Where Does Your Winter Motivation Come From?

Winter. The season of colleagues wistfully recounting their summer holidays whilst sighing and looking out the rain-streaked windows, bookmarking holiday deals for next year.

Can’t relate.

Winter is the most productive time of year for me. I welcome it like an old friend; familiar and comforting. With the cool air whipping over me I feel refreshed, invigorated, and excited for life. Winter motivation is real. However, I know many people out there feel differently and struggle with the change of seasons. The term "seasonal depression" is thrown around and many people can feel unmotivated, especially when it comes to working. If you fall into this category, here are 3 tips I use daily and recommend as they might help change your mindset and find your winter motivation.

Time Management

If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed with work, personal projects or just a general feeling of 'blurgh' at this time of year, the cold weather having you retreat indoors as an overwhelmed caterpillar, follow this tip and soon emerge as an organised butterfly (did you envision your face on a human-sized caterpillar, hopping over puddles and dodging lightning bolts, your front door the distant finishing line? Because me too.) Invest in a notebook and have it as your designated list book. As simple as this seems until you start writing lists you cannot understand the benefits and organisation that they bring to your life.

If you’re an employer, investing in branded notebooks or your employees is a great way to kick-start this forward way of thinking. Every Sunday I write down a list of things I need to achieve for the week ahead, and throughout the week tick them off and add more on. As small as it seems the satisfaction you get with each tick motivates you, and slowly the anxiety you can feel with larger projects/ tasks turn into a determination to get it ticked off.

Focus on what makes you happy in your workplace

I’m a creature of habit and as much as I try to fight this instinct and be more spontaneous in my personal life, I take comfort from it in my professional life. I have work habits that I enjoy the routine of and act as milestones throughout my day. During the fall and winter months, it can be easy to feel miserable, betrayed by your alarm clock in the morning, and assaulted by the cold floor that hits your feet.

It’s natural to begrudge the early hours on your way to work but once there, try and find comfort and small wins throughout the day. I always start my mornings off with a coffee in my favourite 'Go get em' mug at my desk and as small of an act it seems, it puts me in a motivational mood.  The next step in my routine that keeps order and calmness through my day is completing 5 ticks off my to-do list, followed by a 10-minute break. I repeat, rewarding myself with another drink, and then it is lunch. I repeat each stage again and close my little checklist notebook- home time!

Celebrations 

The winter seasons make up for its less than desirable weather with all the events and parties they offer us. Most employers will host celebrations for these. Such gatherings offer you an opportunity for you to bond with you employers and colleagues. Ensure you attend them as once the party night it over, it will be the topic of discussion for months to come, so don't miss out!