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Everyone struggles with homework sometimes, but if getting your homework done has become a chronic issue for you, then you may need a little extra help. That’s why we’ve written this article all about how to do homework. Once you’re finished reading it, you’ll know how to do homework (and have tons of new ways to motivate yourself to do homework)!

We’ve broken this article down into a few major sections. You’ll find:

  • A diagnostic test to help you figure out why you’re struggling with homework
  • A discussion of the four major homework problems students face, along with expert tips for addressing them
  • A bonus section with tips for how to do homework fast

By the end of this article, you’ll be prepared to tackle whatever homework assignments your teachers throw at you .

So let’s get started!

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How to Do Homework: Figure Out Your Struggles 

Sometimes it feels like everything is standing between you and getting your homework done. But the truth is, most people only have one or two major roadblocks that are keeping them from getting their homework done well and on time. 

The best way to figure out how to get motivated to do homework starts with pinpointing the issues that are affecting your ability to get your assignments done. That’s why we’ve developed a short quiz to help you identify the areas where you’re struggling. 

Take the quiz below and record your answers on your phone or on a scrap piece of paper. Keep in mind there are no wrong answers! 

1. You’ve just been assigned an essay in your English class that’s due at the end of the week. What’s the first thing you do?

A. Keep it in mind, even though you won’t start it until the day before it’s due  B. Open up your planner. You’ve got to figure out when you’ll write your paper since you have band practice, a speech tournament, and your little sister’s dance recital this week, too.  C. Groan out loud. Another essay? You could barely get yourself to write the last one!  D. Start thinking about your essay topic, which makes you think about your art project that’s due the same day, which reminds you that your favorite artist might have just posted to Instagram...so you better check your feed right now. 

2. Your mom asked you to pick up your room before she gets home from work. You’ve just gotten home from school. You decide you’ll tackle your chores: 

A. Five minutes before your mom walks through the front door. As long as it gets done, who cares when you start?  B. As soon as you get home from your shift at the local grocery store.  C. After you give yourself a 15-minute pep talk about how you need to get to work.  D. You won’t get it done. Between texts from your friends, trying to watch your favorite Netflix show, and playing with your dog, you just lost track of time! 

3. You’ve signed up to wash dogs at the Humane Society to help earn money for your senior class trip. You: 

A. Show up ten minutes late. You put off leaving your house until the last minute, then got stuck in unexpected traffic on the way to the shelter.  B. Have to call and cancel at the last minute. You forgot you’d already agreed to babysit your cousin and bake cupcakes for tomorrow’s bake sale.  C. Actually arrive fifteen minutes early with extra brushes and bandanas you picked up at the store. You’re passionate about animals, so you’re excited to help out! D. Show up on time, but only get three dogs washed. You couldn’t help it: you just kept getting distracted by how cute they were!

4. You have an hour of downtime, so you decide you’re going to watch an episode of The Great British Baking Show. You: 

A. Scroll through your social media feeds for twenty minutes before hitting play, which means you’re not able to finish the whole episode. Ugh! You really wanted to see who was sent home!  B. Watch fifteen minutes until you remember you’re supposed to pick up your sister from band practice before heading to your part-time job. No GBBO for you!  C. You finish one episode, then decide to watch another even though you’ve got SAT studying to do. It’s just more fun to watch people make scones.  D. Start the episode, but only catch bits and pieces of it because you’re reading Twitter, cleaning out your backpack, and eating a snack at the same time.

5. Your teacher asks you to stay after class because you’ve missed turning in two homework assignments in a row. When she asks you what’s wrong, you say: 

A. You planned to do your assignments during lunch, but you ran out of time. You decided it would be better to turn in nothing at all than submit unfinished work.  B. You really wanted to get the assignments done, but between your extracurriculars, family commitments, and your part-time job, your homework fell through the cracks.  C. You have a hard time psyching yourself to tackle the assignments. You just can’t seem to find the motivation to work on them once you get home.  D. You tried to do them, but you had a hard time focusing. By the time you realized you hadn’t gotten anything done, it was already time to turn them in. 

Like we said earlier, there are no right or wrong answers to this quiz (though your results will be better if you answered as honestly as possible). Here’s how your answers break down: 

  • If your answers were mostly As, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is procrastination. 
  • If your answers were mostly Bs, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is time management. 
  • If your answers were mostly Cs, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is motivation. 
  • If your answers were mostly Ds, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is getting distracted. 

Now that you’ve identified why you’re having a hard time getting your homework done, we can help you figure out how to fix it! Scroll down to find your core problem area to learn more about how you can start to address it. 

And one more thing: you’re really struggling with homework, it’s a good idea to read through every section below. You may find some additional tips that will help make homework less intimidating. 

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How to Do Homework When You’re a Procrastinator  

Merriam Webster defines “procrastinate” as “to put off intentionally and habitually.” In other words, procrastination is when you choose to do something at the last minute on a regular basis. If you’ve ever found yourself pulling an all-nighter, trying to finish an assignment between periods, or sprinting to turn in a paper minutes before a deadline, you’ve experienced the effects of procrastination. 

If you’re a chronic procrastinator, you’re in good company. In fact, one study found that 70% to 95% of undergraduate students procrastinate when it comes to doing their homework. Unfortunately, procrastination can negatively impact your grades. Researchers have found that procrastination can lower your grade on an assignment by as much as five points ...which might not sound serious until you realize that can mean the difference between a B- and a C+. 

Procrastination can also negatively affect your health by increasing your stress levels , which can lead to other health conditions like insomnia, a weakened immune system, and even heart conditions. Getting a handle on procrastination can not only improve your grades, it can make you feel better, too! 

The big thing to understand about procrastination is that it’s not the result of laziness. Laziness is defined as being “disinclined to activity or exertion.” In other words, being lazy is all about doing nothing. But a s this Psychology Today article explains , procrastinators don’t put things off because they don’t want to work. Instead, procrastinators tend to postpone tasks they don’t want to do in favor of tasks that they perceive as either more important or more fun. Put another way, procrastinators want to do things...as long as it’s not their homework! 

3 Tips f or Conquering Procrastination 

Because putting off doing homework is a common problem, there are lots of good tactics for addressing procrastination. Keep reading for our three expert tips that will get your homework habits back on track in no time. 

#1: Create a Reward System

Like we mentioned earlier, procrastination happens when you prioritize other activities over getting your homework done. Many times, this happens because homework...well, just isn’t enjoyable. But you can add some fun back into the process by rewarding yourself for getting your work done. 

Here’s what we mean: let’s say you decide that every time you get your homework done before the day it’s due, you’ll give yourself a point. For every five points you earn, you’ll treat yourself to your favorite dessert: a chocolate cupcake! Now you have an extra (delicious!) incentive to motivate you to leave procrastination in the dust. 

If you’re not into cupcakes, don’t worry. Your reward can be anything that motivates you . Maybe it’s hanging out with your best friend or an extra ten minutes of video game time. As long as you’re choosing something that makes homework worth doing, you’ll be successful. 

#2: Have a Homework Accountability Partner 

If you’re having trouble getting yourself to start your homework ahead of time, it may be a good idea to call in reinforcements . Find a friend or classmate you can trust and explain to them that you’re trying to change your homework habits. Ask them if they’d be willing to text you to make sure you’re doing your homework and check in with you once a week to see if you’re meeting your anti-procrastination goals. 

Sharing your goals can make them feel more real, and an accountability partner can help hold you responsible for your decisions. For example, let’s say you’re tempted to put off your science lab write-up until the morning before it’s due. But you know that your accountability partner is going to text you about it tomorrow...and you don’t want to fess up that you haven’t started your assignment. A homework accountability partner can give you the extra support and incentive you need to keep your homework habits on track. 

#3: Create Your Own Due Dates 

If you’re a life-long procrastinator, you might find that changing the habit is harder than you expected. In that case, you might try using procrastination to your advantage! If you just can’t seem to stop doing your work at the last minute, try setting your own due dates for assignments that range from a day to a week before the assignment is actually due. 

Here’s what we mean. Let’s say you have a math worksheet that’s been assigned on Tuesday and is due on Friday. In your planner, you can write down the due date as Thursday instead. You may still put off your homework assignment until the last minute...but in this case, the “last minute” is a day before the assignment’s real due date . This little hack can trick your procrastination-addicted brain into planning ahead! 

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If you feel like Kevin Hart in this meme, then our tips for doing homework when you're busy are for you. 

How to Do Homework When You’re too Busy

If you’re aiming to go to a top-tier college , you’re going to have a full plate. Because college admissions is getting more competitive, it’s important that you’re maintaining your grades , studying hard for your standardized tests , and participating in extracurriculars so your application stands out. A packed schedule can get even more hectic once you add family obligations or a part-time job to the mix. 

If you feel like you’re being pulled in a million directions at once, you’re not alone. Recent research has found that stress—and more severe stress-related conditions like anxiety and depression— are a major problem for high school students . In fact, one study from the American Psychological Association found that during the school year, students’ stress levels are higher than those of the adults around them. 

For students, homework is a major contributor to their overall stress levels . Many high schoolers have multiple hours of homework every night , and figuring out how to fit it into an already-packed schedule can seem impossible. 

3 Tips for Fitting Homework Into Your Busy Schedule

While it might feel like you have literally no time left in your schedule, there are still ways to make sure you’re able to get your homework done and meet your other commitments. Here are our expert homework tips for even the busiest of students. 

#1: Make a Prioritized To-Do List 

You probably already have a to-do list to keep yourself on track. The next step is to prioritize the items on your to-do list so you can see what items need your attention right away. 

Here’s how it works: at the beginning of each day, sit down and make a list of all the items you need to get done before you go to bed. This includes your homework, but it should also take into account any practices, chores, events, or job shifts you may have. Once you get everything listed out, it’s time to prioritize them using the labels A, B, and C. Here’s what those labels mean:

  • A Tasks : tasks that have to get done—like showing up at work or turning in an assignment—get an A. 
  • B Tasks : these are tasks that you would like to get done by the end of the day but aren’t as time sensitive. For example, studying for a test you have next week could be a B-level task. It’s still important, but it doesn’t have to be done right away.
  • C Tasks: these are tasks that aren’t very important and/or have no real consequences if you don’t get them done immediately. For instance, if you’re hoping to clean out your closet but it’s not an assigned chore from your parents, you could label that to-do item with a C.

Prioritizing your to-do list helps you visualize which items need your immediate attention, and which items you can leave for later. A prioritized to-do list ensures that you’re spending your time efficiently and effectively, which helps you make room in your schedule for homework. So even though you might really want to start making decorations for Homecoming (a B task), you’ll know that finishing your reading log (an A task) is more important. 

#2: Use a Planner With Time Labels

Your planner is probably packed with notes, events, and assignments already. (And if you’re not using a planner, it’s time to start!) But planners can do more for you than just remind you when an assignment is due. If you’re using a planner with time labels, it can help you visualize how you need to spend your day.

A planner with time labels breaks your day down into chunks, and you assign tasks to each chunk of time. For example, you can make a note of your class schedule with assignments, block out time to study, and make sure you know when you need to be at practice. Once you know which tasks take priority, you can add them to any empty spaces in your day. 

Planning out how you spend your time not only helps you use it wisely, it can help you feel less overwhelmed, too . We’re big fans of planners that include a task list ( like this one ) or have room for notes ( like this one ). 

#3: Set Reminders on Your Phone 

If you need a little extra nudge to make sure you’re getting your homework done on time, it’s a good idea to set some reminders on your phone. You don’t need a fancy app, either. You can use your alarm app to have it go off at specific times throughout the day to remind you to do your homework. This works especially well if you have a set homework time scheduled. So if you’ve decided you’re doing homework at 6:00 pm, you can set an alarm to remind you to bust out your books and get to work. 

If you use your phone as your planner, you may have the option to add alerts, emails, or notifications to scheduled events . Many calendar apps, including the one that comes with your phone, have built-in reminders that you can customize to meet your needs. So if you block off time to do your homework from 4:30 to 6:00 pm, you can set a reminder that will pop up on your phone when it’s time to get started. 

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This dog isn't judging your lack of motivation...but your teacher might. Keep reading for tips to help you motivate yourself to do your homework.

How to Do Homework When You’re Unmotivated 

At first glance, it may seem like procrastination and being unmotivated are the same thing. After all, both of these issues usually result in you putting off your homework until the very last minute. 

