Tips to become self-motivated and complete your to-do list

This is a question I get asked a lot, how do I keep myself so motivated? There are a few ways I do this, so I thought it would be a good start for a blog post.

Three or four years ago I used to look at blogs and Bookstagram accounts and think I wanted to be one of those creators. I would desperately envision how my site and channels would look, thinking for days about dedicating the time to setting my own up. Then one day I thought sod it, and I created my Instagram account.

I’ve started this blog post with the origin of my accounts because from this moment on I had a goal, I wanted to be like the accounts I so admired. I knew it wouldn’t be easy work, but I did know that I loved doing it. Since running my blog and Instagram I have always been consistent, I don’t miss posting times and I don’t take breaks. This is mainly because I don’t feel like I need to because this is how my brain works best. You may be the type of person who needs a break, in which case, take one! But for me, I like to be constantly busy. To be honest, I get a little jealous of lazy days, because I can only have a lazy hour or so before becoming too bored.

It seems my brain prefers to always be mulling things over and creating. I don’t like to be idle, so writing my blog and creating content occupies the part of my mind that needs stimulation.

Setting goals helps me succeed

I know myself and I know how I work best. To set myself goals, such as hitting a milestone in followers or writing a certain amount of blog posts over a weekend, helps me meet my targets. By now, I know what I need to produce each week to keep my accounts afloat, so I make sure every weekend I’m getting this done.

I always write a to-do list

When I know I have a day of working on BooksNest things, I find it really helps me to write out all of the tasks I need to do. I list everything out, from big to small and draw a little box next to it so when I’m done, I can tick it off. This is both very satisfying, to see my tasks reduce, but also really useful to see everything written down.

I am always trying to do better and produce my best work

I’m at an awkward stage in life and my career at the moment, where I am not quite where I’m meant to be, but I’m getting there. I know that the more effort I put into my blog, the more it will benefit me in the future. Whether I’m using it as a portfolio for my dream job in London, or if it’s serving as an audience to share any paid work with. If I put the effort in now and try to make this the best it can be, I know I will benefit from it one day.

This time next year, you’ll be glad you started today!

I love what I do and I want to keep doing it

Ultimately, I adore what I do. I love creating content for BooksNest. I put more time into this than I do my day job, so it serves as a huge motivator for me. I feel passionate about my writing, my photos, the books I read and that passion drives my creation. I don’t think of this as boring or an obligation. I think of it as something I feel excited about and want to create.

Only I can write my own success

And finally, I know that my future is up to me. My blog will succeed because of the effort I put into it. Of course you lovely humans help it succeed, but you wouldn’t be here unless I put the effort into letting you know who I am. This is down to me to create the content you read and share, if I fail to do that then I only have myself to blame.

I hope you find some motivation in this. I know I’m lucky to be self motivated and to enjoy being busy. I’m thankful every day for the effort I have put into my blog and where it has got me now. Thank you to everyone who has helped me on this journey.