You have probably scheduled a boring meeting or maybe a task you’re not really looking forward to—like getting a police clearance or a root canal—and you are wondering how on earth you can motivate yourself to go through this painful day.

Sometimes, it’s a matter of perspective. Other times, you just need to convince yourself that this, too, shall pass. Here are 8 ways to get from here to there in one piece.

1. Have an exquisite beginning.

Put on an expensive shirt, stay one hour in the shower lathering yourself up with that expensive bath gel you’ve been keeping for months, or make a healthy, colourful, crunchy-fresh meal! Make your morning so luxurious that the rest of the day will have to follow suit.

2. Keep the 86,400-Second Principle in mind.

Just think of your time as currency. Every day you are given 86,400 pesos to spend (that’s actually 86,400 seconds in one day) that you have to spend wisely because it will not be carried over to the next day. You’re supposed to get the motivation to be wise with that money/time.

3. Do as the Brahmins do.

In Brahma Kumaris, an international spiritual organization, the members engage in what is called Traffic Control. This is a series of short breaks (three minutes, five minutes, or one minute) scattered at certain hours throughout the day. When it’s time for one break, as long as it’s practical to do so, you have to stop whatever you’re doing and just sit in silence, breathe, and relax. The mini vacation will energize you and help you get through the day.

4. Make someone laugh.

When going through a particularly long and difficult day, it might help to shift the focus away from yourself and bring it to another person. Maybe someone needs a hand or some cheering up. The author Leo Buscaglia said that many moments every day present us with opportunities to spread the love.

5. Remind yourself WHY.

There must be an important reason why you have to sit in the dental chair and go through a two-hour root canal session with your dentist. All you need to do is close your eyes and remember the why.

6. Promise yourself a prize.

Talk to your inner child and bribe it with a present. Tell your inner child that if she is able to finish the tasks and go through the difficult day, she’ll get to enjoy a nice bar of dark chocolate afterwards. Or whatever carrot she might be interested in.

7. Fill the day with things you love.

Make sure that you are able to squeeze in at least a couple of activities you’d be excited about. The horrible meeting shouldn’t take up the entire day! Save an hour for curling up with your current read, or 30 minutes of refreshing yoga. Go on Skype with a friend, call someone you miss, or write a haiku—whatever works.

8. What’s your problem??

When the suggestions above have failed to help, then it must be time to take a long, hard look at yourself and identify what your problem is. It’s easier to find solutions if you’re clear about why you’re feeling bored, unmotivated, lazy, or uninspired.

Got any more tips on how to feel like a million bucks? Share them with us below?