We always talk about how awesome freelancing is – being able to avoid traffic, having flexible schedules and taking control of your earnings. But no matter how awesome it is, freelancers don’t always whistle happy tunes at work.

I still drag my feet to work, even when my laptop is in the very same room.

We all get days when watching cat videos, checking restaurant menus, trimming our nails - ANYTHING non-work-related – seem more exciting.

But then again, if you’ve got some important income goals (or upcoming deadlines), you know better than to give in it to this sluggish feeling. If you’re serious about making it big in this business, you’ll have to force yourself to get into "work mode," even when your mood suggests otherwise.

Here are 5 quick ways to wake up your productive self, when you just don’t feel like working:

1. Take a cold shower.

Remember the good old days in corporate?

I don’t know about you but I used to brave those freezing, early morning baths to prepare for work. Though terribly uncomfortable, those cold baths never failed to forcibly wake me up every day. Believe me, it still works today.

So, if you want to scare that lazy mood away, go ahead and take a cold bath!

2. Quickly clean up your surroundings.

Neuroscientists have released studies showing how clutter messes up one’s ability to focus and process information.

As freelancers, we tend to overlook tidying up our workspace because we usually work in a familiar environment.

If you’re working in your bedroom, take a few minutes to make your bed - fold blankets, fluff pillows, and put away stuffed toys, used clothes, or everything else that don’t belong.

If you work in the dining/living area, wash those dirty dishes and wipe your dining table clean. Turn the TV off, stack magazines and paper items neatly, and put other stuff back where they’re kept.

If you have your own workstation, clear your desk of unnecessary papers, notebooks, unwashed mugs, snack wrappers, etc. Make some extra space by hiding excess wirings from chargers and accessories.

3. Dance.

If you’ve been sitting idly for hours, your body could use some extra blood circulation.

Get up, stretch, and search YouTube for some 10-minute Zumba or short dance exercises. This should jumpstart your energy levels, keeping you alert and ready for work.

Don’t overdo this though, especially if you’re not used to exercising. You don’t want to end up feeling exhausted and more sleepy.

4. Drink water.

Feeling lazy and unreasonably tired could be a sign of dehydration.

If you can’t remember how long it has been since you drank water, go ahead and pour yourself a glass. Chug it down and feel instantly refreshed.

5. Break your tasks into bite-size pieces.

If you’ve been putting off one big task because your brain is not working, keep breaking it down until it becomes very small and doable in 5 minutes.

If a task only takes 5 minutes, you won’t have any excuses not to do it. And as you check off each bite-size task, you’re also gaining work momentum.

For example, if your task is to write a 1,000-word blog post and you just CAN'T get started, here’s how it looks like when broken into small tasks, each doable in 5 minutes:

-Choose a topic.

-Scribble 3-5 points you want to make.

-Decide on a temporary headline.

-Write 3 sentences for the Intro.

-Write 3 sentences for Point #1.

-Write 3 sentences for Point #2.

-Write 3 sentences for Point #3.

-Write 3 sentences for the ending.

-Read the entire thing.

-Add more words/sentences to connect your thoughts.

-Edit the draft.

-Add subheadings.

-Finalize the headline.

-Choose images, if needed.

-Proofread one last time.

-Submit.

See how easy each task is? No matter how slowly you check each item off, your body would already be in work mode by the time you reach halfway.

There you go, guys. I hope you found this post helpful whenever you don’t feel like working.

Remember that even though freelancing allows you freedom of time, it’s choosing to work when you're not in the mood that puts you above everyone else.

Go get ém, tiger!