Why You’re Struggling to Get Work Done (And How to Fix It)

The following is adapted from Maximize by Alex Dripchak.

Do you struggle to start, sustain, or optimize your work? Often, productivity problems aren’t a mix of everything—they usually stem from one core issue: motivation, energy, or focus. The trick is identifying which one is holding you back.

Let’s start with starting. Difficulty beginning a task can be a matter of procrastination, unclear priorities, or low motivation. If motivation is the root problem, create a battle plan for low-energy days. Know in advance what steps will get you moving. My personal toolkit includes heading to the library, putting my phone on Pomodoro focus mode, playing a creative or deep-thinking playlist, and having green tea, water, and focus supplements ready. These small preemptive actions make all the difference when motivation wanes.

If energy is your bottleneck, it’s time to assess your body and mind. Did you sleep enough? Are you exercising? Can you fit in a quick nap or a brief workout before or during work? If time is tight, try a shorter intervention: ten push-ups, a meditation break, or a stimulating conversation with a friend or colleague. Even a short comedy clip can recharge your energy and reset your brain.

Optimization problems, on the other hand, require a broader audit of your environment. Beyond sleep and exercise, pay attention to water intake, scents like rosemary or peppermint, foods such as salmon or turmeric, and your natural chronotype. Aligning your day with your peak focus times ensures that you’re not wasting energy on low-value tasks like dishes or scrolling through TV guides. Optimization is about aligning all the pieces.

Once you’ve pinpointed your struggle, examine the triggers that pull you off course. As Marshall Goldsmith explains in Triggers, a trigger is any stimulus that reshapes your thoughts and actions. Some triggers fracture attention—like frequent social media checks—while others consume large blocks of time. For me, it’s trip planning: a harmless search for hotels can easily consume hours if not properly scheduled.

Timing becomes critical. Structure your day so tasks that pull you in have dedicated blocks—either before an activity with a firm start time or after work is done. Otherwise, the anxiety of juggling your pleasurable task with necessary work saps focus and energy. The goal isn’t eliminating triggers entirely; it’s planning for them. Decide when and where you can enjoy them fully, without cognitive interference.

Productivity isn’t about willpower alone—it’s about strategy. Identify the bottleneck, manage your energy, and structure your environment. When you do, even the hardest work can flow.

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For more on mastering focus, energy, and productivity, find Maximize on Amazon.

Author, speaker, founder, career coach, sales director, and AI sales advisor Alex Dripchak is a multipassionate, hyperpresent professional. As leader of the Commence Foundation, his skill-building initiatives ensure the social, professional, and financial future success of college students. He is Director of Client Services for Bright Horizons, helping employers offer foundational education and caregiving benefits to their employees and dependents. He is also a founding partner and brand advisor of Insyghtful AI, using real-time human and AI coaching to offer its users the best in sales messaging and strategy. An alumnus of Boston College, Alex and his family call New York City metro home.