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This article was first published in September 2020.

Staying focused and driven can be tricky, especially when things feel uncertain. If you're looking for some tips for staying motivated, check out the advice below.

Here's a recap if you'd rather read the advice instead of watching the video:

1. Set goals

Part of getting and staying motivated is focusing on what you’re trying to achieve. Make sure your goals are realistic and have a clear endpoint. You could even share your goals with a family member or friend you trust for an extra boost of motivation.

2. Break things down

When you feel like you have a mountain of things to do, or that you’re behind on everything, it can be really difficult to motivate yourself to keep going. If your goals are big and ambitious that’s great, but try breaking them down into manageable chunks to make them feel more achievable. And don’t forget to reward yourself when you complete a step!

3. Write it down

Why not try writing down one or two positive things you’ve achieved each day? Taking notice of small achievements can be a really helpful exercise to remind ourselves of the positives when we’re feeling demotivated.

4. Take breaks!

Even if the work is piling up, you need to take regular, short breaks to keep up your concentration levels. Try to think of things you can do that you enjoy or make you feel good. And remind yourself there are lots of different things that make you who you are, not just your school work.

5. Talk to someone

If you’ve tried to get motivated and it hasn’t worked, it can be helpful to talk to someone you trust. Having a support network can help you to stay motivated.

Based on advice from children’s mental health charity, Place2Be.

If you need support

You should always tell someone about the things you’re worried about. You can tell a friend, parent, guardian, teacher, or another trusted adult. If you're struggling with your mental health, going to your GP can be a good place to start to find help. Your GP can let you know what support is available to you, suggest different types of treatment and offer regular check-ups to see how you’re doing.

If you’re in need of in-the-moment support you can contact , where you can speak to a counsellor. Their lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

There are more links to helpful organisations on ����ý Action Line.