Video Spotlight: how am I always motivated?

“I think motivation is the core of focused work and study.”

Ruby Granger is well-known for her seemingly constant buzz of motivation and productivity. However, what we want to know is how does she do it? In her new video, Ruby takes us through a step-by-step guide on how to stay motivated, and effectively work smarter while studying, or just being productive in general.

Firstly, Ruby gives us tips on how to stay motivated in the long term. She suggests thinking about why we want to be productive, and it’s importance to our long term goals. For example, keeping an “ideas book” to list our more ambitious goals, and thus refer back to when feeling unmotivated, to keep that reminder of what we want to achieve. “Understanding your personal goals for your life is so so important” says Ruby, defining just how important smaller goals are for the long term gain.

Next up, Ruby explores the ways we can keep ourselves motivated and “excited” to work in short term bursts. Firstly, she suggests “turning work into play” meaning finding enjoyment in the otherwise long process of work or study. Ruby tells us how this can help us avoid procrastination and references the Sawyer Effect: always wanting to play, never wanting to work. But how can we enjoy studying?

Ruby gives us a few things we can try to help make studying that little bit easier. This includes a good study space, using candles or positioning your desk near a window, also decorating with flowers and photos. She goes on to suggest thinking about new and unique ways we can study such as making board games. Finally, Ruby considers switching between tasks throughout the day to keep up morale and be more productive whilst working.

“We’re a to do list culture, we love a good to do list” Ruby says, moving onto the next tip for increased motivation. Who doesn’t love that accomplished feeling of ticking off items on a to do list? “Little successes keep us going” meaning that once we’ve completed a small task, we feel more productive and more likely to keep going with our work. Ruby states that having a physical receipt of our successes helps with our sense of achievement, therefore starting with an easy and fun task will help to get the ball rolling!

We know how important study breaks are during a working session. However, Ruby suggests to not take a break when finishing a big task, but instead “take a break at the least natural feeling point.” This allows us to feel more excited and ready to get back to work, stopping procrastination and feeling more motivated overall.

Finally, Ruby ends the video by suggesting we keep a list of things that get us motivated. Whether that be books, TV shows, interviews, poetry, a small list of inspiring quotes or segments that may be the push we need to feel excited about work. “When feeling unmotivated, you can have a quick look through this list… helping to get into a motivated state that has helped in the past.” Ruby gives suggestions such as exercise, studying with someone (over FaceTime in the current climate!), wearing something nice, meditation, drinking water, fresh air, and music playlists.

Thank you Ruby for always keeping us productive!