It took me a whole week to convince myself to actually sit down and write this article; all it required was a bit of free time and, most importantly, a dose of motivation—which, let’s be honest, is sometimes harder to find than a needle in a haystack.

The original version of this article was written by Danka Bednárová back in 2016. Now, almost ten years later, the working world has sped up in ways that call for new, stronger levels of self-motivation.

I do enjoy my work, truly. But even if you’ve got the calm of Mahatma Gandhi and love your job more than puppies or your favorite food, there are moments when you just don’t feel like it. No matter how hard you try, the spark just isn’t there.

Whatever your role or career path may be, if you want to leave work satisfied, stress-free, and with a smile on your face, you need solid motivation. In this article, you’ll find 10 ways that might just help you overcome the relentless urge to procrastinate.

1. Build a routine 🔁

While routines can be the death of excitement in relationships, they can play a crucial role in your work life. Psychologists say that morning habits can boost productivity and make us happier; that’s exactly why you should schedule your most complex or important tasks for this part of the day.

If you create a morning routine of tasks you want or need to get done, the rest of the day becomes much easier. By lunchtime, you’ll already feel accomplished, and the rest of the day will be a breeze.

2. The sooner you do it, the sooner it’s over 🧘

This is the famous “eat the frog” method—the idea is to tackle your hardest task first, so the rest of the day feels like a walk in the park. Think of it like eating a plate of spinach before digging into a slice of Sacher cake. Once you’re savoring dessert, you’ll hardly remember the spinach.

(Apologies to spinach lovers—couldn’t think of a better example.)

3. Do something that makes you happy every day 🫶

Psychologists link procrastination to negative thoughts, low self-esteem, and anxiety. Fear of difficult tasks makes us subconsciously put them off—and instead, we scroll Instagram, tidy our drawers, or suddenly remember the socks need sorting.

But if you sprinkle your day with little things that make you happy, you’ll also be able to handle tasks you’d otherwise dread. It doesn’t take much—a favorite song, a tasty snack, or some colorful socks that lift your mood. When you feel good, even tough tasks seem less intimidating.

4. Coffee = motivator, lifesaver, mood booster ☕

Caffeine stimulates dopamine production, which plays a big role in motivation, learning, and pleasure. That’s why it can improve productivity, focus, and even workplace atmosphere. (Coffee&Health, 2021)

A good cup of coffee can also feel like a reward—a short break to recharge before diving into your next block of work.

5. Make a to-do list ✅

Your to-do list is like a compass in the chaos of countless tasks waiting to be forgotten. The brain loves order—when it knows exactly what’s coming and when, it won’t panic. According to Indeed, setting daily tasks can reduce stress and increase productivity. Plus, checking things off is addictive.

6. Set goals 🏁

A workday without goals is like cooking a new dish without a recipe—it’s messy, stressful, and you never know how it’ll turn out. But when you set clear goals (daily, weekly, or monthly), your work gains structure and meaning. And every goal you tick off gives you a fresh shot of dopamine to keep you going.

7. Take regular breaks 😴

This isn’t just an excuse—breaks are truly essential. No brain is built to focus nonstop for eight hours, especially if your job requires creativity.

Every 60–90 minutes, give yourself a mini-break: grab some water, stretch, step outside for fresh air, or chat with a colleague. If you have a dog, even better—spend your break with your four-legged friend. A Harvard Business Reviewstudy suggests that interacting with dogs can reduce cortisol levels, the hormone that signals stress. You’ll return to work refreshed and energized. Try it—you won’t regret it!

8. Add some music 🎶

The right playlist can keep you in the zone, drown out keyboard clatter and phone calls, and even give you a boost (depending on what you’re listening to). Research suggests that background music can improve focus.

There are tons of playlists online claiming to boost concentration or creativity. Experiment, mix things up—you may discover that Google Sheets, your brain, and organ music are the ultimate power combo.

9. Don’t forget to reward yourself 🍫

Just like you reward your pup for a well-done trick (or just for being adorable), you can reward yourself, too. After finishing a tough task, surviving a dreaded call, or simply making it through the workday.

For some, that reward is an unholy amount of chocolate; others prefer a healthier treat. As for me—I know exactly which camp I’m in.

10. “If you don’t work, you don’t eat!” 😥

Maybe it’s a cliché, but it usually works for me. After all, as the old saying goes: No pain, no gain!