These days, it can be hard to not put off work. Some of us can be procrastinators and others can actually get work done in a timely manner. However, no matter what kind of person that you are, that ‘to-do list’ can be daunting. Even if it feels like you can’t do it, you can. Most of the time, what is lacking would be the motivation to get things done.

One of the most important steps to build that drive is considering what the outcomes would be. What positive possibilities might happen if you completed your homework that is due tomorrow? If there is any, is it worth spending part of your time to earn it?

If I told you being happy is a key component of feeling motivated, you might not believe me, but it is true. According to Daniel Akst in the book, Temptation: Finding Self-Control in an Age of Excess, procrastination is more likely to happen when you are in a bad mood. So finding a way to raise those endorphin, dopamine, serotonin, and/or oxytocin levels (those are the chemicals in the brain that react to happiness) can get you hyped to work.

Another step to consider is changing your inner dialogue. In an article written by Jill Weber Ph.D., the power of creating small habits connected to changing your internal voice can change your life. One of these habits can include telling yourself you can do the task. An additional is trying to think a positive thought for each criticism your brain gives you.

Lastly, as the Nike motto goes, just do it!. In Lifehack, the most important step is to just start on something and keep doing it for a while. Once you do this for a while, your mind slowly starts moving its focus from distraction to the work you wanted to do in the first place.

We all struggle at one point with not wanting to do a chore or a school assignment. But we don’t have to struggle with that problem as much as we usually do. Most of the time, it can be solved with patience and of course, motivation.