Has anyone overcome problems with lack of energy/motivation?

[AlexaShutUp]

I find it so hard to motivate myself to do stuff, whether it's work, exercise, housework or whatever. I seem to persistently lack energy and/or motivation to get on with what I need/want to do. It's like I just can't be bothered to expend any more effort than I really have to in order to manage the basics. I do manage the basics, but I'd like to be so much more driven and proactive.

I really don't think it's a medical issue, I have been this way for as long as I can remember. Perhaps I'm just lazy. Somehow, I have achieved quite a lot in spite of myself, but deep down, I know I could do so much more. If only I could get off my arse and work for it.

I am fed up of living like this and I really want to make changes. However, I always say this with the best of intentions and then slide to my old ways.

Has anyone else felt like this and actually managed to turn things around? If so, please tell me how you did it!

Thanks all. I think I'm going to try and tackle the diet and exercise first, and apply some of the other tips on here. Then if things don't improve, I will have to work up the courage to go and see my GP.

You may find a TED talk by Mel Robbins "how to stop screwing yourself over" interesting, especially from around 09:56 onwards.

Ooh, thanks Shah. I love TED talks. 🙂

Perhaps it's just that there's "so much" to do, you just can't face it. Have you tried the "eat and elephant" approach? Break it down into smaller/easier chunks. If your whole house needs a deep clean, just set yourself small, easy goals, like a room per week, have specific days for doing specific tasks, such as changing the beds and washing every Sunday, washing your clothes every Wednesday, vacuuming every Monday, "big" shop every Saturday. Once you've broken everything down into easy chunks and set days, then you can make it a habit. But you also need to do some things every day, like washing up and keeping things tidy by putting stuff away when you've used it. Yes, I know I've concentrated on house-keeping, but it applies to everything else too, such as work, family, children, garden, hobbies, etc. You need to adopt the Nike approach - i.e. "just do it" rather than putting it off and letting stuff build up. It's all about a positive mindset and a "go" attitude.