Today I have two tasks that I absolutely need to do before the end of the day. Both are important. One of them is a fairly mundane task; the other is something I’m going to quite enjoy. Now, if I think about it, the motivation to make the task enjoyable is already there.

However, I don’t feel at all motivated to take on the unpleasant work. That, I think, is basic human nature. So it got me thinking about exactly how we can motivate ourselves to do those less glamorous jobs like filing your taxes or mowing the lawn or whatever it is that you know you should do but always have a hard time getting started.

Here are my top 5 tips for staying motivated…

Get fit and stay fit. You need a lot of energy if you want to stay motivated. So try to find some time each day to do aerobic exercise. This will raise your overall energy levels.

Eat properly. Make sure you take time for proper meals, especially at work. Step away from your desk at lunchtime, even if it’s just for half an hour. You will be more productive when you are there.

Keep your eyes on the prize. Every day, review your most important goals. See yourself as if you have achieved them. See yourself receiving the prize, the accolade or the reward. You will get a proper perspective on the day’s events by doing this regularly.

Get organized. Make a list of everything you need to do ahead of time. Then decide what those top two or three priorities are that you need to accomplish the next day.

Now here’s the kicker: do the nasty task on your list first! You will feel much more motivated when you have it out of the way. Not only that, but if you keep doing this, you’ll wonder why those tasks caused you any kind of mental difficulty in the first place.

At that time: I’ve gone for a run, I’ve had a light and healthy breakfast, I’ve reviewed my goals for the day and I have my list. Now where did I put that tax form?