But there’s one key difference: many procrastinators are working, they’re just prioritizing work differently. They know they’re going to start their homework...they’re just going to do it later. 

Conversely, people who are unmotivated to do homework just can’t find the willpower to tackle their assignments. Procrastinators know they’ll at least attempt the homework at the last minute, whereas people who are unmotivated struggle with convincing themselves to do it at a ll. For procrastinators, the stress comes from the inevitable time crunch. For unmotivated people, the stress comes from trying to convince themselves to do something they don’t want to do in the first place. 

Here are some common reasons students are unmotivated in doing homework : 

  • Assignments are too easy, too hard, or seemingly pointless 
  • Students aren’t interested in (or passionate about) the subject matter
  • Students are intimidated by the work and/or feels like they don’t understand the assignment 
  • Homework isn’t fun, and students would rather spend their time on things that they enjoy 

To sum it up: people who lack motivation to do their homework are more likely to not do it at all, or to spend more time worrying about doing their homework than...well, actually doing it.

3 Tips for How to Get Motivated to Do Homework

The key to getting homework done when you’re unmotivated is to figure out what does motivate you, then apply those things to homework. It sounds tricky...but it’s pretty simple once you get the hang of it! Here are our three expert tips for motivating yourself to do your homework. 

#1: Use Incremental Incentives

When you’re not motivated, it’s important to give yourself small rewards to stay focused on finishing the task at hand. The trick is to keep the incentives small and to reward yourself often. For example, maybe you’re reading a good book in your free time. For every ten minutes you spend on your homework, you get to read five pages of your book. Like we mentioned earlier, make sure you’re choosing a reward that works for you! 

So why does this technique work? Using small rewards more often allows you to experience small wins for getting your work done. Every time you make it to one of your tiny reward points, you get to celebrate your success, which gives your brain a boost of dopamine . Dopamine helps you stay motivated and also creates a feeling of satisfaction when you complete your homework !  

#2: Form a Homework Group 

If you’re having trouble motivating yourself, it’s okay to turn to others for support. Creating a homework group can help with this. Bring together a group of your friends or classmates, and pick one time a week where you meet and work on homework together. You don’t have to be in the same class, or even taking the same subjects— the goal is to encourage one another to start (and finish!) your assignments. 

Another added benefit of a homework group is that you can help one another if you’re struggling to understand the material covered in your classes. This is especially helpful if your lack of motivation comes from being intimidated by your assignments. Asking your friends for help may feel less scary than talking to your teacher...and once you get a handle on the material, your homework may become less frightening, too. 

#3: Change Up Your Environment 

If you find that you’re totally unmotivated, it may help if you find a new place to do your homework. For example, if you’ve been struggling to get your homework done at home, try spending an extra hour in the library after school instead. The change of scenery can limit your distractions and give you the energy you need to get your work done. 

If you’re stuck doing homework at home, you can still use this tip. For instance, maybe you’ve always done your homework sitting on your bed. Try relocating somewhere else, like your kitchen table, for a few weeks. You may find that setting up a new “homework spot” in your house gives you a motivational lift and helps you get your work done. 

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Social media can be a huge problem when it comes to doing homework. We have advice for helping you unplug and regain focus.

How to Do Homework When You’re Easily Distracted

We live in an always-on world, and there are tons of things clamoring for our attention. From friends and family to pop culture and social media, it seems like there’s always something (or someone!) distracting us from the things we need to do.

The 24/7 world we live in has affected our ability to focus on tasks for prolonged periods of time. Research has shown that over the past decade, an average person’s attention span has gone from 12 seconds to eight seconds . And when we do lose focus, i t takes people a long time to get back on task . One study found that it can take as long as 23 minutes to get back to work once we’ve been distracte d. No wonder it can take hours to get your homework done! 

3 Tips to Improve Your Focus

If you have a hard time focusing when you’re doing your homework, it’s a good idea to try and eliminate as many distractions as possible. Here are three expert tips for blocking out the noise so you can focus on getting your homework done. 

#1: Create a Distraction-Free Environment

Pick a place where you’ll do your homework every day, and make it as distraction-free as possible. Try to find a location where there won’t be tons of noise, and limit your access to screens while you’re doing your homework. Put together a focus-oriented playlist (or choose one on your favorite streaming service), and put your headphones on while you work. 

You may find that other people, like your friends and family, are your biggest distraction. If that’s the case, try setting up some homework boundaries. Let them know when you’ll be working on homework every day, and ask them if they’ll help you keep a quiet environment. They’ll be happy to lend a hand! 

#2: Limit Your Access to Technology 

We know, we know...this tip isn’t fun, but it does work. For homework that doesn’t require a computer, like handouts or worksheets, it’s best to put all your technology away . Turn off your television, put your phone and laptop in your backpack, and silence notifications on any wearable tech you may be sporting. If you listen to music while you work, that’s fine...but make sure you have a playlist set up so you’re not shuffling through songs once you get started on your homework. 

If your homework requires your laptop or tablet, it can be harder to limit your access to distractions. But it’s not impossible! T here are apps you can download that will block certain websites while you’re working so that you’re not tempted to scroll through Twitter or check your Facebook feed. Silence notifications and text messages on your computer, and don’t open your email account unless you absolutely have to. And if you don’t need access to the internet to complete your assignments, turn off your WiFi. Cutting out the online chatter is a great way to make sure you’re getting your homework done. 

#3: Set a Timer (the Pomodoro Technique)

Have you ever heard of the Pomodoro technique ? It’s a productivity hack that uses a timer to help you focus!

Here’s how it works: first, set a timer for 25 minutes. This is going to be your work time. During this 25 minutes, all you can do is work on whatever homework assignment you have in front of you. No email, no text messaging, no phone calls—just homework. When that timer goes off, you get to take a 5 minute break. Every time you go through one of these cycles, it’s called a “pomodoro.” For every four pomodoros you complete, you can take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes.

The pomodoro technique works through a combination of boundary setting and rewards. First, it gives you a finite amount of time to focus, so you know that you only have to work really hard for 25 minutes. Once you’ve done that, you’re rewarded with a short break where you can do whatever you want. Additionally, tracking how many pomodoros you complete can help you see how long you’re really working on your homework. (Once you start using our focus tips, you may find it doesn’t take as long as you thought!)

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Two Bonus Tips for How to Do Homework Fast

Even if you’re doing everything right, there will be times when you just need to get your homework done as fast as possible. (Why do teachers always have projects due in the same week? The world may never know.)

The problem with speeding through homework is that it’s easy to make mistakes. While turning in an assignment is always better than not submitting anything at all, you want to make sure that you’re not compromising quality for speed. Simply put, the goal is to get your homework done quickly and still make a good grade on the assignment! 

Here are our two bonus tips for getting a decent grade on your homework assignments , even when you’re in a time crunch. 

#1: Do the Easy Parts First 

This is especially true if you’re working on a handout with multiple questions. Before you start working on the assignment, read through all the questions and problems. As you do, make a mark beside the questions you think are “easy” to answer . 

Once you’ve finished going through the whole assignment, you can answer these questions first. Getting the easy questions out of the way as quickly as possible lets you spend more time on the trickier portions of your homework, which will maximize your assignment grade. 

(Quick note: this is also a good strategy to use on timed assignments and tests, like the SAT and the ACT !) 

#2: Pay Attention in Class 

Homework gets a lot easier when you’re actively learning the material. Teachers aren’t giving you homework because they’re mean or trying to ruin your weekend... it’s because they want you to really understand the course material. Homework is designed to reinforce what you’re already learning in class so you’ll be ready to tackle harder concepts later.

When you pay attention in class, ask questions, and take good notes, you’re absorbing the information you’ll need to succeed on your homework assignments. (You’re stuck in class anyway, so you might as well make the most of it!) Not only will paying attention in class make your homework less confusing, it will also help it go much faster, too.

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What’s Next?

If you’re looking to improve your productivity beyond homework, a good place to begin is with time management. After all, we only have so much time in a day...so it’s important to get the most out of it! To get you started, check out this list of the 12 best time management techniques that you can start using today.

You may have read this article because homework struggles have been affecting your GPA. Now that you’re on the path to homework success, it’s time to start being proactive about raising your grades. This article teaches you everything you need to know about raising your GPA so you can

Now you know how to get motivated to do homework...but what about your study habits? Studying is just as critical to getting good grades, and ultimately getting into a good college . We can teach you how to study bette r in high school. (We’ve also got tons of resources to help you study for your ACT and SAT exams , too!)

These recommendations are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If you purchase an item through one of our links, PrepScholar may receive a commission.

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Ashley Sufflé Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English Literature. As a content writer for PrepScholar, Ashley is passionate about giving college-bound students the in-depth information they need to get into the school of their dreams.

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How to Focus on Homework and Actually Get Things Done: 12 Hacks for Busy Students

  • September 15, 2022

A teen using his laptop and learning how to focus on homework

Chances are, you’ve had some days when you felt overwhelmed after a long day at school. You couldn’t imagine doing anything other than plopping down in front of the television, let alone finding out how to focus on your homework. 

How can you overcome the resistance and get it done? How do you get your mind to include this task in your day as well?

With just a few adjustments, you will be able to expand your capacity to concentrate.

Why Can’t I Focus on My Homework?

Countless factors constantly fight for your attention : social media, people, overthinking, and anxiety. All of this can make you feel as though you have little control over your mind. 

If you want to start to focus better on your homework, you’ll need to set your mind up for success. Remove all distractions .

Here are two key principles that can help you be more successful in your studies:

1. Identify the distractions in your surroundings

What are the things in your daily life that take your mind away from your studies? Clearly identifying these distractions can help you understand both the problem and what causes it.

Among our environmental distractions, digital distractions are one of the worst kinds, and according to a number of studies , their effect is on the rise in the classroom.

If you’re looking to gain more concentration and, thus, form better study habits, question your online behavior first and foremost.

2. Limit the use of technology to find focus

What’s the role of social media in your daily life? Have you ever sat down to calculate how social media distracts you from doing the things you should be doing?

When you are wondering how to focus on homework long after you’ve put your phone away, you’re still thinking about the last posts you saw on Instagram. The sound of new notifications can be enough to reroute our attention from the task at hand.

And then comes the information overload, the fear of missing out, and the all-too-common signs of addictive behavior. Technology is affecting your mind more than ever, and it’s taking your focus away.

A teenager learning how to focus on homework

How to Focus on Homework: 12 Things You Can Do to Be More Indistractible

Here are 12 tips on how to stay focused while completing your homework, taught by superbrain coach Jim Kwik and habit transformation expert Nir Eyal .

  • Make a routine
  • Set up a study-friendly environment
  • Avoid heavy meals
  • Organize your study notes
  • Tell others to stay away
  • Listen to study music
  • Set deadlines
  • Take brain breaks
  • Use discomfort as motivation for productivity
  • Use time blocking
  • Let go of thoughts that distract you
  • Reimagine your task

Let’s look at each study hack in more detail.

1. Make a routine

Routines help you be productive without exerting as much effort. When you have homework to do, a study routine can be the reason you actually sit down, set enough time aside, concentrate, and stay focused until you complete the project.

This process doesn’t need to be complicated: just tell yourself that you will sit at your desk at home once you’re back from school. Put your phone on silent, make an outline of the work that needs to get done, and simply begin with what’s most important.

2. Set up a study-friendly environment

A place for everything and everything in its place. That applies to studying, too.

Lying in bed with your notebook is considered a distraction, as is being in the living room with your laptop while others are doing their activities.

You need an isolated place when you decide to focus on your homework. Make it feel comfortable, keep it organized, keep it clean, and consider putting up some motivational posters or positive affirmations .

3. Avoid heavy meals

It’s not advisable to have a big meal beforehand. Big meals can ruin your focus and make you feel sluggish and lazy because it takes a big amount of time and energy for your body to digest. A snack is okay.

There are also some foods , though, that are just plain bad for your productivity. For example, soda, candy, and fried foods are all full of sugar and have no nutritional value. They make your insulin spike up, but then it crashes very fast, which makes you feel depleted of energy.

4. Organize your study notes

Prioritize your work. Keep lists and place the most important items on top. Then work on the items that you should get done first.

It helps to outline what you need to do, breaking it down into smaller, more manageable steps. Use colors to highlight the essentials . 

This makes it all look much simpler and you’re more likely to actually get started. The brain loves organization and it won’t be so likely to procrastinate when it knows you have a structure set in place.

