Feel Unmotivated? Try this to put some zing in your learning zone

Are you working from home and struggling to get started on a project? Or maybe you are taking a course and feeling unmotivated or overwhelmed? It could be your mindset, work zone, connection to others, or the online environment that is responsible. In this article, we’ll take a look at four zones of your work environment and share some actionable tips that will boost your motivation and get you headed in a positive direction.

1. Psychological space

What is your current mental state? Are you stressed or feeling overwhelmed? Doubting that you’ll succeed at this task or wondering if you’ll ever finish? Before you start your learning or working on your project, notice your internal monologue and thoughts. If you are too stressed, you may not be able to focus or encode the learning and store it for retrieval later. While some levels of stress can be motiving, too much will put a pause on your ability to be productive. Are your goals realistic? Consider how much time you have to complete your goals and evaluate if you need to create sub goals. Sometimes chunking a big project or task into smaller ones can help make it seem more do-able. Check in with your mindset and evaluate if a short break might be better than a work session and act accordingly. Or create a to-do later list before getting started to allow yourself to focus on the present moment.

2. Physical space

Are you working on a train or bus ride home? Or is your work surface the dining room table in a distracting, high traffic area? While you might not have a whole office or desk complete with a task lamp, succulent, and aromatherapy diffuser (if that’s your preference), your physical environment really does matter. Comfortable, positive work zones help us focus and concentrate on our tasks. Do what you can to reduce physical clutter because it contributes to mental clutter. According to the National Center for Safe Supportive Learning Environments, physical environment refers to a space’s ambient noise, lighting, cleanliness, air quality, and thermal regulation. Sometimes we need to work and learn in less than ideal environments. In those situations, choose which attributes of your physical space are most important and hone in on adjusting those. You can read more here.

3. Social space

Working with others and collaboration not only expands your learning and work experience, but it also might be motivating. Collaboration can be organic (spontaneous and unplanned) and fostered in role responsibilities of group activities and teamwork projects. Participating in focus groups or working with a project partner can help you maintain accountability and celebrate milestones. In addition, working and learning with others allows you to share what you know which reinforces concepts. You can also learn from others’ mistakes, successes, and processes. Discussions and peer feedback are powerful tools. If you prefer working alone but are motivated by working alongside others, try a Study with Me video. These are 90 minute videos where people film themselves studying and working. Some people are motivated by these and report being more productive and less lonely.

4. Virtual space

A benefit to working in a virtual environment is the elimination of geographic barriers - you can work from anywhere or with others who don’t need to be in the same physical room with you. It offers more access and inclusion. On the flip side, if you are struggling with navigating your virtual space, notice what is easy when navigating the virtual environment and what is challenging. Some learning management systems, software, and applications are not always intuitive, and you might need to take some minutes to figure it out before starting on your task.

So if you are feeling stuck or unmotivated, examine the condition of your psychological, physical, social and virtual spaces. The key to unlocking your momentum will likely be one of these domains. Sometimes a simple solution or change in your environment will boost your progress and remove barriers to your success. Best of luck, and keep going towards your goals!

This post was inspired by the work and knowledge of Dr. Luke Hobson and his insightful podcast Why Learning Environments Deeply Matter from February 2024.