Why can't I get motivated during COVID-19? Why are some people extremely productive and others feeling kind of stuck?

Photo by Isaac Smith on Unsplash

People are talking about productivity during lockdown. This topic is everywhere. On social media, in magazines, in my group chats with pals. Everywhere. People are either asking why they can’t get productive or they are asking why others seem to be going into overdrive. Able to do, do, do.

I was recently asked if I think the difference between peoples productivity levels links to their personality type (i.e. is it a Type A vs Type B thing) and I thought I would share my answer:

I think the way people are responding right now has less to do with their personality (whether they are type a or b) and more to do with survival. Specifically, where you are in the survival response right now and how you have survived and/or coped in the past. 

Where you are in your own survival mode affects how you feel and how productive you can be:

Our brains are constantly scanning the environment for danger when it finds a threat it switches us into survival mode, it prepares us to fight, run, freeze or fawn. It switches us out of the part of our brain that allows us to be in the present moment, to make complex decisions and maintain focus. Coronavirus is definitely a threat. A threat to the world as we know it, as well as to millions of peoples lives and financial security.  Due to this, most of us are in survival mode, not able to choose how to feel and what to do. 

If you are in the fight or flight part of survival mode you could feel anything from anxious to angry to overwhelmed, or equally, you could feel adrenaline-filled, energised, productive and/or frantic. 

For example, some people are hyper-productive right now as their survival depends on them not stopping. Stopping may mean businesses and work may disappear - meaning serious financial challenges that could stop them being able to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads. They are fully mobilised as stopping could equal the end. This is full-productivity survival mode. 

If you are in the freeze response, you may have lost all energy, all emotion, and feel totally shut down.

How you coped in the past affects how you will be feeling and acting now:

Another layer to this is that during times of stress our brain reverts back to the coping strategies we used during the earliest periods of our lives. 

For example, if, in the past, you coped by taking control of your environment, or taking control through working, routine and staying busy, you may slip into this. You may then also start putting these controlling methods on other people around you. 

If you coped by taking control of your eating, or if you regulated your emotional state with food or alcohol, it may be that those old coping strategies and habits will arise here too. 

Equally if, when you were little you survived by dissociating and shutting down, this may be what reemerges for you too.

However you are coping it is important to note that:

1) When we are in survival mode we burn through energy really fast. We become exhausted very quickly. So low energy and motivation can be a very normal experience right now. Also, if your life has changed significantly, you are feeling lonely, isolated, if you have lost someone, or do not feel seen, valued or useful in any way, this will also affect your psychology and how much energy and motivation you have.

2) All coping mechanisms are valid! The main aim of quarantine is survival. Keeping ourselves and other people safe. If you want some skills to help soothe yourself through this time click here.

3) No one is going to 'win' quarantine!

4) Stress heightens comparison and the inner critic. We need to step away from the idea that there is a right way to do quarantine. There isn't. We need instead to focus on offering ourselves a kind voice. If you notice critical thoughts pop up, think about what you would say to a friend if they were saying this about themselves, and say this to yourself instead. If you need some tips on how to do this click on this link.

5) For people who are really struggling and feel like they really can’t cope, consider seeking professional support as well as the support of people around you. This is a time to seek connection if you can and to find ways to be kind to yourself and support yourself. Remember, you are not alone.

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I am a Clinical Psychologist trying to get effective psychological advice out of the therapy room and into everyday life.

If you found this article useful and want to learn more about why you feel the way you do, and how to cope with whatever life throws at you… Pre-order my book “A Manual For Being Human”, which is out on July 8th.

Also, connect with me on Instagram for daily posts to help boost your mood.