How do you motivate yourself to stay productive on an off day?

Examine your activities on Monday and Tuesday and ensure you’re taking enough breaks from directed attention and getting enough sleep, and then perhaps you won’t feel as tired midweek. It’s better for health and wellness to have a balanced work protocol throughout the week then go hard and crash.

For me, it’s sticking to the daily habits and routines I've built and not deviating from them. This helps me still feel productive even on off days.

I try to spend a few seconds to see myself portrayed as I dream of myself in the future. That gives me enough inspiration to bring the focus back again.

Take it slow and understand that some bad days does not affect the overall result.

Same for me! I have a lot of energy on Monday/Tuesday and then Wednesday I feel like I need a break. So I accept that I can't be at 100% productivity all the time and embrace this. I do easier tasks that don't need a lot of brainpower so I can recharge for the next two days of the workweek. Or, because I have a flexible schedule, I work more hours on the days I feel productive and less hours when I don't.

I use Ivy Lee Method so I plan 6 tasks for each day of the work week, this really helps me stay focused. But, If im having a really hard day, i try to change my enviroment and work from coffee shop, from home and so on ☺️

For me, I make a list of all the small/quick tasks I have and do those, then just leave bigger tasks for the following day. It allows me to still do work and accomplish some things without feeling overwhelmed or burdened.

Lots of coffee ☕️

If it's an "off" day, I allow it to be an "off" day and I don't try to pressure myself into being super productive on that day. That helps me get back into the groove of things, eventually.

I use a range of techniques such as: Pomodoro, social motivation, and time blocking and skill tracking to stay productive. (Bit of a shameless plug) In short I use: https://confluo.app

Might I suggest allocating tasks that align with your energy throughout the week? In the daily context, you might know if you have better focus in the early mornings, afternoon or evenings - and plan work accordingly What if you can apply the same methodology to your week and intentionally time-block less menial work for Weds to give yourself a break, while still getting things done?

Usually, schedule a lot of meetings where I check back with the team or stuff I have delegated sometime back.

I leave my phone at my desk and just go outside for a walk. I find that most times 10 - 20 minutes of walking with my thoughts generally helps re-align my focus. When that doesn't work, I shut off all work-related stuff and do something else for 2 - 3 hours before sitting down at my desk again. It can be reading a book or playing video games or going to the gym. Anything but work.

I keep a running list of "want to do" projects that I don't typically have time for because they're not the highest priority. On a day where I'm feeling "off," pulling something that sounds fun from that list tends to let me accomplish something even if it's not 100% original to my to-do list for that week. Ex: making a database to track organic social media growth...it's not the most important thing on my list, but it is productive and helpful, and something I enjoy :) Other than that, I try to be gentle with myself on those days! Take lots of breaks to walk the dog, switch up where I'm working or work outside, treat myself to a coffee or my favorite lunch. No one can be 100% focused and productive 100% of the time, so give yourself grace to accomplish less sometimes...it's totally okay, and you'll get back on track the next day.

For me it's important to rest enough 😉 When I'm tired motivation can't help me

With fresh air and being kind to yourself.

I time-block my day, and I keep a list of my important to-dos.

I start doing 5-minute chores. Whenever I finish a task/chore, I give myself a mental self-five. Once you get used to being productive, it gets easier to continue the rest of the day.

Rest enough 👌