Sometimes you just really can’t be bothered to do anything productive. Don’t worry, these days happen and there is absolutely nothing wrong with being a slob sometimes. But having this attitude can be bad if you have to get some work done or meet an important appointment.

How to Improve Motivation and Increase Productivity

If the lethargy is getting you down and you need to get back up quickly, try these well-tested tips to get some motivation and increase productivity.

1. Have a shower – It’s definitely true. All my best ideas come in the shower. I don’t know why but whenever that running water hits my head, it’s as if my brain suddenly wakes up and discovers that missing link in the rocket science plans I am working on. Ideas start flowing and when you get out of the shower, you will feel raring to go. At the very least, you will have woken up properly and will feel more fresh. For even more energy, try a cold shower. It’s been scientifically proven that cold showers help with focus, concentration and energy levels.

2. Have a nap – Sounds weird right? You want to be more productive but you should have another nap? Patience, my young apprentice. Sometimes the body gets stuck in a mental rut and the only way to get around it is to recharge or “reboot” yourself (to use a computer analogy). So when you feel the stress levels rising and your productivity goes down, take a break for a hour and have a little siesta.

Spanish and Italian people swear by them every day, and even some companies in the US and UK are starting to see the benefits, allowing employees to have an afternoon nap. Think about the computer analogy again – when your computer is sluggish, you reboot it. Look how fast it moves when it starts up again. Think of your brain the same way as Windows.

3. Have a walk – If sleeping doesn’t appeal to you, then how about some physical exercise? Walking and getting some fresh air will definitely blow away those mental cobwebs and leave you feeling more charged up than ever before. The body loves fresh air, especially the brain, and if you meet some other people on your travels, so much the better. Human interaction is good because you stop thinking about what is stressing you out and you start thinking about other things. These people may be able to offer new ideas to help you along with whatever is hindering your productivity.

4. Have something to eat – Maybe it’s the lack of food that is slowing you down? Not having a proper breakfast, for example, has been proven to prevent many people from waking up faster, simply because the body doesn’t have the necessary nutrients to get going and do what it needs to do. So if you are slowing down, have a snack. Just be careful with the carbohydrates though as they have been proven to make you more tired, much faster. Protein is what you need to perk yourself up. Or occasionally indulge in some “comfort food”. Nothing perks me up more than some chocolate. Just don’t overdo it, OK?

5. Have sex – There is absolutely nothing wrong with having sex to get your productivity going and, from a personal perspective, it definitely motivates me afterwards! Whatever works, right?

What do you do to increase your productivity?

*****

Mark O’Neill is a freelance writer of 20 years experience, and also the managing editor of MakeUseOf.com, since August 2007. You can see his personal website at markoneill.org Mark has 21 post(s) at Free Writing Center