5. Tell others to stay away

Don’t be afraid to let others know that you’re studying and require some time and space to get your work done. Decide on fixed hours for studying and tell your friends and family members that you won’t be available during that time of the day.

If others respect your study time, you’ll be more inclined to respect it as well. 

6. Listen to study music

There are many tracks out there designed to help your mind focus. Whether you use binaural beats or just instrumental music, the right sounds can really help to tune your brain into a productive frequency.

This meditation is also great to listen to; it puts your mind in a clear, concise, and ready-to-take-on-the-world mode:

7. Set deadlines

Even if your teacher has already given you deadlines for each assignment, set new ones yourself at earlier dates.

This helps you build discipline, learn how to focus on studying, and prioritize every day.

8. Take brain breaks

Frequent breaks actually increase your productivity and focus. You’ll see that after each study session, the brain needs to be engaged with something different —  you need to activate other parts of your brain before going back to your studies so that you can reach top performance.

You can also use the Superbrain Yoga Technique. In the Superbrain Quest, Jim talks about implementing it during your breaks. It goes as follows:

  • Massage the left lobe of your ear with your right hand, and the right one with your left hand
  • Inhale and squat down
  • Exhale and come back up while continuing massaging your opposite ear with the opposite hand
  • Keep going for a few minutes
As your body moves, your brain grooves. — Jim Kwik, trainer of Mindvalley’s Superbrain Quest

9. Use discomfort as motivation for productivity

The brain is wired to protect us from danger, and our ancestors needed this function of the psyche to survive. Discomfort is associated with danger, and whenever they felt it, they knew it was time to run away or protect themselves in one way or another.

In today’s world, danger isn’t so imminent. However, discomfort is, and the brain still works to protect us in the same way. 

So why not use it to your advantage?

Once you have this mindset shift, you can see the discomfort that comes with doing your homework as fuel for moving forward, from pain to pleasure. So instead of procrastinating and avoiding the discomfort, just use it as motivation to get things done.

And maybe you can even save yourself a fun activity to do later in the day, so you have something to look forward to.

10. Use time blocking

You can use time blocking and set a specific amount of time for parts of your homework that needs to be done. For example, you block 30 minutes of reading, then another 30 minutes of writing down highlights from the text. 

This method will give you more structure and support you when you need to focus on school work, as you will have a dedicated structured time to do so.

11. Let go of thoughts that distract you

When you need more concentration, but your thoughts keep getting in the way, here’s a fun visualization exercise you can use:

  • Before you start working on your homework, close down your eyes and imagine a flowing river in front of you. 
  • Now, place every thought on a leaf and let it run down the river while watching it move away from you. 

Do this repeatedly for 5-10 minutes and see how your mind becomes clearer, more productive, and more inspired.

12. Reimagine your task

How can you make the process of doing your homework more fun? Is there any way you can think of to make it more exciting and engaging?

As you introduce play and fun into any task, your capacity to stay focused will increase. So just try out different methods to engage more in your homework. 

For example, what if you made a trivia quest about your history lesson homework? Or what about riddles to make you remember all the characters from the novel you have to read? 

Once you play around with these kinds of games, you might find that focusing on your homework isn’t as boring as you thought it would be.

Unleash the Power of Your Focus

Discovering how to focus on your homework can go beyond schoolwork and actually support you in many other activities you want to do. Concentration is one of the best skills to nurture for your growth.

If you need a little guidance at the beginning of your focusing journey, Mindvalley has it in store for you. 

By unlocking your FREE Mindvalley access , you can check out sample classes from quests that help you develop better focus and study habits, such as Becoming Focused and Indistractable by Nir Eyal and Superbrain by Jim Kwik. You can also immerse yourself in beautiful sounds and guided meditations designed to improve concentration and help you enter the flow state.

The earlier you start, the greater your journey of self-discovery will be. Welcome in.

— Images generated on Midjourney.

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Jim Kwik is the trainer of Mindvalley’s Superbrain and Super Reading Quests. He’s a brain coach and a world expert in speed reading, memory improvement, and optimal brain performance. Known as the “boy with the broken brain” due to a childhood injury, Jim discovered strategies to dramatically enhance his mental performance. He is now committed to helping people improve their memory, learn to speed-read, increase their decision-making skills, and turn on their superbrain. He has shared his techniques with Hollywood actors, Fortune 500 companies, and trailblazing entrepreneurs like Elon Musk and Richard Branson to reach their highest level of mental performance. He is also one of the most sought-after trainers for top organizations like Harvard University, Nike, Virgin, and GE.

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homework motivation hacks

Education Corner

16 Study Motivation Tips, Tricks, and Hacks

Photo of author

Study for two minutes. Check Instagram. Study for two minutes. Browse Netflix. Study for two minutes. Check email. Study for two minutes. Get lost in TikTok indefinitely.

If this sounds like your typical study session, you’re certainly not alone. You need a little help to kick your motivation into high gear, especially if you have a test coming up.

Maybe coming here is your next form of procrastination. If so, at least you’re on the right page. If nothing else, it’s a good distraction from studying, and you might find something useful to up your study game.

Not every study motivation strategy works for everyone, but there’s something out there that will work for you. We’ve compiled a list of study motivation ideas to try when you need to buckle down and get it done.

Browse our ideas below and try out a few of them. Some will work well in isolation, others work well when combined, and some may work for you today but not tomorrow.

Tips to improve study motivation

1. Website and app blockers

The internet can be a great tool to help you with your studies, but distractions, too, are always a click away. You could say this is a matter of discipline, but sadly, the odds aren’t in your favor.

Some of the greatest minds of our generation work around the clock to “increase engagement,” which means getting you to spend every waking moment scrolling and liking things . This is where distraction-blocking software comes into the picture.

These are “classic” study motivation tools because they work by literally taking away what is distracting you (assuming your distraction is digital). So, these are a great option if you need just a little help with your self-control.

There are quite a few blockers available for your phone and your computer. Some popular ones include Freedom , Cold Turkey Blocker , LeechBlock NG , RescueTime , SelfControl , AppBlock , and PawBlock .

They all work similarly: they block whatever websites/apps you want them to block for the time you specify. But make sure you choose a website blocker that you cannot bypass.

This is an ideal option for you if you sound like the person described at the beginning of this article. So, take a minute to think about what websites or apps tend to suck up most of your time and block them while you study.

If this sounds insanely difficult, begin with short blocks of time and work your way up.

2. The Pomodoro technique

At its core, the Pomodoro Technique is very simple: Study for 25 minutes, take a break for 5-10 minutes, repeat the cycle four times, take a longer break, and repeat again:

Pomodoro technique

The technique effectively improves productivity due to its structured approach that combines focused work intervals with regular breaks.

There are different variations of this technique. Sometimes, shorter study intervals or repeating the cycle three times may work best before taking a longer break. You can always customize what works best for you.

Knowing the end is in sight and a break is coming up makes studying for longer periods of time easier.

To help you keep track of time and avoid constantly checking the clock, set a timer for both your study sessions and your breaks. You can also use online Pomodoro time trackers that automatically remind you about the intervals.

Make the most of your breaks by getting up and engaging in a physical activity, such as a walk or stretch, that gets your blood pumping. If you use your breaks to watch 10 minutes of a TV show, you probably won’t be very motivated to jump back in.

The Pomodoro Technique also works well with website and app blockers. Some blockers, such as FocusMe and Session , make using this technique simple and offer a Pomodoro timer as an embedded feature.

3. Create your own reward system

According to psychology theory, some people are motivated to do things because of their internal desires and wishes, while others are motivated by external rewards (also known as incentive theory ):

Reward system

So, if you belong to the latter, external rewards are a good way to keep yourself motivated.

You could, for instance, link something that you really want – a box of cookies, a break to go for a run, a trip to the movies, etc. as a reward for completing a study session. Maybe you buy some cookies and allow yourself to eat them only when you’ve studied for an hour.

Rewards can be designed with varying depths.

For example, you could see a new movie once you’ve studied for three hours or mastered 20 terms. Or you pick up some candy and pop one in your mouth whenever you get a correct answer. You could also make your favorite snack but eat only when studying.

Creating shorter reward intervals (like candy) works best when you struggle with focus. Once you get in the groove or find more motivation, you can work up to more delayed gratification.

To maintain pressure and encourage yourself to do well, try creating a reward you can only receive if you do well in the exam or the course.

Have your parents participate—it can be very helpful. For instance, if you get an A, maybe your parents can take you to your favorite restaurant or an amusement park if you get a B.

To be effective, a reward system must be practical and customized to your needs.

There is no point in setting up a reward for an A grade when you know an A is next to impossible. Similarly, don’t reward yourself with a trip to the mall if you don’t like shopping or spending money leads to stress.

4. Schedule your day

In high school, I was more motivated to study during the days when I had a practice or a game scheduled, but on days with no plans, I was easily tempted to procrastinate.

Often, the more free time you have, the easier it is to waste it. But when you have a lot going on and know you won’t have much time to study, it forces you to become laser-focused.

Research indicates that effective time management is crucial to academic success and reduces anxiety levels among students. The approach helps prioritize essential tasks, manage deadlines effectively, and dedicate focused time to each activity, leading to improved academic performance.

By creating a structured schedule, students are less likely to put off tasks because once on the calendar, they are easy to visualize. The work becomes more concrete, and what must be completed becomes clear.

5. Structured procrastination

Yes, you read that right—you can use procrastination to your advantage.

Discovered by Stanford University professor John Perry, structured procrastination is an amazing strategy that converts procrastinators into effective people who are respected and admired for what they can accomplish and the good use they make of time.

The key idea is that procrastination doesn’t mean doing nothing. Procrastinators often do small tasks to avoid the more important ones. However, if the important task were to become a way of avoiding something even more important, the procrastinator would gladly do it.

Messy study room

For structured procrastination to work, think of tasks that you see as more important or difficult than studying and put them at the top of your to-do list. Your procrastinating mind will automatically tell you to avoid them and get busy with studying instead!

6. Find the perfect study spot

In college, I often studied in a comfy chair in the lobby of an infrequently used building. I was comfortable, distractions were minimal, and the place encouraged me to get my work done.

In high school, I loved to study outside in our backyard. I liked getting some fresh air after being stuck in school all day.

Finding the perfect spot to study can sometimes be the key to effective studying. A good study spot improves concentration, productivity, and learning outcomes.

So, choose a spot you absolutely love. It could be your favorite chair or lying outside in a hammock. Or you could create a cozy space in the corner of your bedroom.

Wherever it is, make it your designated study space and use it only for studying. The more you love to be there, the better; you’ll be motivated to study because you will love to go to your favorite spot!

7. Just get started

Oftentimes, starting a task is more difficult than the task itself. Once you sit down and start, you will likely get into the groove.

So, make no excuses. Just sit down and start studying. If you think this tip might work for you, then study.

Literally, right now, stop reading this article and study!

8. Form a study group

If you’re a social person, studying can be difficult because of solitary silence. Having a study group can motivate you .

Your study group could even consist of your parents or a friend who isn’t in the same class. When you go stir-crazy from being quiet and alone, they can help quiz you or keep you company.

You could also get your teacher or professor involved in this one. They want to help you and are unlikely to say no if you ask. Check with them if you and a few friends can come in early, stay late, or hang out during a study hall period to study.

Being in the presence of your teacher will motivate you to study, with the added bonus of having an expert in the room. If you’re putting off studying because the material is confusing and overwhelming, this strategy is bound to help.

As a teacher, I never turned down students who asked for extra help or wanted to study in my classroom. When students would form study groups in my classroom, I was right there to answer any questions and make their study session more productive. I also often gave extra tips or explanations I didn’t give during class.

9. Go to the library or a Café

When you sit down to study and find yourself checking social media, it’s easy to become envious of everyone having a good time. It’s also easy to start thinking you’re the only person in the world studying right now.

This changes when others surround you. At a café or the library, you’ll find a lot of other people reading, studying, and working quietly. Seeing someone else model good study behavior is encouraging.

But how do you decide whether to go to the library or the café? Here are some pros and cons of each:

Pros and cons of studying in a library versus a cafe

During college, the library was my go-to study spot when I couldn’t find it in myself to study. When I got there and saw everyone working hard, I felt like I would be a distraction or feel out of place if I didn’t sit quietly and study.

10. Get lost in music

Many people find that music helps them concentrate while studying. It can offer many benefits , including improved mood, increased motivation, boosted concentration, improved memory and brain function, and better fatigue management.

