4 Ways to Pull Yourself Out of a Slump

Have you ever had a workday when you’re unmotivated, low, and things seemed to be off? It happens to everyone; even high performers, workaholics, and those who absolutely love their jobs sometimes can find themselves in a slump. What to do to get out of a rut?

Whether your productivity has taken a beating or you’re feeling Monday blues, nudging yourself out of a slump is never easy. Here are four tried and true ways you may want to consider to beat the blues, pull yourself out of a slump, and become more productive.

1. Get to Know Why You’re in a Slump

If you have found yourself in a rut, there’s a good reason(s) behind it, and figuring out why you have difficulty focusing and becoming productive is the first step in the right direction. Perhaps you’re bored or uninterested in a particular project or task. Are you having issues with your teammates or your boss? Do you feel that you’re better off working in another career field or company?

The idea is that it’s hard to pull yourself out of a slump if you don’t know the root of the problem. You might also have to think about your life outside the workplace as well.

2. Shake Up your Work Lifestyle and Scene

If you’re stuck in a rut, there’s a good chance that you’ve lost sight of what once motivated and inspired you. Even before changing the scene at work, you might want to take one or two days off to soul-search, and find that sense of purpose that once fueled your productivity. Planning a small retreat will help you refocus, and come back rejuvenated.

If that cannot do the trick, it’s best that you change the scene. If your line of work allows it, you can pick a quiet corner away from the usual floor or even go to a coffee shop to find inspiration from new sounds, sights, and people. You can also up the ante by hanging out with new people. Oftentimes that means shaking up life outside the office as well. Perhaps you can take up yoga, join a book club or sign up for volunteering opportunities.

3. Monotask: Focus on One Thing at a Time

The chances are that your mind is racing through a long list of tasks and projects you need to complete. Your boss is on your case for a late report, you have got a slew of upcoming meetings you aren’t ready for, and there are a ton of emails waiting to be replied. The possibility is that you’ll attempt to take on all of these items on your to-do list at the same time.

That’s a big no-no. Instead, you should focus on one task at a time because juggling too many balls at once will make your slump worse. The rule of thumb is to start off with the most important tasks first. As you progress through the list, you will start to regain your focus and ease out of the slump.

4. Locate a Mentor

Ask for help from someone who is successful in your niche, perhaps a thought leader in the beauty and skin care industry. Having a mentor on your side ensures that you’re getting sound advice so you can pull yourself out of the slump.