And I’m so happy you enjoyed this post. Being motivated could be challenging sometimes, we just have to switch it up to refresh our minds and we will be good to go. Thanks Denise for stopping by and for your lovely words!
Amy Ann says
Love the case you made and those shoes!! I currently have one from them on my phone now.
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
Lily Rose says
Thanks Amy Ann for stopping by. I’m glad you like the case too!
Remi Sabbah says
Lovely blog post darling! You look superb in the photos! <3 xxx
Latest post on the blog: http://remisabbah.com/blog/
Follow on instagram @remisabbah
kathrineeldridge1 says
These are great suggestions for changing things up! I love your case. Looking beautiful as always!
http://www.kathrineeldridge.com
violettedaily says
I love these cases! So cute!
http://violettedaily.com
Clarissa Pierre says
Amazing post!
Lily Rose says
Thanks Clarissa. I’m so glad you like it!
bello di essere donna says
mi piace molto la cover nuova
Gil Zetbase says
Very cooool!!!
Have a nice evening!
Photographer Gil Zetbase
http://www.gilzetbase.com/
The Fashion Folks says
These are so gorgeous, lovely tips too on how to stay motivated! Love to stay motivated with quotes and enouragement! Xx
http://www.thefashionfolks.com
Tina says
I just got a phone and laptop case from them too! I love how you personalized yours with the quote! So cute!
Tina
http://www.justatinabit.com
Ela says
Changing environment and creating to-do list help me stay motivated, at least I know what to do and being somewhere else gives me a good head start! Marble cases look so good, I love the motivational message!
Ela BellaWorld
Bianca says
Amazing pics Lily, I really loved!
So cute <3
xoxo
– Bianca Unhas
BeautiliciousD says
I love your photos and that iPad case is so beautiful! Also great post and very helpful tips ^^
http://www.beautiliciousd.blogspot.com
Lily Rose says
Thanks so much for the lovely comment. I appreciate you stopping by 🙂
Monique | WritingMonique says
Oh, the case is absolutely beautiful!
Kasie Chelanne says
I am such a fan of to do lists to keep me motivated. There’s something so satisfying about checking off a task and seeing tangible evidence of progress!
Lily Rose says
Right? I love making to-do list too, scratching things off is the best feeling ever!
Neha Bhatt Bhagat says
You look gorgeous dear and totally in Love with that iPad case…its beautiful…xoxo, Neha
http://www.theinstylejournal.com/
Siffat Haider says
I’m obsessed with your iPad skin! I love the idea of having an inspiring quote on something you use everyday to remind you how amazing you are!
xo
Siffat
http://icingandglitter.com
Radi says
How cool! Your suggestions are gold for making a nice change of scenery and doing things differently, I like it! Btw I love the phone and ipad case!
http://fashionradi.blogspot.com
Camila Alarcón Cervantes says
I love the case your designed, so cute and original!
My Vogue Style | http://www.myvoguestyle.com
Chelsheaflo says
You’re right, we have to make one or more encouraging messages especially to start the day, they will really help! Beautiful tips tho, and I adore your marble case! <3
xoxo,
|CHELSHEAFLO|
chelsheaflo.blogspot.co.id
sapphireziivaa says
They look really cool though !!
New post – http://www.sapphireziva.com/2016/07/memories-for-lifetime.html
would u like to follow each other on social media? I just liked your facebook page 🙂
love, kanchan
Rosie says
I am 100% ordering that case! Love this read!
Life is just Rosie
fancycorrectitude says
Great post!! And cute cases!
Adi xx
http://www.fancycorrectitude.com
http://www.instagram.com/fancycorrectitude
Polly says
Making a to-do list helps me too! I’m a visual person, so it really helps me see what I need to do in order to get it done!
Polly
http://gemsandjoy.com
Yuliya from Yukova (@yukovadesign) says
I think it’s a great idea to personalise the things you work with every day. It would motivate me to come back to pretty things every day x
Yukova Blog
darlingdearestblog says
Love your cases, and the quote with it! I’m all for giving myself a little positive encouragement. That just helps me to feel like I’ve got my stuff together:)
Emily
http://darlingdearestblog.com
Clarissa says
Personalize your items is so underrated but so important! Even with working out, if I buy cute workout clothes, and I feel good in them, I’m so much more likely to stick to it!
spondylolisthesis.
Kelsey&Kenecha says
I love the marble case! It’s so lovely!
lovelysimply says
You are such a babe and I love these ideas! Also adore those cases…I have the same iPhone one! I was a big fan of studying at a coffee shop but for some reason haven’t thought to work there since. And we have some great shops in the next town over . I may have to make a work date with myself
Jessica says
Great photography! I love that mustard color skirt! Such a cute color!
Regards
Katya
Aldora Muses says
I seriously LOVE how you personalise your iPhone / iPad casing Lily! Those prints are the bomb! Great tips too 🙂
Emma says
I love these cases, they are so pretty!
http://tealattewithstyle.com/
andathousandwords says
Love the cases!! 🙂
X Merel
http://www.andathousandwords.com
Floortje says
Love the covers from Caseapp!
Xx,
|| FLOORTJELOVES ||
http://www.floortjeloves.com
http://www.facebook.com/floortjeloves
Daria says
these are some nice ideas x
just followed, would be great if you could do the same <3 x
http://www.darcia.pl/
Helen Chik says
Those cases are so cute and love how it’s not just plain marble!! Also loving these images of you honey!!
Sending you love from Sydney xx
Check out my post on Orogold skincare if you have time!
Helen xx
http://CH1K.com
Katarína Jakubčová says
Hi my dear, I absolutely agree with those magic 6 points. 🙂 Shots are perfect too as always 🙂
Seema@digital marketing course fees says
I’m happy your blog is move down! What’s more, I’m so glad you delighted in this post. Being roused could challenge in some cases, we simply need to change it up to revive our brains and we will be ready. Much appreciated Denise for making a trip and for your beautiful words!
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