We take our motivation for granted, until we don’t have it. Getting it back on track can take a little effort. I know, having worked on this myself. I thought it might help to write about it.
When you are faced with a tough job or a long one that is complicated, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. I have those days with writing on my book project. When avoidance sets in, you know you are in trouble, for the longer that goes, the harder and less motivated you feel to get back on track.
Here are some tactics that will help you ramp up your motivation. See if they help.
SELF CARE COMES FIRST
Do a little self-care inventory. If you are tired, stressed, not eating well or not physically in good shape, it can be hard to muster up the extra umph to dive into something difficult.
What self-care might be helpful for you to be more physically and emotionally prepared? If you need to rest, as I did, give yourself the time needed. You won’t be inspired or motivated if you are exhausted. The same is true with proper nutrition and exercise. Getting yourself prepared starts from the inside out.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO YOU AND OTHERS?
Recognize the purpose of your job or project to find the energy to recharge your motivation. Get specific on why this is important to you. Identify the skills or knowledge that you are utilizing and the long-term goal it serves. The more you can see how this is important the more you create internal steam to get moving again.
When you also identify the purpose it serves others, finding motivation becomes essential, even crucial. If you can see it serving a purpose greater than yourself, it becomes easier to get yourself back on track. This is where I find my motivation, I have something to say that I think is important. Again, be as specific as possible. What is the cost to not completing it, to you and to the greater good? I know I’d live with a lot of disappointment, which I wouldn’t like.
RECONNECT TO THE JOY OF IT
The energy of motivation is usually based on the joy and pleasure of the creative process. A lot of mental and physical energy is needed to bring something from an idea into physical form. What part excites you, what parts do you dread?
Focus on the joyous, exciting aspects to reconnect to your motivation. For me, finding ways to explain things so they are easy to understand gives me joy. That’s when I get into the flow. If there are other aspects that are overwhelming. consider, as I am, getting help for the parts that are over your head.
DECIDE WHAT DISCIPLINE YOU NEED
As with most things, there is a certain amount of self-disciple required. if you want to get it done, you’ll have to do the work, it won’t magically appear. Consider the structure you need so the discipline is easy to call upon – that’s when your motivation will flow again.
Do you need to set aside specific time, be in a specific place, have specific tools or people around you? Do you need a large chunk of time, do you need silence, or consultation? As soon as you set up the structure, you will feel the relief wash over you knowing you have a process in place that helps you dive back in. I’m setting up specific writing time and scheduling another writing retreat. It is the only way it will happen.
To regain motivation to start or finish something you’d like to do, consider the things needed to bring it into being. You need to have the right amount of self-care to be physically and emotionally ready. You need to remember why it is important to you and others and reconnect to the joy embedded in it. And you need specific discipline and structure get back on track. These things will work to ramp your motivation back up!
Do you want to explore this for yourself? My Transformational Life Coaching and Therapy are structured to help you find the motivation to follow through with whatever change you seek. Reach out at www.spectrumtranformation.com and use my Free Consultation link to reach me. I’d love to hear from you.
