In this #StayAtHome order, it can be difficult to find the drive to get things done. For many, the idea of being forced to stay at home, came with the fantasy that so much would get done. Yet, many are finding it difficult to draw up the energy to set about on the tasks they always dreamed of.
Here are a few ideas to boost your #motivation:
First, what’s inhibiting motivation? Notice and Name it
What is the feeling? Is it a sinking dread? An itchy resistance? A repellent reaction from an area waiting to be tackled? The energetic self that can master anything it sets its mind to is a motivated mind. Getting back into that space requires stepping aside from the negative thought associated with the task. Notice the feeling and name it.
Thoughts and resistances are just old habits that want to keep the self protected from starting a task. It is a critical voice to keep the ego from the edge of the comfort zone of known, ease, and pleasure. Let’s not allow the critic to rule.
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; . . . who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.” — Theodore Roosevelt
Get in the arena with the following tips:
Imagine what you want and why
Get a clear image of what you want in your mind with as many details as possible. What will this bring you once you have accomplished it? Why is this important to you? The clearer you can see the completion, the more powerful it can help you to grasp why it is important. Spend time imagining what you want every day to keep a drive and momentum. Journal, sketch, mind-map the project to get the end-result exactly as you want it. Start with the end in mind.
Meet it with a Mantra (Mantra: A phrase or slogan to remind self of intention)
What we tell ourselves makes up what we think, say and do. Re-align with a phrase that speaks strongly to you. My friend Lisa’s mantra, with Raining Glitter Coaching is, “I can do hard things.” Others I have heard are, “I can do all things with great love.” “Just do it” “My time is now.” A powerful phrase takes negative emotion out of a task and re-aligns thoughts with the problem-solving part of the brain. A mantra also gives permission to move ahead and not focus on making mistakes. What phrase do you choose?
Decide it. Schedule it. Chunk it.
Decide it with a declaration. Post-it on the bathroom mirror. Phone a friend and tell of your plan. Any way you choose, get it out of your head and into the world. Make it a tangible and visible choice.
I heard once, “Work how you can, not how you can’t.” How do you work best? Pick the time of day when you feel the most energetic to tackle the most challenging tasks. Next, pick the environment you like best: Music or Silence? Long stretches or short bursts? Design your ideal to support your best well-being.
Best chunking comes with breaking up a task into a schedule. This is a way to break out a project over several days with manageable chunks every day. A project is best approached with unconditional love and non-judgement with each step. Make room for unexpected things that pop up by moving a “to do” forward. A job is much more manageable with kindness, support and encouragement. Thoughts such as, “I will figure it out.” “I am capable, competent and whole to meet this challenge.” “What support do I need to ask for to really succeed in this project?”
Need more information on strategic planning? Check out the web. Here’s one example of SMART goal planning.
Remember, the only failure is not starting. 5 minutes a day is better than no minutes. Remember what you really want and why.
Having a partner is not cheating. Who can you ask to align with?
Celebration is required at each step of the way as well as when it is done. Even if it is a pat on the back with a cup of tea, acknowledge what you accomplish. This prevents burn out in the process. In this time of being home, we can all create ways of support, inspiration, and vitality. This is also the heart of motivation.
“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” — Oprah Winfrey
Namaste,
Laura