The words "I don't feel like doing it" often come to your mind. "I don't feel" like it is a tragical common phrase for students and for people working in creative fields, and it's really something that limits your potential and that limits your productivity when you're trying to get things done.

When you say it, when you think it, when you feel it, it doesn't change what you can do next. It does nothing to actually limit your decisions going forward. When you say "I don't feel like it", you're simply giving yourself an excuse not to do the work that you know you need to do. It doesn't actually prevent you from opening your laptop and typing a paper. It doesn't actually prevent you from opening a book and studying for a while. It just lets you give yourself an excuse to not do those things. The writer James Clear said that the difference between professionals and amateurs are that "amateurs wait until they feel inspired to do creative work. Professionals do it on a strict schedule". If you look at a lot of other famous writers and creatives, they stick to strict schedules and do the same amount of work every day.

Here's how you can apply this mindset to your life as a student. You've got a lot of studying to do, you've got a lot of projects to work on, homework assignments, all this different stuff, and you don't always have the willpower to do it but that doesn't matter because you can just say I'm going to do it. Here's a tip you can use to improve your success in using this mindset. Give yourself permission to create imperfect work. A lot of writers swear by the concept of creating shitty first drafts, just sitting down and writing whatever comes to mind no matter it is. Weightlifters are the same. They go the gym and work out every day even if they feel like they're not going to put up good numbers that day. As a student, if you want to study something, you don't have to feel like you need to learn every single thing in one study session. You can just learn one thing or two things or simply open the book and make an attempt. It's the same with homework assignments. Don't feel like you need to get everything done. Just feel like you need to start. Once you've gained a little bit of momentum and you've finished a few problems, the rest of the assignment will be easier to complete. Adopting this mindset that I don't feel like it doesn't matter.

Sure, there are all sorts of techniques and tricks we can use but when it comes down to it, it's grit. It's having the mental toughness to say it doesn't matter if I don't feel like it. I'm going to get this done or I'm at least going to start. When you come in and do this day after day after day, progress is made. The progress that wouldn't be made if you simply said I don't feel like it and let that rule your life.

If you want to develop a growth mindset and believe you can become more intelligent, then go through the infographic below and see your motivation and grades increase dramatically.

Source: https://chloeburroughs.com

Now, there are a few may points that can be added besides the main idea, the idea that "I have to do it, and I WILL DO IT" even if you don't feel like it. Here are few additional things that you can take care of:

Try to create your interest in the subject matter. You don't get bored or don't feel like it when you are immersed in something deeper. Set up a timetable. By this, I mean you should set aside a few number of hours every day when you will study, and you will do it even when you don't feel like it. Because it doesn't matter how you feel, you will still do it. Try to keep distractions away when you are studying. People are different. Some people can concentrate even in the noisiest and most distracting environments, and some people would get distracted even when somebody is just walking by. So, identify the type of person you are and then act accordingly. Identify your weaknesses or weak points and try to put extra effort or give extra time on those subjects. Practice makes a man perfect. Keep practicing, keep getting better. The more you practice the more the confidence you will gain. Last but not the least, appreciate yourself when you make an effort. Reward yourself.

So, the next time when you feel like watching TV or going out, when you have to study, tell yourself that "Even if I don't feel like studying, I will still do it". Because, that's all it takes, to make an effort, to resist, till you start enjoying it eventually.

This post has been inspired by the YouTube video. Check out his channel for more such videos.