I cannot tell you how often I have heard this sentence lately! School from home is so ... (I promised myself I'd stop using the phrase "it's so different" because I'm starting to irritate myself) ... hard! Getting up without the usual school routine, without the social aspect of seeing our friends in person, and motivating ourselves to do what we know is best is not for the faint of heart.

Self-motivation is our internal drive to keep going, even when things are tough. But what do we do when our self-motivation is stuck in the mud?

This is another one of those "I-wish-I-had-a-magic-wand" things ... if I could just hand out self-motivation like candy, trust me, I would.

What I can tell you is this ... IT MATTERS. It's a quiet day where it seems like there is nothing going on? IT MATTERS! You're battling disappointment and discouragement? TODAY STILL MATTERS! Your goals seem so far away that what does today matter? IT MATTERS!

I can't say it enough. It matters. Today matters. You matter.

The majority of times motivation is a head-shift. Maybe the circumstances around us don't change, but our attitude and outlook changes ... and that changes everything.

I realize the world is crazy, but I also want to remind you that the world is still spinning. And as long as you woke up with breath in your lungs this morning ... your life has purpose.

Being able to identify that we have poor self-motivation is the first step, but it can't stop there. We actually have to do something about it if we want to see anything change!

I'm keeping this list crazy simple because I want it to be something we actually DO. Lists and strategies are great, but if all we ever do is read about it, it doesn't actually benefit us. Even if you take one item off this list and start incorporating it into your daily schedule, that's a step in the right direction!

1. Create a keystone habit (see the video above!): A keystone habit is "a small change or habit that people introduce into their routine that unintentionally carries over into other aspects of their lives." Simply put ... do SOMETHING different. Wake up and make your bed. Normally do school in your bed? Get up and sit at the table. Dedicate 15 minutes that you won't look at your phone (not even if it dings!). Exercise. Pick one thing that you are going to incorporate into your day that is different than your usual. When you start your day by adding one simple task, it creates a domino effect on the rest of our day.

2. Set small goals for your day: Keep them simple and write them down. Having a checklist gives us a visual aid that we are accomplishing something, and checking things off that list becomes really satisfying. Make a new list each morning of what you would like to accomplish for the day. Stay consistent.

3. Take care of your body: Drink water - eat healthy foods during the day - move your body! This stuff is all basic, but it's so important. Our bodies need fuel to function. Not much time between classes? Do some jumping jacks ... do a plank ... walk a lap around your house. Little breaks are better than no breaks at all!

In a world inundated with distractions, it’s powerful to have a daily reminder of what you want to actively focus on, or manifest, every day. Not sure what your word is? Take the quiz HERE (scroll down to "What's Your Word - Start Quiz"). Once you have chosen the word that resonates the most with you, write it down and put it somewhere that you will see it as a daily reminder of what you are striving for.

(And for all 7-12th graders that want me to send them a reminder ... complete the form below giving me your name and your word!)

... but honestly it's worth re-watching. Goodness ... wake up and watch it every morning if you need to!!

Looking for answers to your academic questions, career options, or college planning? Looking for local job opportunities or resources for mental health? Please scroll through my website and become familiar with it's contents! This can also be found on the Battle Lake School Main Page --> District --> Counselor's Corner