Research has shown that listening to music can stimulate the same brain regions as other activities you enjoy. Therefore, using your favorite tunes as a reward can be motivating to acquire new knowledge.

Music also helps reduce stress and promotes a positive mindset, which improves mood. Studies suggest that a good mood generally improves learning outcomes . Thus, you will likely have more success studying and learning new material.

However, music affects individuals differently.

For some, it can be distracting and negatively impact working memory and reading comprehension. So, choose your music carefully. If you still struggle, consider white noise or other audio options.

I’m easily distracted when studying or working. If I hear a conversation or somebody has the TV on, it’s very difficult for me to study. To overcome this, I use headphones, which help me quickly forget distractions and concentrate on the task at hand.

11. Post some study motivation quotes

It’s easy to lose track of our passion and goals and become overwhelmed by the challenges we face. Sometimes, the constant pressure to perform can get the best of you.

Motivational quotes can be a powerful tool for staying focused and motivated during these moments of doubt and uncertainty. They can bring back that lost passion and motivation.

Find quotes that motivate you to study (or make up your own) and post them in your room, desk, study spot, or notebook. Here are a few you might find motivating:

study motivation quotes

12. Create a clean workspace

Having a clean and organized space helps your mind be clear and organized. It can reduce stress levels, promote a feeling of calmness and clarity, improve focus and concentration, help prioritize tasks, and boost energy levels.

It might seem strange or silly, but clearing clutter can help you think more clearly. Make it a point to keep your workplace in order during short breaks or when you want to procrastinate a bit longer.

When your space is cluttered, your mind is subconsciously making mental notes of everything else you need to do and what you need to clean up. Sometimes, I don’t even realize how cluttered my workspace is until I clean it up and can suddenly start thinking more clearly.

Cleaning applies to your notes, too. If you take sloppy notes that are unorganized and hard to read, you won’t want to sit down and decipher what you wrote. That’s like asking your brain to do a lot of work even before getting into actual studying.

Take time to type or rewrite your notes, and you will notice that studying won’t feel overwhelming. Here are some quick ways to organize your notes:

  • Use a binder to separate and organize worksheets
  • Make flashcards
  • Organize your notes with a graphic organizer
  • Color code your notes with pens or highlighters

You can also read more about how to take notes in this dedicated article on note-taking.

13. Start with something easy

Some topics can be difficult and boring, which is exactly why you don’t want to do them. Quite understandably, pushing yourself to study such topics is not easy.

Reviewing the terms you already know is a good way to begin such topics. You may then complete a simple or even mindless studying task, like organizing your notes on the subject, and gradually make progress.

Remember that every small action adds up. These simpler tasks give you the momentum you need to keep going. This can also give you confidence if you’re putting off studying because you don’t think you know anything.

14. Remember your why

Think about why you need to study and why you want to do well in your course.

  • Do you need to pass to graduate?
  • Is this course relevant to the field you’re looking to enter?
  • Do you love the subject even though it’s difficult?
  • Do you want to make your family proud?
  • Do you want to prove to yourself that you can do it?

Remembering your why serves as your point of reference and guides your actions and decisions. It helps you stay motivated and keep pushing even during those hard moments.

Revisit your why whenever you don’t feel like studying. It also helps to post your why somewhere so that you’ll see it often.

15. Break it down

Your study topics can be vast, and approaching them all at once can be overwhelming. You may not even know where to begin.

Think about everything you must do to study the entire topic and write them down. Then, break it down into small chunks so you can learn them one at a time.

Don’t try to focus on it all at once; instead, think about what you can do in this moment. As you complete each one, check it off or cross it out.

Seeing your list get smaller will motivate you to learn further.

16. Smart Multitask

Multitasking doesn’t always work when studying, but combining a mindless activity with study can be effective.

For instance, you could incorporate chores into study breaks, exercise while engaging in academic activities, maybe go for a walk when reviewing flashcards, or ride a stationary bike when reading your textbook.

You could even recruit a friend or parent for help. Shoot some hoops, but have them ask you a question between each shot, for example.

Sometimes, I used to go stir-crazy when I had a lot of tests or exams coming up, so I would take my notes to the gym and look over them while on the treadmill or stationary bike. This made studying a little less boring and also saved me some time.

Try a few strategies out

With so many strategies and tips, there’s bound to be at least one that works for you. Test a few out and see if they make a difference.

Remember – these strategies can also be combined to work well.

Studying can be challenging and not always fun, but these techniques can help you stay motivated and make it more manageable.

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  • Create a study schedule
  • Set up a homework tool kit
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  • Have your parents help you
  • Get a tutor
  • Brain food and hydration
  • Take breaks
  • Study at the same time every day
  • Ask for help

homework

Tip #1: Create a study schedule

Homework from certain subjects, such as Maths , may take longer than others. It’s a great idea to plan out a weekly calendar based on your weekly class schedule. You’ll need to keep track of the different deadlines and commitments you have, and anticipate the amount of time you need to get different tasks done. ⏰

Not only will creating a schedule help you stay organised and make sure you get everything done in time, having a well-developed routine will also help you develop your time management skills and take responsibility. Your parents can help you with this if you need a little extra support with organising your time while learning at home .  

Tip #2: Set up a homework toolkit 

It’s a great idea to have everything you need ready to go in your at-home study space, including a homework toolkit. You don’t want to have to get your school supplies in and out of your backpack constantly, and having a separate set of supplies with everything you need at home would make things more fun and easy. ✍️

Why not put together a homework toolbox with stationery and other fun things that you may need for projects and assignments throughout the year? That way, you’ll be ready to get started as soon as it’s time for homework.

Tip #3: Have a dedicated study space 

It’s a great idea to find a distraction-free space to study at home. It doesn’t have to be fancy – you can use a desk or a table and chair to create a zone dedicated to homework . Make sure it’s in a quiet spot with no distractions such as TV nearby while you’re working. 💻

It’s a good idea for you to create a few rules that should be followed in the study area to make sure you stay on track. For example, ‘no digital devices are allowed in the zone’, and ‘the homework zone must be left tidy after the day’s homework is complete’. You can determine these rules for yourself or work it out with the help of your parents. 

Tip #4: Have your parents help you

Your parents are a great resource you can take advantage of if you need help as you’re doing your homework. If you encounter anything that makes you feel confused or need something explained more thoroughly, ask your parent or caretaker to help you. 

However, keep in mind that you’re the one who should be doing your homework – not your parents. Independent learning will allow you to learn from your mistakes and gain an understanding of where you need a little extra help. Your parents should be helping you when you need it, but they shouldn’t be doing your work for you. Homework and revision are crucial elements of learning , so it’s important that you do your own work and understand it. ✔️

Tip #5: Get a tutor

Even with the help of your parents, schoolwork can be difficult. If you find yourself struggling to grasp certain concepts or just think you could benefit from some extra one-on-one support from an experienced tutor, why not try online tutoring ? 

Your parents may realise that much of today’s school curriculum is different to what they were taught during their schooldays. It’s totally okay to admit that there are some subjects you may need some extra help with – which is where tutors come in. 👩🏽‍🏫

Tip #6: Eat brain food and stay hydrated 

Nutrition and hydration is super important when it comes to concentration, focus and energy. After a long day at school, you probably need a snack or a light meal to keep you going until dinnertime – trying to do your homework on an empty stomach isn’t a good idea. 🥗

Check out our best tips for energy foods and brain foods that’ll help you get that homework done, and don’t forget to keep sipping water! Making sure that you’re drinking enough water to stay properly hydrated is important as it’ll help you stay focused on the work at hand. 

Tip #7: Remember to take breaks

While you’re doing your homework, it’s important that you take enough breaks. Breaks are important for your concentration, especially on days when the schedule contains more than three tasks . ☝️

You should try to maintain good posture as you’re studying, and make sure to keep moving. It’s recommended that you get up to use the restroom, get a glass of water or just have a little stretching session once per hour. If you’re committed to your study session, a quick five minute break to regroup will help you maintain focus for longer and retain more of the information you’re taking in!

Tip #8: Study at the same time every day 

Creating good habits is important in order to be successful over time. It’s a good idea for you to build a routine that works for you, and having a designated time to study every day is very beneficial. ⌛

When you decide to study is entirely up to you – some people may prefer to sit down with their homework right after getting home from school so they can have the rest of the day to themselves. Others may want to have a snack or some time to relax before starting. It all depends on what works best for you, so pick the study time you’re happy with. 

Tip #9: Don’t be afraid to ask for help

Homework is here to stay, and at some point every kid is going to need a little help. That’s where we come in! GoStudent tutors are equipped to help with all subjects and all learning styles. Get in touch today to book your free trial session and try it for yourself! 🚀

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How to Find Motivation to Do Homework

Last Updated: January 31, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Jake Adams and by wikiHow staff writer, Megaera Lorenz, PhD . Jake Adams is an academic tutor and the owner of Simplifi EDU, a Santa Monica, California based online tutoring business offering learning resources and online tutors for academic subjects K-College, SAT & ACT prep, and college admissions applications. With over 14 years of professional tutoring experience, Jake is dedicated to providing his clients the very best online tutoring experience and access to a network of excellent undergraduate and graduate-level tutors from top colleges all over the nation. Jake holds a BS in International Business and Marketing from Pepperdine University. There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,704,588 times.

Even if you love school, it can be hard to stay excited about doing homework. Just like with any other kind of work, it’s important to set personal goals and find your own inspiration to keep going. You can also help yourself focus by minimizing distractions and caring for yourself while you work. Finally, organize your time wisely and break your homework up into manageable pieces so it doesn’t feel too overwhelming.

Finding Your Drive and Inspiration

Step 1 Reward yourself when you meet a homework goal.

  • Give yourself bigger rewards for bigger accomplishments. For example, you might go out for pizza with a friend after handing in an important paper.

Step 2 Treat yourself before you start working, too.

  • Just make sure you limit yourself to a specific amount of time (like 10 minutes, for example) so that you don’t end up getting totally distracted and wasting a few hours.

Did you know? Researchers in Japan recently discovered that looking at pictures or videos of baby animals before you start working can make you much more productive. [3] X Trustworthy Source PLOS ONE Online peer-reviewed, open access scientific research journal Go to source So, go ahead and watch a couple of cute kitten videos on YouTube the next time you need to work on a boring assignment. It might help!

Step 3 Work with a motivated study buddy.

  • Doing homework with a friend doesn’t necessarily mean collaborating on the same assignments. You can just spend time together while you each do your own work. Only get your parent to help you if you need help.
  • Check with your teacher first before working together with a friend on an assignment. They may want you to do the work by yourself.

Step 4 Determine when and where you work best.

  • For example, if you’re a morning person, try doing your homework right after you eat breakfast.
  • If you tend to get distracted while working at your desk at home, experiment with doing your homework in the library or a coffee shop instead.
  • Some people also find it helpful to change their routine from time to time. If you find yourself getting bored, try working at a different time from usual or finding a new study space.

Step 5 Set some SMART...

  • Setting vague goals can lead to frustration. Instead of saying, “I’m going to get all my homework done this week,” try something more specific—e.g., “I’m going to work on my English essay for 1 hour every day this week.”

Step 6 Remind yourself of why you’re in school in the first place.

  • For example, maybe you want to get good grades so you can get into your dream college, or possibly you’re working towards an exciting career.
  • Doing a good job in your classes can also be its own reward—knowing that you worked hard and did your best is a great self-esteem booster!

Keeping Yourself Focused and Alert

Step 1 Take care of your physical needs before working.

  • If you feel physically tense, do some yoga or light stretches before you begin to work.
  • Doing breathing exercises can also help you feel more comfortable and alert.
  • If you’re not already in comfy clothes, get changed before you start working. This may mean joggers, sweatpants, pjs, shorts, underwear, or even being completely naked. It's your choice.

Step 2 Find a quiet and comfortable work space.

  • You’ll want a place where you can sit comfortably, but don’t get too comfortable. If you do homework in bed or on a cozy couch, you may be tempted to fall asleep!
  • If you have to work at home, ask anyone who lives with you to give you a little quiet time while you do your homework.

Step 3 Put away your phone and other distractions.

  • If you can’t resist messing around on your phone or visiting time-wasting websites on your computer, consider installing an app or a browser extension that blocks tempting apps and sites.
  • Don’t try to work with a TV or radio on. If you listen to music while you do your homework, choose something that’s quiet and not too exciting, like some gentle classical music.

