A funny thing happened when I sat down to write this post. Okay, a funny thing happened the 5 other times I sat down to write this post. I could not get motivated to get to it. So, what gave me strength? Knowing that if I reach just one person, if this post makes a difference for at least one person, it will have been worth it. I faced what Pressfield referred to in The War of Art as the ultimate enemy, the “Resistance.”
After you read a motivational book or get a new idea, or when you get excited during the planning and beginning stages of a new project, you’re ready to go! No one needs to give you that extra push. You have all the motivation you need. You’re fired up! I experienced the feeling of motivation this past summer while working on a grant submission. Once the pandemic hit, I was writing, nose down, laptop keys clicking, 10 – 12 hours a day, seven days a week! Wow! However, after I hit submit on June 12, my motivation ran dry. Believe it or not, my lack of production had nothing to do with the pandemic. I could no longer write or get back to the business of focusing on work things. I had the motivational will, but I couldn’t act upon it. If you are anything like me, there are times when being motivated, just isn’t enough.
If motivation doesn’t matter, then what does? There are days, sometimes weeks, when those huge tasks don’t get done. If you’re honest, it’s typically because you replace one habit with another. In my case, I went from working on my grant hours and days on end to decompressing. I needed that time of nothingness to sit back and reflect on the fact that I had just completed a huge achievement. Eventually, the act of decompressing turned into Netflix binging and surfing the internet. What started with two hours of Netflix binging and surfing the web turned into 4 hours, and so on. Needless to say, I wasn’t getting much done, and the Resistance was winning.
So what am I saying to you? You are what you do, but you shouldn’t set unrealistic expectations for yourself. Motivation can be good if it inspires you to be more productive (as in the case with my getting my grant submitted), but too much of a good thing can lead to you crashing and burning. Motivation can also be your downfall if you’re motivated to do something that is not so productive. Burnout and being unproductive will slow your progress in developing a more productive habit and getting back on track.
What can you do to get back on track?
Start by keeping things simple. By nature, our brains are resistant to change, but we can prepare for what’s coming if we plan ahead.
- If your goal is to get more exercise daily, start by adding a 10-minute walk to your day. If your goal is to read more, pick 10 books, take 1 book at a time and place it in your designated reading spot. Set aside a specified amount of time to read each day. I suggest treating this reading time as an appointment by writing it down in your planner (if you’re old school like me, you still have one of those) or adding it to your calendar. Be sure to keep your appointment!
- Identify your primary goals. Do at least one thing a day to work toward your goals, no matter how small and no matter how much time you spend. Celebrate the small victories. Focus on the marathon and not the sprint.
Find an accountability partner.
- Share your intentions with a friend. Let them know how committed you are to achieving your goals and ensure them that you are committed to helping them achieve their goals as well. Hold each other accountable throughout your journey!
Visualize the outcomes of achieving your goals.
- Visualize what’s waiting for you after you’ve accomplished what you set out to do. Create a vision board. When the motivation starts to wane, you will have a visual representation to re-energize you and to help you re-focus.
- Keep a reflection journal. Include a section to write down how you feel when you complete your goal. Reflect on what you learned. There is wisdom, growth, and a sense of value in accomplishing your goals.
Take time out to celebrate the wins, completing your tasks, no matter how small. Every celebration is a source of motivation to continue moving forward to the next goal.
Celebrating the Small Things, Celebrating You
Carving out time to focus on your own personal goals in the midst of daily tasks and routine activity can be difficult. But there are things you can do to get by and stay on track. First, ask yourself, “How can I choose what I do instead of expecting motivation to carry me through? ” The answer is to keep it simple. Start by setting small goals. No matter how insignificant the goals might seem, they’re significant to you. When you have your goals in sight, make your intentions known by writing them down and sharing them with your accountability partner. Stop and celebrate the wins, pat yourself on the back, and anticipate the next move with excitement!
