A couple weeks back, I asked folks what they were struggling with right now. The top answer? How do you get things done when you’re not in the right headspace? Honestly, I get it. These days, even basic tasks can feel like climbing Everest in flip-flops. But here’s the thing—the problem isn’t laziness or lack of discipline. It’s about the stories we tell ourselves. Let me explain. See, your productive mindset isn’t some magical switch you flip. It’s built on the narratives you believe. Before everything went sideways, most of us had a straightforward script: work hard, save money, build a stable future. That story kept us going because it gave purpose to the grind. But now? The plot’s full of holes. What’s the point of hustling for a degree if jobs feel uncertain? Why meal prep if there’s nowhere to go? When the future’s foggy, motivation evaporates.
The fix isn’t about forcing productivity. It’s about rewriting your story. Not some fluffy “believe in yourself!” mantra, but something raw and real enough that your brain buys into it. A story needs two things: believability and hope. If it feels like a lie, you’ll shrug it off. If it’s all doom, why bother? But if you craft a narrative that’s just plausible enough and paints a brighter tomorrow? That’s rocket fuel.
Take mine. I’ve convinced myself that the economic fallout from recent years is going to hit harder than we’ve seen. Family in New York? They’ll struggle. So my job isn’t just writing articles—it’s building a safety net. Every hour I work, every dollar I save, becomes armor against what’s coming. Is this story 100% true? Doesn’t matter. I believe it. And suddenly, working 60-hour weeks isn’t exhausting—it’s urgent. Necessary.
This isn’t about delusion. It’s about grafting purpose onto chaos. I stumbled on Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning during a low point last year. Frankl, a Holocaust survivor, argues that finding purpose—any purpose—is what keeps humans going in hellish conditions. His line, “Those who have a ‘why’ to live can bear almost any ‘how,’” stuck with me. Your story is your why. Without it, even tiny tasks feel impossible.
So how do you start? Look at the facts. What’s actually happening around you? Maybe your industry’s crumbling, or isolation’s eating at you. Acknowledge it. Then ask: What’s one thing I can control? For me, it’s hustling to secure income. For you, maybe it’s learning a skill, reconnecting with family, or just staying healthy. Build a narrative where those small actions add up to something bigger.
Your story doesn’t need to be grand. It just needs to tether today’s effort to tomorrow’s light. Maybe you’re prepping for a future where remote work explodes, so you’re mastering Zoom charisma. Or you’re staying fit because when the world reopens, you want to hike that trail guilt-free. The key is linking the mundane to a vision you care about.
Will this fix everything? Nope. Some days still suck. But a good story turns “What’s the point?” into “This matters.” It’s not about ignoring reality—it’s about reshaping how you frame reality. The facts don’t change. The meaning does.
So grab a notebook. Ditch the old script. Write a new one where you’re the hero grinding for something that matters. Repeat it until your gut believes it. Then watch as laundry gets folded, emails get sent, and life gets lived—not because you “have to,” but because your story demands it.
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