How great leaders stay motivated when energy runs low
The latter part of the year can feel sluggish. You’ve powered through winter, juggled shifting priorities, and watched the to-do list grow faster than the daylight hours. The team’s tired. You’re tired. At the same time, the end of year looms large. Deadlines are closing in, projects need to be wrapped up, and there’s a collective push to “just get it done.”
Somewhere between those two realities sits you - wondering what to prioritise and how to summon the motivation to start.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. In our work with business leaders, this pattern shows up every year, even in high-performing teams. The good news? Motivation doesn’t have to be constant to be effective. You just need a few reliable ways to reignite it when it dips.
Here are seven leadership strategies that work when motivation doesn’t come naturally.
1. Reconnect with your “why”
When motivation drops, it’s often because you’ve lost touch with purpose. Step back and remind yourself - and your team - what all this effort is for. What impact are you creating? What progress have you already made? Reconnecting to meaning fuels drive far more effectively than sheer willpower.
Why this works: People are most engaged when their work aligns with what matters to them.
2. Break goals into bite-sized wins
Big goals can feel heavy. Shrink them. Define the smallest next step, finish it, and celebrate. Every small win builds confidence and confidence fuels momentum.
Why this works: Cognitive reframing is a powerful tool, progress triggers dopamine. It’s the brain’s way of saying, “Keep going.”
3. Commit to five minutes
Can’t start? Promise yourself five minutes. Write one line. Make one call. Once you’re in motion, momentum often takes over and those five minutes can easily turn into 30.
Why this works: Action precedes motivation. Sometimes you just have to start before you feel ready.
4. Change your environment
A change of scene can work wonders on a sluggish mind. If your office feels stale, move. Work from a café, a meeting room, or even outside. A change in setting cues new behaviours and boosts creative energy. Sometimes, stepping into a new space is all it takes to reset your focus and energy.
Why this works: When you work in the same place every day, your brain settles into routine patterns. A new environment signals a fresh start and sparks focus.
5. Plan around energy, not time
Notice when you’re sharpest. Schedule strategic thinking for those peaks, and lower-energy tasks for your dips. Working with your natural rhythm rather than against it can make a huge difference in output and motivation.
Why this works: Aligning your natural rhythms with the tasks you need to do is more energy efficient, allowing you to achieve more for less.
6. Build routines that carry you
Motivation is fickle, but habits are reliable. Build small, consistent routines that reduce the need for constant willpower, such as a morning check-in, scheduled creative time, or an end-of-day review. Over time, these rituals turn “I don’t feel like it” into “this is just what I do."
Why this works: Systems outperform moods. Reliable structure keeps performance steady.
7. Talk it out
If you’re stuck in your head, get out of it. Talk through what’s holding you back with a peer, mentor, or coach. Saying things out loud often brings clarity, and hearing another perspective can reignite your momentum.
Why this works: Fresh perspectives spark new ideas and sometimes, that’s all you need to move again.
The leadership takeaway
Motivation isn’t a constant state, it’s a skill to manage. Great leaders notice when it dips and have strategies to reset quickly. Whether that’s five focused minutes, a walk, or a conversation that lifts your energy - just start. Small actions build momentum.
If you’re looking to help your leadership team build these habits year-round, Sprout’s Growing Leaders programme gives them the mindset, tools, and confidence to lead with energy. Even when motivation runs low.
