How does one motivate themselves when doing boring work?

Question

I am trying to do finish off a uni report and find my mind keeps wandering. Im not getting any work done!
What is the best way to motivate yourself and keep your mind on the task?

Answer 1

The answers that talk about paychecks obviously are not helping you here! (although you could motivate yourself by thinking "if I get a first, I will get a higher paid job" but in the short term, this isn't a great motivation.

So - this is what I have been doing: (bearing in mind I am temping during the working day)

1. At 6.30 make tea, and clear the table of everything but books and what you need to study

2. Set yourself little goals throughout the evening - not just in terms of words, but numbers of pages to read etc.

3. Take regular breaks - last night I did 50 minutes work and then watched a Mr Men carton for 10 minutes and did this 5 times (if you don't have a Mr Men dvd - the free one that came in the paper this weekend - get hold of it! A similarly fun 10 minute task would suffice!) If you don't have anything like this, go and buy comfort food and set yourself goals (500 words = i cookie, for example) Or, ideally, ring a friend for 10 minutes and tell them your progress!This enables you to work for hours at a time with only short breaks.

The two things that have most helped me are having people who can monitor me, and having my mobile switched off. My friends set me targets and check up on me. And also - if you have a boyf/girlf - ban yourself from seeing them until you have done a certain amount. Then you really will do it!

Finally - proof read chunks of your work at periodic points - this really helps as it reminds you of what you are trying to achieve in terms of objectives. And it makes you feel more motivated when you actually can put aside whole chapters that are ready to submit and move on to the next section. If you are writing about something you care about or that inspires you, this makes a big difference too.

Enjoy! (that's my 10 minutes up...back to work!)

Answer 2

1. Set a deadline for completing the task and promise yourself a big reward like a vacation when the report is finished.

2. Get up an hour earlier and bash away at the boring stuff first. Then you'll have a day clear for enjoyment.

3. Tell yourself it's fun until you believe it. Say: "This is fun! This IS fun! THIS is fun! This is FUN!"

4. Make the work a lively game. Set interim targets and promise to reward yourself with something you like when you have achieved the target. Anything from a cup of coffee to a slap-up meal would be a great reward.

This is how I survived a year in a call centre.

Answer 3

I have the same problem. I find that if I'm at it too long, my brain starts to shut down...I just get bored. So try taking more breaks. a five-ten minute break every 45 minutes-an hour, or when ever you realize that nothing is getting done.

Going to get a snack, reading a bit of a book, giving some one a quick call, going for a walk; I have found that all of these things help me when I need a short break. Also reminding myself how much I'm *Paying* to be there motivates me to do well lol.

Hope this helps, happy writing!

Answer 4

Here's motivation for you.

If you don't finish that work you'll flunk and you'll end up getting a lousy paying job like mine.

Sit comfortably, with good light and perhaps some Mozart in the background. Get up every 15 minutes and move your body to let your mind get fresh oxygen.

Answer 5

1/ If the job is that boring and has no real interest, seek a new job.

2/ Boring jobs are repetitive so go into auto mode and then let your mind dwell on other more pleasurable matters.

3/ If you can't do the job you would love to do, then you must learn to love the job you do.

4/ Pack the job in, emigrate to another European country and claim benefits,

Answer 6

I used to set myself a daily target of just a few hundred (or thousand depending on the task in hand) words a day. Once I achieved the limit I just walked away satisfied that I'd done my 'bit' for the day. Splitting it up just makes it easier - you can always edit it later

Answer 7

I deal with this problem on my job all the time. All you have to do is tell yourself it wont get done unless I get started and stick to it. You'd be surprised how fast it does go when you set your mind to force your way through it. Then when its finished you can tell yourself mission accomplished and be glad its over

Answer 8

set the task down for a few minutes and go outside and jog or just get some fresh air...definatly step away from the computer!!! and the tv or radio...you will just keep thinking about the comp with it right in front of you.

Answer 9

Always remember that what is worth to be done, is worth to be done well. At the end, you will be proud of a job well done, so start by thinking about you feeling that way. Make your best. And good luck.

Answer 10

listening to music helps but not too loud music, going to ur favourite place or a quiet, peaceful place helps. also break ur work down, basic, concise and take breaks in between. maybe get someone to help u or work with u. try to avoid tv during doing work and other distractions