Step 4 Energize yourself with water and healthy snacks.

  • Whole grains
  • Healthy proteins, like fish, beans, or nuts
  • Blueberries
  • Leafy greens

Step 5 Take frequent breaks while you work.

  • During your breaks, you can go for a walk, have a snack, do a little meditation , or even put your head down for a quick power nap .
  • You can also use your breaks to reward yourself with a fun video or a quick game on your phone.

Did you know? Walking can improve your thinking skills. If you’re feeling stuck on a problem, going for a quick walk or even hopping on a treadmill can help! [13] X Research source

Step 6 Switch between different tasks to help you stay sharp.

  • For example, if you’ve been working on an essay for an hour or two, take a break and then switch to doing some math problems.
  • Don’t try to do more than one task at once, though. Trying to multitask will disrupt your focus and cause you to make more mistakes.

Organizing Your Time Effectively

Step 1 Create a daily work and study schedule.

  • Setting a schedule also makes it easier to avoid procrastinating .
  • Make sure to schedule in time for breaks and relaxation, too!

Tip: You can avoid unpleasant surprises by writing important dates and deadlines into your schedule. For example, make note of when you have tests or quizzes coming up or when different assignments are due.

Step 2 Prioritize your assignments and do the most urgent or difficult ones first.

  • Make an ordered list of all your tasks. Try to prioritize ones that are due soon, count towards a major part of your grade, or seem like they will be the most complicated to complete.
  • Put assignments that aren’t due for a while or that you know you can finish quickly and easily at the bottom.

Step 3 Break your assignments down into manageable pieces.

  • For example, if you’re writing a big paper, you might break it up into pieces like doing the research, composing a bibliography, writing an outline, drafting the introduction, and so on.

Step 4 Try a productivity app to help you stay organized.

  • Productivity apps are helpful for some people, but they’re not for everyone. Make sure you don’t spend so much time worrying about the app that it starts to cut into your homework time! [19] X Research source

Supercharge Your Studying with this Expert Series

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Community Q&A

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Tips from our Readers

  • Start your homework as soon as you get home from school (you may need a small snack first) instead of watching tv or using the computer. If you start another activity, it will be harder to stop it to switch to homework. Go straight to homework and think of TV and the computer as your reward for finishing.
  • Sometimes I have a lot of work to do and it seems overwhelming, even if the work isn't hard. If I close my eyes and imagine myself doing my homework, it doesn't feel as intimidating and gives me the feeling that I can do it.
  • Make a homework playlist in your music app and play every time you sit down to study. If music with lyrics distracts you, try looking up "study playlists" and "homework playlists," as they're usually just instrumentals.
  • If you can, have your parents drop you off at the library after school for an hour (or however long your homework would take) so you can stay focused. There isn't much to do at the library and it's quiet.
  • Take short breaks to rest your mind for a little while so that it is ready to get back to work. This works for a lot of people who just need to decompress after a long period of working and hard thinking!
  • Think about having free time after the homework to do what you want. Also, think about having the homework done, being stress-free, and not getting in trouble because you didn't do your homework.
  • Dedicate a space in your house to homework and decorate it. Make your homework space a place you like to be.
  • Work with a buddy who doesn't get as distracted as you. This way, your buddy can help you stay focused.
  • Chewing on gum can help you stay alert and focused if you're feeling tired or distracted.

You Might Also Like

Do Your Homework on Time if You're a Procrastinator

  • ↑ Jake Adams. Academic Tutor & Test Prep Specialist. Expert Interview. 20 May 2020.
  • ↑ https://www.oxford-royale.co.uk/articles/tips-studying-motivation.html
  • ↑ https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0046362
  • ↑ https://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/how-should-students-study-tips-advice-and-pitfalls
  • ↑ https://www.umassd.edu/fycm/goal-setting/resources/smartgoals/
  • ↑ https://allianzassistancehealth.com.au/en/living-in-australia/studying-motivation-tips-university/
  • ↑ https://www.wgu.edu/blog/improve-online-study-environment1712.html
  • ↑ https://share.upmc.com/2019/08/healthy-snacks-to-power-studying/
  • ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/homework.html
  • ↑ https://news.stanford.edu/2014/04/24/walking-vs-sitting-042414/
  • ↑ https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/studying-101-study-smarter-not-harder/
  • ↑ https://www.aiuniv.edu/blog/2016/april/4-steps-to-prioritize-tasks
  • ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/aug/18/time-management-apps-work-life-balance-productivity

About This Article

Jake Adams

To find the motivation to do your homework, give yourself small rewards after you accomplish a goal, like a 5 minute video after finishing a reading assignment. For larger accomplishments, like completing an important paper, give yourself a bigger reward, like going out for pizza with friends. You can also try giving yourself a treat, like a scoop of ice cream or 10 minutes to text your best friend, before you begin working to lift your mood and make you more productive. If you have a friend who won’t distract you, see if they want to do homework together so you can keep each other on track. To learn how to pick the best time and place to do your homework, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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globeteacher.com

homework motivation hacks

People And Things That Can Help You With Homework Motivation

Once in college, the academic structure undergoes a complete change as does the work and study pressure. This major change can be, especially, daunting for freshmen, just out of school, who are not yet familiar with the academic hustle and bustle that is college.

In these situations, coursework help is largely required. Even later in your academic life, when the pressure seems to be exponentially rising and there is no longer any room for you to go full throttle with your time and energy, good help becomes a dire necessity. You can check sites like globeteacher.com for extra info.

Reasons why homework motivation is needed

No matter how well you chalk out your schedule and study plans, college life will never allow you to stick with them. Professional help is, thus, required for that slight homework motivation that you need:

  • Personal emergencies: Leaving aside academics for a moment, emergencies might also crop up in your personal life that will require your undivided attention.
  • Academic emergencies: This includes preponed submission deadlines, unforeseen academic emergencies as well as urgent conferences that call for compulsory attendance.
  • Topic unknown to you: There might be an area of study in which you are unskilled. You will be requiring a homework tutor for this subject.

Professional help

If you think that you will be requiring some extra help, you can either look for private tutors or professional and reliable writers from sources like globeteacher.com. You need to find highly-skilled professionals, with plenty of experience in the content writing business. This is why we recommend going through helpful and reputed homework help websites.

Thing about online content writers is that they are generally quite cheaper than the former alternative. Plus, if you are able to find an actually good professional with sufficient expertise in academic writing, you will not have to worry about your grades any longer.

A few tips from the professionals

In search of effective homework hacks? While there are plenty on the Internet, there are very few tips out there that are actually effective enough to motivate you to do your homework. Here are a few that work; don’t take it from us, hear it from the experts.

Plenty of esteemed universities have concluded from lengthy researches that it is actually better to study for short spans of time instead of at a stretch. How to break up these intervals? Watch some TV, an episode of a show not a movie. Read something, a short story not a novel. Little spurts of entertainment can help you sustain your memory for long.

How to prevent burnout

Burnout syndrome means the exhaustion that overcomes you when you have been stressing your brain for extended periods. Breaks are necessary, even though the never-ending torrent of homework benefits are rammed down your throat by teachers and their assignments. This is why you should avail the services of professional writers from time to time.

The first and foremost rule of motivating yourself to get on with your studies without procrastinating is to have a routine cycle. Good sleep, a well-organized plan and regular studies instead of last-minute memorization are much more effective than flasks of coffee and rote learning methods.

Daniel Wong

8 Proven Hacks to Get Your Homework Done Fast

Updated on March 19, 2024 By Daniel Wong Leave a Comment

how to do homework fast

It reinforces your learning at school and enhances your knowledge. There’s no better way to master a concept than to practice solving problems related to it.

But as a student, there’s more to life than homework.

Figuring out how to balance school and work , leisure, social activities, volunteering, etc. is vital.

The good thing is that there are proven ways to be more efficient and finish your homework fast – without compromising on the quality of your work.

In this article, we’ll talk about 8 strategies you can use to maximize your efforts and get everything done in less time!

(Make sure to download your free quick action guide below.)

FREE  QUICK ACTION GUIDE:  

12 Guaranteed Ways for Students to Improve Focus and Reduce Procrastination (Cover)

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When is the best time to do your homework?

Getting your homework done as soon as you can is always a good idea.

After your classes, the information you’ve learned is still fresh in your memory. So applying these concepts in your assignments will be easier.

It also helps to have a routine – for instance, getting started on your homework one hour before dinner every weekday.

Find out when the best time to study is for you and build your schedule around it.

Let’s say that you always feel motivated to complete your schoolwork as soon as possible. If so, you can leverage this motivation by diving into your assignments right when you get home.

But if you need a short break, you can set a timer for 30 minutes to an hour once you get home to remind you to get started after you’ve had some rest.

What to do when you have a lot of homework

student buried in homework

When this happens, you might feel stressed or overwhelmed.

When your to-do list gets longer and longer, the best thing you can do is to stay calm and focused.

Set yourself up to enter a flow state where you focus solely on the task at hand.

Write down all your pending assignments, and take on just one task at a time. Set a goal and timeframe for each task, and minimize distractions in your study environment.

If the assignment is complex, break it down into smaller and less intimidating steps. Checking these smaller goals off your list as you go can keep you motivated and focused.

How to finish homework fast

It’s important to work hard, but it’s also important to work smart .

Here are some of the best time-saving productivity hacks for students to make it easier and faster to complete their homework.

1. Consistently keep track of your homework

One of the biggest mistakes I see students make is thinking they’ll remember all of their assigned tasks.

I don’t doubt that you have a good memory. But keeping track of your homework by writing things down is much more efficient.

Keep a physical or digital list of all your pending assignments and their deadlines. You can consistently track your tasks using this list. A notebook or note-taking app would work well.

When it’s time to work on your assignments, pull out this list and start with the most urgent task that has the closest deadline. Continue working your way through the list based on how urgent each task is.

The list clarifies which assignments require immediate attention and which can be done another day.

This allows you to dive right into doing your homework and saves precious time.

Making lists can lighten your brain’s workload . It also helps to reduce anxiety and boost productivity.

2. Spruce things up with a study buddy

students writing homework together

One of the best ways to boost motivation and get the ball rolling is by doing homework with a study buddy.

Having someone with you can help you to stay engaged and on task.

You’ll keep each other accountable and ensure that all assignments are completed on time.

During these study sessions, you can work together to solve challenging questions and understand difficult concepts.

3. Remove distractions (especially electronic ones)

Procrastination and distractions can kill your productivity.

Here are some study strategies to help you combat procrastination and make the most of your time:

  • Find an ideal study environment at your school or at the library, or create an optimal work environment at home.
  • Use earplugs or noise-canceling earphones to reduce external distractions.
  • Keep only the materials and stationery you need at your desk. You can also have a water bottle and a few snacks prepared, so you won’t have to get up midway through your study session.
  • Turn off your phone. In fact, it’s best to keep all your devices in a different room or at least out of arm’s reach.
  • If a thought or idea pops into your head, instead of acting on it, write it down. Maybe it’s an errand you need to run or a friend you promised to call. Acknowledge these thoughts by writing them down, then take care of them after you’ve completed your homework.

4. Create a reward system

A reward system nurtures motivation – at least in the short term – by giving you something to look forward to.

It trains your brain to understand that hard work results in an enjoyable outcome. Plus, it builds a positive association with homework.

So identify some reasonable rewards that you’d enjoy. List out items or activities you value that are consistent with your goals.

What works best is building multiple practical rewards into your homework routine.

For example, you could reward yourself by listening to your favorite music after every 45-minute work session. Or you could have a quick, healthy snack after completing each set of practice questions.

Of course, you can occasionally use big rewards too. After finishing a complex assignment or a long practice exam, treat yourself to something special, like watching a show with your friends.

5. Gamify your study session

student writing a project about the moon

Why are video games so much fun?

Games are designed to keep you hooked on leveling up your character, exploring new worlds, and unlocking rewards.

But what if I told you that you could apply specific video game principles to your homework sessions to keep you motivated?

Research suggests that gamification could address motivational problems related to work and learning. So applying this concept will make homework and studying more fun !

One of the simplest ways to do this is by downloading gamification apps.

Some examples include Forest , Do It Now , and Habitica . These apps have features that allow you to unlock new game elements, rank up, or collect points.

This enables you to track your progress and stay on task.

6. Create a dedicated workspace

Having a suitable place at home to study will help you complete your homework faster.

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, so it’s important to personalize your workspace based on what enables you to focus best.

