What I do to keep motivated

When a heavy semester hits, it is tempting to feel overwhelmed and contemplate opening a patisserie. But, daydreams of meringues and cookies fresh from the oven aside, stuff needs to get done, classes need to be taught, and work needs to be moved forward.

For me, staying motivated is not about finding a single magic formula. It’s about building a rhythm that keeps energy flowing even when the days are long and full of obligations, and the work feels heavy. For me, motivation comes from weaving together the things that fuel me, recharge me, and remind me why I do what I do.

Here are some of the ways I keep myself going:

• Work on things I like: Nothing beats the drive that comes from diving into projects that spark my curiosity and align with my passions. At the end of the day, I have the privilege as a researcher to work on things that I chose.
• Travel: Changing scenery gives me new perspectives and resets my mind. Conferences and research trips are where I meet people I enjoy discussing with, get new ideas, and get a fresh wind through my brain.
• Lift heavy weights: The discipline of strength training doesn’t just build muscles: it builds resilience, focus, and a strong sense of progress. Also, when I get mansplained by someone because of course I don’t have the understanding of the topic, I can just think to myself: ok ok, I could deadlift you.
• Take a nap when I need one on Sundays: Rest is not a luxury; it’s part of the plan. Those naps are sacred little resets. Sometimes I plan to do a lot of work on Sunday, and instead sleep in, train hard, eat a lot, nap, and then reply some emails.
• Delight in the success of my students: The growth and achievements of my students remind me that the impact of my work extends far beyond myself.
• Run little experiments: I like to treat life and work as a laboratory. This semester, for example, I’m teaching my class as a COIL, and it breaks the repetitiveness of teaching the same course every semester.

Motivation isn’t something I wait for; it’s something I actively cultivate. By combining hard work with rest, curiosity with structure, and my own goals with the joy of seeing others succeed, I stay engaged and forward-looking. Motivation, in the end, is not about never slowing down—it’s about building a cycle of momentum that keeps carrying me forward.

Which strategies do you use to remain motivated?