Little changes, big results: motivation hacks for the new year

February 4, 2025

Many start off the new year full of energy, armed with New Year’s resolutions. The chance to start anew is motivating, as it provides the perfect opportunity to institute change. Yet meanwhile, back at the office, we’re confronted with a familiar ballast from the past: the inbox is overflowing with emails, tasks left over from last year still need to be done, and the positive mindset towards the new year starts to fade quicker than expected. How can we hold onto our motivation as we go on with our daily working routine?

Stay on top of things

One of the biggest crushers of motivation is the feeling of being confronted with a heavy workload. Especially after having a longer break over the holidays, coming back to take care of remaining tasks while simultaneously facing new demands can seem overwhelming. A good old to-do list can aid you in this situation, and nowadays there are plenty of digital tools available to help you keep track of everything. Resist simply jumping into the first task without giving things a thought. It’s worth it to first take a moment and get an overview of what needs to be done. Try writing down all the tasks at hand and prioritize them based on their importance and urgency. Consider the following questions when doing so:

What has to get done first in order for the colleagues to continue with their work?
Which tasks can be broken down into smaller steps?
Is support available within the team?

A well structured to-do list not only helps you organize your work, it gives you the feeling of being back in control of the process. Besides that, it’s incredibly satisfying to cross an item off the list after it’s been completed!

Delete distractions with a digital detox

Many people find themselves grabbing their phones too often, perhaps out of boredom or as a way to distract themselves. Unfortunately, this negatively impacts both productivity and motivation. Excessive scrolling on your phone not only makes you tired and unfocused, it can sabotage your motivation as well – especially if you find yourself locked into the vicious circle of doomscrolling, i.e., consuming a lot of negative news and stories. Try placing the phone somewhere out of reach, using the phone’s settings to block or restrict certain apps during specified hours, or put your device in ‘do not disturb’ mode.

Instead of taking a break on your phone, try opting for an active break instead – at best, outdoors in the fresh air if possible. Expanding the digital detox to include Outlook, Slack and other communication tools can also immensely boost motivation. It’s easier to get into a smooth flow at work without handling a constant barrage of messages. Your ability to concentrate will be enhanced and this will spurn on the motivation to get those really important tasks crossed off your to-do list.

Physical activity: the underestimated motivation booster

While it’s well-known that exercise is important for good health, it’s also a genuine booster for motivation and productivity at work. Even taking a short walk or doing a little yoga can already work wonders.

Physical inactivity is not only a common cause of back pain, it also negatively impacts our mood. Planning for active breaks within your workday will also help you to clear your mind and subsequently feel more motivated.

Motivational methods for the daily work routine

Whether at the office or in our private lives, there are specific methods designed to help us develop or maintain our motivation. Among them are minute rules, such as the 10-minute rule. 10 minutes is a manageable time commitment to get rolling on a task you’ve been putting off, without it feeling like a huge effort. Frequently, within those first 10 minutes, a workflow is established, which makes it easier to continue working on the task after the first 10 minutes have passed.

Another motivation-boosting method is the 5 second rule, developed by the author and motivational speaker Mel Robbins. A lot of time is often spent on considering what task we should do next. The 5 second rule is designed to move us from thinking to acting. When you have an impulse you want to act on, simply count down from five to one, then decide and move on your decision quickly before any doubts or objections get in the way.

Motivation has its limits

It’s normal to have days when you’re feeling less energetic – especially after celebrating over the holidays or during the dark and short days of winter. There’s no point in feeling bad or criticizing yourself for having a bit of a down day. Instead, deliberately take this time to recharge your batteries and gain new energy.

Sometimes taking a break is more productive than continuing to relentlessly slog through the day without motivation. With renewed energy, you’ll often be able to continue where you left off the next day with more motivation.

Experiment with these easy tips for more motivation

Motivation in this new year can be fostered with a few little tricks and well-aimed strategies. By taking advantage of the many techniques available, such as to-do lists, digital detoxing, exercise breaks or methods like the 10-minute or 5 second rule, the daily work routine can be carried out more pleasantly and productively. Remember that it’s essential to take care of yourself and to understand that taking breaks is actually an element of motivation. Equipped with the right approaches, you’ll be prepared to take on the new year with newfound energy and positivity.