For example, one person might enjoy having a bunch of stationery, Post-it notes, and colorful highlighters on his or her desk. But these might only serve as distractions for others.

Some people might work best with white noise or a little background chatter. On the other hand, some people might only be able to concentrate in a quiet environment.

So feel free to experiment to find what works best for you. Here are some general tips to get you started:

  • Ensure that there’s adequate lighting and keep your space at a comfortable temperature.
  • Reduce stress with the right scents, e.g. use a pleasant-smelling room fragrance or diffuse an essential oil.
  • Personalize your work desk with items like a memo board, calendar, clock, or artwork.
  • Keep your desk well-organized and clean.
  • Invest in a good office chair.

7. Make a study plan

student making a list

It also takes the guesswork out of the equation when allocating time.

Here’s how you can create an effective study plan:

  • Cater to your specific learning preferences. Are you more productive in the morning or evening? How long can you focus without a break? Whenever possible, plan your schedule based on the times of the day that suit you best.
  • Create deadlines that fall a few days before the actual ones. This gives you a cushion in case your assignments or projects take longer than expected.
  • Space out your homework into blocks with rest intervals. For example, you could divide your work into 40-minute work blocks with 10-minute breaks in between.
  • Limit social media usage during breaks. Scrolling through social media can take a toll on your mental capacity and eat up more time than you intended. Instead, engage in less mentally-taxing activities, like taking a stroll, performing simple stretches, or having a light snack.

8. Break up your homework into manageable chunks

It’s natural to sometimes feel overwhelmed by your assignments – especially the long, complicated, and tedious ones.

Getting started on a large or complex task might seem like you’re biting off more than you can chew. In turn, this can lead to procrastination.

One tried-and-tested study tip for handling challenging tasks is to break them down into smaller chunks.

List out each smaller task and work through the project bit by bit. You can even use programs and apps like Trello, Asana, or Notion to create daily to-do lists and keep tabs on your progress.

When you do this, the tasks become much more doable, so you’ll be able to submit your assignments on time.

How to finish homework at the last minute

student doing homework at home

But if you find yourself in this situation, the most important thing to do is to prioritize well.

Which assignments are due the soonest? And which tasks account for what percentage of your overall grade?

Write down all your pending tasks. Then, prioritize those with the closest deadlines.

You should give your best effort for every assignment, project, quiz, etc. But if you’re running out of time, it may not be possible to give your 100% effort. So do just what’s required and move on.

But make a firm commitment that you won’t do your homework at the last minute again in the future!

While homework is part and parcel of student life (and an important one at that), it shouldn’t have to be something you dread.

Try these 8 proven strategies to help you do your homework faster while making it more enjoyable!

(And if you haven’t already done so, make sure to download your free quick action guide below.)

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FITON

12 Genius Motivation Hacks You Haven’t Tried Yet

Reignite that motivation and get after your goals!

By: Emma Lunsford

When you’re first getting started with a new goal, you’re excited, inspired, and eager to crush your goals. But before you know it, the excuses pile up – which is totally normal when you’re busy, tired, and stressed – and motivation is nowhere to be found. So, while getting started with motivation can feel easy, the hardest part is staying motivated. But, we’re only human. Even the most motivated and successful people feel uninspired from time to time. Rather than judge yourself, make a game plan! Enter: motivation hacks — the secret to your success.

Ahead, we’re helping you spark some fresh inspiration and crush your goals with these genius motivation hacks. Keep these in your pocket on those days where you’re feeling less than inspired – don’t give up! You’ve got this, and we’ve got you!

These Motivation Hacks Could Be Exactly What You Need Right Now

#1 determine your why.

homework motivation hacks

The number one motivation hack is knowing your why. If you want to muster up that motivation, give your goals meaning and purpose. Why are you getting started in the first place? What are your goals, and why did you set them? Get really clear here, and come back to this whenever you feel uninspired. Reminding yourself why you’re working toward a goal (no matter how big or small) can help foster that original inspiration and keep you on track.

#2 Harness Your Inner Child 

homework motivation hacks

Remember, as a kid how much you looked forward to things? A quick ice cream stop or a trip to Disney, that one event was all you could think about until it happened. It gave you so much energy and excitement! 

Why not tap into that inner child now? If you want to stay motivated, keep it fun, fresh, and exciting. Schedule in something to look forward to on your calendar once a week or month. Something as simple as your favorite yoga class or a fun road trip can do the trick. 

Research shows it can reduce stress and boost your mood! And by increasing those happy feelings, we’re increasing the likelihood of more positive decision-making. Yes, it’s that simple. We thrive when we’re happy!

#3 Practice Daily Affirmations

homework motivation hacks

Affirmations work to create new neural pathways in the brain that enforce a particular belief. Plus, research shows positive daily affirmations can decrease stress , reduce negative thoughts , and increase our resilience when unexpected bumps in the road arise. For instance, if you want to build more confidence, you would say affirmations that build your self-esteem.

In this case, you can use affirmations that keep you motivated, like these:

  • I am unstoppable
  • I am successful
  • Today will be a productive day
  • I am filled with focus

Say or write them every day for the best effect!

#4 Find a Cool Community

homework motivation hacks

Community is a great way to relieve stress. We’re social creatures, after all! But along with needing people to connect with, we can use our communities to motivate us into action. 

Old news, right? Not really!

You can find unique ways of motivating yourself with virtual group workouts, like joining a FitOn Challenge or getting started with our new FitOn courses! 

Or, head to the FitOn App and invite your friends to join in on the fun! Work out with your friends from all over the world who can give you tough love.

#5 Focus on What you GET to Do

homework motivation hacks

The best motivation hacks focus on positivity. It’s so easy to get caught up in the negatives, like “I can’t eat that,” or “I’m not strong enough yet.” This isn’t very uplifting, and it can leave us feeling like there’s no point in even trying. However, let’s flip the switch.

Focus on what you HAVE done and what you GET to do. “I get to eat these nourishing foods. I can do this workout. Any progress is still progress!” According to research , simply having a positive attitude and better body image can lead to healthier dietary choices and lifestyle factors that are attainable and sustainable.

Suddenly, you’re rearing and roaring to prove to yourself how much more you can accomplish. Ahhh, the power of positivity.

#6 Connect Your Habits

homework motivation hacks

Creating a new habit can feel like the most annoying fight of your life. So, set yourself for success.

You can do this by connecting new habits to already existing ones. For example, if you want to start meditating each morning, do it around the time you brush your teeth. Place a meditation reminder sticky note on the mirror. Then, every time you brush your teeth (or look in the mirror for that matter), you remember to meditate, too.

#7 Make a Motivation Hacks Folder

homework motivation hacks

We all have those “meh” days, where our heads feel covered in lazy fog. Sometimes, that means to rest. Other times, it means picking yourself up and doing something energizing, like a workout. 

The problem? Peeling yourself away from that Netflix-potato chip session.

Again, you can set yourself up for success by planning for these moments. Create a computer folder, email inbox folder, or actual paper folder of everything that motivates you: favorite songs, vision boards, motivational videos, family pictures, etc. 

Whenever you’re struggling to get down with the get-down, filter through your motivation hacks folder and let the inspiration flow.

#8 #8 Visualize Your Reality

homework motivation hacks

Just like professional athletes envision a winning game, you can envision what your own win looks like. You know that goal you just can’t seem to muster? Whether it’s losing 10 lbs, practicing self-care, or cleaning up your diet, take a second to imagine what it will be like when you achieve it. 

Soak up the sights, smells, sounds, feelings, and thoughts you’ll have when you “win.” Come back to that vision whenever the slug bug comes to town. According to literature , the brain stimulates the same neural pathways regardless of whether you visualize yourself performing a task or physically carry it out – pretty incredible, right?!

#9 Let Go of Motivation (Just a Little)

homework motivation hacks

We’ve all been there. We procrastinate doing a workout for so long that suddenly we’re trudging up Mt. Motivation with nothing to show for it. When this happens, we start to overthink everything, from how it won’t matter anyway to there’s not enough time. 

Instead, let go of trying so hard to motivate yourself. Get out of your head and into action. Focus on one thing at a time. And remember — even the smallest steps lead to big leaps.

#10 Commit to 10-Minutes

homework motivation hacks

Speaking of small steps, give the ten-minute rule a try. When you’re feeling uninspired, commit to just ten minutes before you write off your goal or task. Even on the busiest of days, we all have 10 minutes! Whatever your goal is — whether it’s going for a walk, cleaning your pantry, or getting started with a meditation practice — tell yourself you’ll perform it for just ten minutes. After that, you can reevaluate and decide if you want to continue or not. Once you get started, motivation usually kicks in and takes care of the rest! But even if you’re just not feeling it, you can feel good knowing you just put a solid 10 minutes toward your goal.

#11 Applaud Your Efforts & Successes

homework motivation hacks

Be your own biggest cheerleader. Give yourself recognition for all the hard work you’re putting in. All those little things add up — rather than undermining them, applaud your efforts! The fact that you’re even here reading this is a success worth recognizing. Celebrating our achievements not only boosts our confidence, but it also boosts our motivation, too. 

#12 Anticipate The Ups and Downs 

homework motivation hacks

Even if you use every motivation hack in the book, some days will be harder than others. Try to remember that the ups and downs are all part of the journey! If you skip a workout, splurge on an unhealthy meal, or break your month-long meditation streak, don’t throw in the towel. Yes, you can still do this, and no, you did not “fail”. So, get those thoughts out of your head and cut yourself some slack. Plus, taking a break can be healthy for both your mind and your body. This is tough work, so be kind to yourself! 

Motivate Your Mind, Your Body Will Follow

The beauty of motivation? Once your mind catches on, the body naturally follows. All it takes is a little bit of mindset work. 

Feeling ready to get down to goal business? Gabrielle Union shared her top three tips for motivation with us. These motivation tips may be exactly what you need to bring out that inner motivation even more.

“Only compare yourself to the person you were yesterday.”

“Visualize what you want.”

“Write your own affirmation.”

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homework motivation hacks

27 Productivity-Increasing Mind Hacks to Get Work Done at Home

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homework motivation hacks

Need to tame your brain for home-based productivity? A lot of us are shifting to a remote work setup these coming months. And in a way, that’s a blessing, right? Because many people don’t have the option to bring income in right now at all…

homework motivation hacks

But staying focused and productive while at home in your pajamas brings its own unique challenges. We’ve worked with many thousands of remote workers, digital entrepreneurs, and students – the pattern is very clear:

People expect a home working environment to liberate them. Instead, a lack of oversight and team cohesion – not to mention a world of digital distraction at their fingertips – leads to well-intentioned work sessions slipping like through their fingers like sand.

Just like that, weeks, months, even years can disappear.

Download this article as a PDF

The key to cracking the whip on your mind for better home-based results.

Getting productive is about setting up mental frameworks that make productivity easy. And that condition your mind to thrive in any environment. Essentially, you have to “outsmart” your subconscious mind if you want it to behave.

Here are 27 proven mind hacks for doing just that.

Mind Hack #1:

Create an “unschedule”.

It’s common for procrastinators to move the fun things in life to “later” because they always have work to catch up on…

Then they don’t do the work anyways. And so they put off the fun again too. 

This creates a demoralizing situation where they ’r e constantly in work mode but never actually get anything done. And since they never catch up to leisure, life becomes one long tedious chore of non-accomplishment…

The Unschedule is a concept popularized by the book, “The Now Habit.” The core premise is to fill your planner with recreation FIRST. Wall off your weekend. Plan time off and activities for rest and recreation throughout the week (and the day).

Remember Parkinson’s Law. Work tends to swell or shrink to the time you give it. So staking off free time first forces you to get work done in tighter windows…you know, so you actually have to do it. 

And it gives the brain rewards to look forward to while providing the downtime it needs to be most productive. 

Mind Hack #2:

But don’t identify with procrastination.

It’s difficult to write an article about productivity without talking about “procrastinators”… 

But we have to be cautious about the mental labels we give ourselves.

When you accept an identity, you subconsciously tell yourself that’s just the way things are. Labeling yourself creates an easy excuse for not changing. Worse yet, it can make you feel like changing is impossible. 

Don’t breathe more life into this challenge than it deserves.

Everyone procrastinates. And there are proven ways to get better at managing your time, focus, and energy. 

You are NOT a procrastinator.  

You are someone who procrastinates sometimes. And getting more focused is a skillset that CAN be learned.

That starts with…

Mind Hack #3:

Create accountability.

Often, the true source of procrastination is perfectionism. 

In our heart of hearts, we often don’t begin something because we’re afraid of not getting it right or looking stupid, or even being seen as an “imposter.”

The best pressure release valve? 

Give yourself the permission to be flawed.

Before beginning work, remind yourself that getting it wrong (or at least wrong on the first go) is okay. You are imperfect. And mistakes are lessons you can redeem with trying again. 

Open your computer, close your eyes for a moment, and create a silent intention to begin the work session with “beginner’s mind.”

You’re there to learn and grow through your work. 

Liberate yourself (and your results) through this mindset shift and you might tap into your best source of creativity yet.

Mind Hack #4:

Embracing beginner’s mind.

One of the simplest accountability hacks is putting a whiteboard on the wall and standing up to mark a tally for each hour completed. You could also just use a notepad beside your computer.

Of course, this only makes you accountable to yourself, but those tallies function as a “proof of progress” that is very powerful for your brain – and a hit of accomplishment with every hour that you log. 

You could even create a system of rewards and punishments for yourself based on your tally accumulation in a certain time frame.

Of course, making yourself accountable to friends can make this more powerful – partner up with someone and jump on a call every morning or evening to discuss goals, challenges, and progress. Share your daily tally if you like. 

There are even websites where you can obligate yourself to donate cash to a cause you hate if you don’t follow through. 

Even just filling your spouse in on what you intend to do, and then having them check in at a certain time to make sure you’re doing it, can help keep you on track.

Mind Hack #5:

The power of the “next task”.

27 Productivity-Increasing Mind Hacks to Get Work Done While Stuck at Home

A helpful metaphor for work and life is to imagine yourself on a dark flight of stairs. You don’t know where it’s going, but you can see just that first step in front of you. 

And once you step onto it, the next step reveals itself.

Keep doing that and step after step reveals itself in turn…eventually you arrive at your destination.

Work (and life itself) is like that. We often don’t know where a project will take us, but it seems we always know the first small step to go there. So focusing just on just the first thing you need to do creates momentum and widens your perspective as you go.

Even if you don’t know how you’re going to do something, or don’t have a bigger picture of the project, don’t let it intimidate you. Choose the first small task you do know and start. 

The rest will unfold in time.

And by doing this you create an invaluable habit of always starting.

Mind Hack #6:

Designate a dedicated office area .

Sleep doctors often say you should only use your bed for sleeping or getting intimate – never laying around watching TV. Why?

Well, the brain likes to compartmentalize things. Once it categorizes the bed as the sleeping place, you lay down in it and your mental and biological systems immediately start to relax and drift off.

If possible, set aside an entire room for your office, commit to using that room for work and study only, and honor that commitment. Same thing happens. You step in the room and your brain slips into work mode.

Some people’s dream is to have a beautiful view from the home office, but don’t let that hold you back. You may actually find it to be a distraction – for me, putting my desk in front of a blank wall forces me to either work or, well, stare at the wall.

It’s also a lot easier to shut other people out when you have a designated work room.

Which brings up another important point…

Mind Hack #7:

Train your brain to train people not to bother you.

People who haven’t worked remotely won’t understand how important it is to preserve your mental focus. And may not realize how demanding knowledge work can be. After all, what could possibly be so challenging about looking up from the computer to answer a quick question, right? 

A lot, actually. 

All it takes a microsecond of getting pulled out of the zone and you may have to spend 10, 20, 30 minutes, an hour working on getting back in that mental sweet spot again. If you can get back there at all. 

And a well-meaning family member can easily interrupt you several times an hour with a “harmless” question. There goes the day.

But here’s the real danger. If you fall into the habit of indulging these small interruptions to be polite, you train YOUR OWN brain to accept them (instead of staking off work off as the sacred mental construct it must become).

Warning: you WILL get pushback when you start setting your foot down. 

But it’s imperative you get the point across; you are NOT to be bothered while working. Make it a rule, and protect that rule (or no one else will). 

Again, work time is sacred.

Turn off phones and other notifications. Lock the door to your home and put in your headphones. Lock the door to your office if you live with others, and put up a custom-made sign letting people know interruption is only allowed in an emergency.

One idea is to leave the door open when doing less demanding stuff but close it during deep work sessions.

This creates an expectation pattern for yourself and others – the door open means come on in, and door closed means enter at your own risk.

Mind Hack #8:

Move around the house too (sometimes).

A designated office is crucial, but at times you do need to move around to avoid mental stagnation.

For example, in more normal times I often hit a coffee shop or restaurant for changes of scenery if I’m in a slump. It’s often the only creative injection I need to get running again.

If you’re stuck at home right now, you don’t have that option. Try moving around your house instead. 

Do less demanding work, like fielding emails with clients or making social media posts, at the kitchen table. Or bring the computer out to the balcony or back yard and do some work there if you have the luxury.

Of course, it’s trickier to keep people from bothering you when playing musical rooms, but it can be worth it to keep the mind fresh.

Just choose your battles wisely. 

Mind Hack #9:

Hold yourself to a rigid work schedule.

Just because you “can” make your own hours doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have set hours to work by.  Keeping a strict schedule leaves you with a lot less choices to contend with and potentially pull you off track. 

It also conditions your routine-loving brain to gear up for work at the same time every day.

“Clock in” every morning at a specific hour, put in your time, and then “clock out.” 

You don’t necessarily have to work in 8-hour blocks, though. Once you get productive at home, you may find a lack of office distraction means doing more with less time.

You could also break your day in two. 

For example, get up in the morning and put in your five good hours between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Take some hours off to enjoy the day. And then finish your remaining hours in the afternoon or early evening.

Figure out the best schedule for you, but then stick with it most days.

Mind Hack #10:

Get dressed for work.

homework motivation hacks

Getting dressed for success has a similar effect.

Sure, you can lounge around in your pajamas all day if you want…

But there’s no pride in that. Act like a slob and you will feel, and work, like one.

Try getting up to take a shower, make yourself look put-together, and put on at least casual business clothes. It just gives your morning routine a serious air and leaves you feeling like a professional. 

Rituals like this have a profound effect on how you take on the day…

And the results you get over time.

Mind Hack #11:

Put yourself in the right headspace on command.

Speaking of rituals…

A technique for getting yourself primed for work fast is to use the same exact set up of steps, or ritual, every time you sit down in front of your computer. 

Here’s an example. 

  • Set out your coffee or tea, so you don’t have to get up again.
  • Lock doors, or set out a “hard at work” sign if needed. 
  • Place a notepad beside your computer (see Hack #16).
  • Write down 5 things you intend to accomplish when you open your computer. So there’s no question what you’ll be focused on.
  • Open your computer.
  • Log in to any programs you’ll be using. Open any docs.
  • Put in your headphones and start your “work music” – for me it’s usually binaural beats, meditation music, or smooth jazz. It probably doesn’t matter as long as it’s consistent.
  • Mark down your starting time or start your timer.
  • Start working.

Again, it’s all about training your brain. You want your subconscious mind to recognize this as a primer to switching on the right gear.

Follow the same steps every time, like a pilot enacting a launch sequence.

Eventually that mode switch comes faster and faster.

Mind Hack #12:

Track your time.

Track your time or work to a timer to train your brain for focused sprints with no getting off task. 

You can keep your work blocks short at first and make them longer as the habit normalizes.

Tracking what you’re actually doing with your time, or where you might be wasting time, also creates opportunities to improve your metrics. You can’t know what you’re doing wrong if you don’t record what you’re actually doing.

You can use a simple spreadsheet for work tracking. Or a notepad. 

Record date, time started, time finished, and what tasks you worked on.

If you want to create accountability here, pair up with a friend to share work tracking in the same spreadsheet on Google Drive.

Or track actual computer use, work-related or not, with  FocusMe ’s handy tracking tool, which presents a colored graph of where your online time goes. 

Great trick for spotting problem areas with very little effort.

Mind Hack #13:

Batch multitasking.

In general, multitasking is a bad idea. 

It really bogs down your brain and makes you far less effective.

However, reality often doesn’t give a choice, and we’ve all got a handful of bite-sized tasks that we need to address eventually. 

Give your brain a break on this one – but don’t let them creep into work blocks!

The best way is to reserve multi-tasking time specifically for these tasks. Keep a list of small things you need to do, hit a timer, and just start knocking them off. 

Do it once a day or a few times a week.

Valuable deep work time should always be protected just for deep work.

Mind Hack #14:

Schedule (and limit) your email.

Don’t ever let email checking become a reactive activity!

If you do, the part of your brain that craves being told what to do will have you checking into email a few times per hour to see if anything important comes in. This leaves you chasing unimportant but urgent tasks and allows way too many potential digital distractions in.

Email is a simple one to solve, thankfully.

Just give yourself 30 minutes, twice a day – less times or more, depending on your industry needs, but it SHOULD be set in stone.

No emails outside that time. Period.

Face it: for most of us, the world will NOT stop if an email sits half a day waiting for an answer.

You can also use web blocking software to set email limits using technology that will lock you out if you keep getting carried away. Our productivity software comes with a  Launch Limit feature perfect for focus-friendly email management .

Mind Hack #15:

Put a dial on your social media time too.

If email is a dangerous foe, social media is the “boss battle” for freelancers and online workers everywhere. 

And make no mistake, social media has a massive impact on your brain and the way you think. 

Studies show that too much social media time actually trains your brain for obsessive, info-snacking behavior that has radical implications for your focus time even when you’re logged out. 

Fortunately, there’s a simple way to stop letting social media take over without opting out completely. 

How much social media do you actually need? Probably not that much. 

Just designate a social media hour at night to touch bases, make a couple posts, and check your messages. Include One QUICK check in the morning if you really feel it’s crucial.

But you DO need to set rules on this. 

You can even  use a web blocker to cut yourself off social media during the day  when you’re supposed to be working. 

Mind Hack #16:

Keep a “distraction release valve” beside your computer.

If you’ll be researching during online work time, you need a proven way to avoid following distraction rabbits down their bottomless holes. 

After all, who hasn’t innocently clicked a tempting link – just for a sec, mind you – only to end up spending the rest of the day reading up on some wild conspiracy theory or collecting silly cat photos?

Even if you aren’t surfing the web, those little to-dos that pop into your mind can really dilute your focus.

A great way to deal with these potential detours and mind burps is keep a small notepad beside your computer. I call this the distraction release valve.

Use it to jot down topics you want to research later, ideas you want to explore, or little quick to-dos. Anything that would otherwise drag you off track. 

Then you can come back later when you’re done working and take care of them.

You’ll often find that after a bit of time passes, they don’t seem all that pressing anymore. 

Let Future You be the judge of that, though.

Mind Hack #17:

Get real with people you talk to online.

I’m talking about real interaction – video and voice calls.

It might seem counterintuitive to get more productive by jumping on a call…But there are plenty of reasons it keeps your brain on a tightly focused track. 

For one, thing, email and chatting grinds up a lot of unnecessary time simply because we talk faster than we write – not to mention all the nuances that get missed in text-based communication and require clarification. 

Sometimes it’s easier to just pick up the phone for a quick 5-minute call to get the point across.

Also, voice and video communication just feel more “real.” So you feel less alone and keep your work at home grounded in the real world.

Overall great for your emotional health.

Mind Hack #18:

Stop work and get your blood flowing.

Want to keep the engines of your mind burning clean? 

Rev up the engines in your body. 

The human animal was born to move!

Do a set of pushups or jumping jacks if you find yourself getting bored, burnt out, or uncreative. Split your day in half with a workout or quick run. 

Even long slow walks (for those of us who can get out of the house that long) can be great for giving the mind a relief from the screen. Take in the scenery and give your subconscious a chance to chew on things. 

I can’t tell you how many times just setting down a difficult problem and going for a walk allowed my subconscious to hit me with the answer out of the blue. 

Some of history’s greatest creative minds swore by this trick. 

Mind Hack #19:

Don’t put in that over-time.

More hours do not always equal more results! 

Far from it, in fact, when you’re dealing with the brain. Because there’s definitely a point of diminishing returns with quality cerebral output. 

And don’t forget the lessons of the Unschedule from Mind Hack #1. 

Constantly moving forward to tackle all the things you meant to do earlier can create a demoralizing cycle that robs life from you with little reward.

So if it’s getting late and you still haven’t finished what you wanted, sign off for the day and try to do better next time. At some point just beating your head against the computer more will NOT make anything better come out of it…

Mind Hack #20:

Create artificial deadlines.

A deadline is a powerful way to get a lot more work done in a less time, and many remote workers find it’s the only way to keep moving. 

If you went to college, you probably remember how Parkinson’s law dictated your life. Professors would give you way too much time to finish things, thinking it was all you could take. But you’d wait all month and get it done in one or two nerve-wracked days.

They would have served you better by teaching you and your brain the focusing power of a tight deadline.

Don’t just have a project deadline either – break projects down into small, manageable chunks and set artificial deadlines throughout. Put them right on the edge of your comfort zone to find out what you can really do.

Some people just function at their best by forcing themselves to stop the brainstorming and jump into the doing. 

And finishing early leaves an emergency cushion in case you need to make big changes before the actual due date.

Mind Hack #21:

Perfect the art of always starting.

Struggling to find your motivation to start?

Constantly putting things off for later?

Often what causes this is your subconscious associates too much pain with what needs to be done or perceives the project as too big.

Trick your brain by setting a timer for “just 10 minutes.” 

Anyone can find the motivation for 10 short minutes. 

And the real power of this technique is that once you start you’ll often fall right into your flow and end up working for hours.

As you get used to this habit, longer periods of time, like “just 25 minutes,” will kickstart things just as easily. The more time you spend in the flow, the more your brain wants to be there and the easier it gets.

Mind Hack #22:

Allow yourself a little morning indulgence.

27 Productivity-Increasing Mind Hacks to Get Work Done While Stuck at Home

If it really just drives you crazy to wait all day before checking social media, playing a game, or reading emails…

Okay, go ahead – check it when you first get online. 

5-10 minutes max and then get back off.

This allows you to “get your fix” and catch any important messages – but get off fast so you don’t lose the whole day to it.  No nagging feeling in the back of your mind that you might have missed something. 

After a week of this your subconscious might accept that there’s rarely anything pressing and you won’t need to do this anymore.

Mind Hack #23:

Use pomodoro for regular work blocks and breaks.

A lot of people swear by the Pomodoro technique, a time management strategy that separates work into (usually) 25-minute blocks separated by 5-minute breaks. 

There are different ways to approach this, but a common method is:

  • 25-minute work block
  • 5-minute rest

After about 4 pomodoro intervals, you’re encouraged to take a 15-20-minute break.

FocusMe Productivity software has Pomodoro Features built right into the program , and it’s all automated based on your settings.

The power in Pomodoro is it keeps work blocks small and digestible while putting breaks on a time limit too, so you can’t wander off and get caught up in something else.

And the 30-minute intervals (25-minute work bloc + 5-minute break) fit nicely into an hourly workday.

Mind Hack #24:

How to always make time for the biggest rocks in your bucket.

Dr. Stephen Covey (author of “The 7 Habits of Highly-effective People”) advocated always putting “the big rocks first.”

Covey’s metaphor is filling a bucket with rocks, pebbles, and sand. What’s the best way to do it?

Well, if you filled the bucket with sand first, you’d leave no room for pebbles or rocks. 

But if you put the big rocks in first, the pebbles can fill in the spaces between the rocks, and the sand can fill the spaces in between.

The  “big rocks” are your most important goal-related projects. Pebbles are small, less important tasks. And sand is the “filler” tasks that often leave no time for the things that matter. 

It’s an apt metaphor for why you should always tackle high priority actions first.

You just have to ask yourself – does filling your time with tasks ever pay if it crowds out the space that would have accommodated your biggest rocks?

Probably not.

Mind Hack #25:

Give your mind the bait to keep moving forward.

Rewarding yourself for reaching small milestones and completing projects to dangle a carrot in front of yourself.

A simple way to do this? 

Write out a list of things you’ve been wanting to do or buy (even if you intend to do or buy them already). And then indulge your desires as you put in a certain number of hours or hit a particular milestone.

Your brain quickly learns that it gets rewards for working.

If you find this technique falling flat, though, because you don’t ever actually get to reward yourself, you may need to adjust.  Again, remember the lesson of the Unschedule: Depriving yourself completely can be self-defeating.

Here’s how you can counteract that. Reward yourself for smaller achievements early on, so you’re not running a marathon to hit your first finish line. 

Sometimes your brain just needs to learn what goal achievement actually feels like. 

After you build up a bank of small wins to whet your appetite, then start demanding more of yourself.

Mind Hack #26:

Give yourself a computer “curfew”.

Not only are computer screens disruptive to healthy sleep, but spending half your night in the digital world after work can be disruptive to happy living. Not to mention make you feel like you never checked out of work at all.

Give yourself a “computer curfew.” 

For example, force yourself to shut down all computers and devices at 8:30 pm. So you can wind down and listen to music, read, or just spend time with family.

If you’re using FocusMe, you can set these rules in virtual stone, making it impossible to open your apps or browsers. You can even retain access to certain programs, like Spotify for music, while keeping yourself out of everything else.

Keeping your nights completely free not just of work but any digital activity is one of the quickest and easiest productivity hacks anyone can implement starting tonight.

Mind Hack #27:

Inject your work with purpose.

It’s so much easier to get passionate and engaged with what you’re doing if you have a bigger why. 

If you don’t have one, hey, money isn’t a horrible place to start.

List out all the things you plan to do with your money – and that you couldn’t do without it. Reading over this in the morning can instantly remind you why working hard is important, perhaps even mandatory.

But the most powerful why will be bigger than you. 

Think about the bigger picture. How does your work CONTRIBUTE to the world?

How does your product or service genuinely make people more satisfied, make them safer, or help them live better lives.?

Maybe at this moment, you just can’t get excited about the impact your work has on the world. Hey, we all have to pay the bills. But often even the most mundane work in the world has an important purpose. 

Imagine a world without clean floors and unclogged toilets, for instance. Most things matter, or they wouldn’t exist. 

So try to connect with what makes YOUR work matter.

If that still doesn’t work, can you think of your job as a chance to master a skill that will take you where you want to go? How would seeing your work as being paid to learn change your approach?

The simple question of why can completely transform a day of work.

Perhaps even an entire career.

Bottom Line: You Don’t Need A Drill Sergeant Standing Over Your Shoulder To Conquer Worlds At Home

Disciplining the brain is like leash-training an over-eager puppy.

What happens when you try to walk an untrained dog? It constantly runs circles around your feet, right? It’s wriggling little nose yanking it (and often you) this way and that.

How do you get it to settle down and follow, then? Kick it in the ribs? Scream at it and tell it what an unproductive loser it is?

Of course not!

Yet so many people take the “kick in the ribs” approach to getting their brain to behave. Is it any wonder it fails?

No, you give clear and simple commands. Reinforce them by gently but consistently guiding it back on track again and again. Maybe even the occasional treat.

Just like with the puppy, your mind needs the right guidance and conditioning.

This list of mind hacks can help you do it.

Now Go Teach Your Brain to Behave:

https://FocusMe.com

One Response

I have a big problem with overcoming prostration. I’m not saying I’m lazy, but it’s hard for me to get started because I keep thinking it’s not the right time. The way out for me was to create a very strict schedule, for example from 10 to 12 am I work no matter what, and the time from 6 to 8 pm is also dedicated to working. This way I have to do 4 hours of work and the rest of the tasks I try to do during the day. Thank you, I will listen to your advice and try to use some techniques from the article.

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    Motivation Motivation Hacks 12 tactics to help you accomplish your goals and build healthy habits. ... For example, complete a chore or homework assignment (if you are a student) and then give ...

  7. Homework Help: 11 Tips and Hacks for Focusing on Homework

    This guide is full of tips to help you remain focused and motivated when it comes to your homework. 11 Ways to Focus on Your Homework . It's easy to lose focus and motivation when trying to finish a piece of homework. Next time you feel your mind wandering, try some of these 11 tips and tricks for regaining focus. 1. Get rid of distractions

  8. 9 Homework Hacks

    Tip #1: Create a study schedule. Homework from certain subjects, such as Maths, may take longer than others. It's a great idea to plan out a weekly calendar based on your weekly class schedule. You'll need to keep track of the different deadlines and commitments you have, and anticipate the amount of time you need to get different tasks ...

  9. 3 Ways to Find Motivation to Do Homework

    1. Reward yourself when you meet a homework goal. Rewards can be a powerful motivator! Whenever you accomplish a goal—even a little one—take a moment to reward yourself. [1] Your rewards don't have to be anything elaborate or fancy.

  10. 5 homework motivation tips

    Tip 3: Schedule breaks and fun. All work and no play is a huge motivation killer. To make your homework time more tolerable, schedule something to look forward to. The key is to be specific about what you plan - the more specific you are, the more your brain will be able to visualize it and be motivated by it.

  11. Some Homework Hacks To Help You Finish Your Assignments

    The first and foremost rule of motivating yourself to get on with your studies without procrastinating is to have a routine cycle. Good sleep, a well-organized plan and regular studies instead of last-minute memorization are much more effective than flasks of coffee and rote learning methods. A few tips and tricks to help give you that little ...

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    Motivation hacks. Source: Tirachard/Pexels. ... For example, complete a chore or homework assignment (if you are a student) and then give yourself 10 minutes on social media, or eat a tasty snack. ...

  13. 8 Proven Hacks to Get Your Homework Done Fast

    Here are some of the best time-saving productivity hacks for students to make it easier and faster to complete their homework. 1. Consistently keep track of your homework. One of the biggest mistakes I see students make is thinking they'll remember all of their assigned tasks. I don't doubt that you have a good memory.

  14. How to Motivate Yourself: 11 Tips for Self Improvement

    Put your goal on the calendar. Make working toward your goal a habit. Plan for imperfection. Set small goals to build momentum. Track your progress. Reward yourself for the little wins as well as the big ones. Embrace positive peer pressure. Practice gratitude (including for yourself). Do some mood lifting.

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    I spoke with leading neuroscientists and asked them to share their favourite brain hacks that they implement in their daily lives. 1. Use the 'Memory Palace' technique to remember difficult lists. "The 'Memory Palace' is an ancient Greek and Roman technique for memorising difficult things, like lists of names, by mapping them onto ...

  16. 15 Aesthetic Study Websites to Instantly Motivate You

    📚🌟 Ignite your motivation with this comprehensive list of aesthetic study websites! Find Pomodoro timer, ambiance, and aesthetic note-taking websites that will make you excited to study! If you're feeling uninspired to study, creating the right study ambiance can transform your study experience. In this article, I'll be covering ...

  17. 5 homework motivation tips

    Motivation can be super unpredictable. It can go up or down, depending on soooo many different factors. Here are 5 homework motivation tips to help you out w...

  18. 12 Genius Motivation Hacks You Haven't Tried Yet

    Gabrielle Union shared her top three tips for motivation with us. These motivation tips may be exactly what you need to bring out that inner motivation even more. "Only compare yourself to the person you were yesterday.". "Visualize what you want.". "Write your own affirmation.".

  19. How to Motivate Yourself: 25 Ways to Increase Motivation

    Here are the top twenty-five techniques of learning that you can motivate yourself down the road to success. 1. Go Back to "Why". Focusing on a dull task doesn't make it any more attractive. Zooming out and asking yourself why you are bothering in the first place will make it more appealing.

  20. 27 Productivity Mind Hacks to Get Work Done at Home

    Wall off your weekend. Plan time off and activities for rest and recreation throughout the week (and the day). Remember Parkinson's Law. Work tends to swell or shrink to the time you give it. So staking off free time first forces you to get work done in tighter windows…you know, so you actually have to do it.

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    Motivation Motivation Hacks 12 tactics to help you accomplish your goals and build healthy habits. ... For example, complete a chore or homework assignment (if you are a student) and then give ...

  22. How to Get Motivation to Do Homework: 7 Secret Hacks

    7 Secret Hacks to Gain Motivation for Homework. To succeed in life means hard work, confidence, and patience. The dream of every student is to study well and pass with good grades. While some students make efforts throughout the studying period, some fail to deliver the expected results. There are many reasons that can make a student perform ...

  23. ADHD and Motivation: 10 Productivity Hacks for Adults with ADHD

    Because the ADHD brain processes information differently, motivation strategies that work for non-ADHDers may not work well for adults with ADHD. Add boring, repetitive routine tasks to the mix, and any form of motivation becomes harder to find. As a result, many adults with ADHD tend to over-rely on task urgency to get the ball rolling.