The dreaded “D” word, relax, I’m not referring to “divorce”, I’m referring to “demotivation”.
Something that’s been plaguing me the whole week.
I have a mountain of work to catch up on, 3 half written blog posts saved on my desktop, and I have 2 DIY projects that keep being pushed back. I struggle to keep focus and my mind shifts to something new every ten minutes. It doesn’t matter how many cups of tea, Krispy Kreme’s or Chocolate eggs I devour, nothing seems to give me the energy to snap out of it. (Yes I know those are all the wrong foods). Every day that passes, the more work builds up, its like a black cloud hanging over my head.
I am a very impulsive person. When I do something it must come to me in the moment, naturally. If I have to sit down and think too hard about things, I lose interest quite quickly and get frustrated. That’s how I have been feeling this whole week, nothing is “flowing”.
Blame it on the flu? Perhaps, but I have seem to have lost my mojo….temporarily of course.
Does anyone else find they go through highs and lows in terms of productivity? I know it’s related to motivation, but I find one week I can accomplish 20 thousand different things and then the next I pretty much just need to take a step back to chill.
Motivation is central to creativity, productivity, and happiness, how do I get it back?
Typically, when I fall into a slump, it’s because I have too much going on in my life. I try and take on too much, once I’ve accomplished all of those things I fall into a slump, it’s sucked my energy and motivation.
The first thing I’ve recognized is You have to choose one goal, for now. For me, it’s one blog post. While my 3 other half finished posts are more relevant to parenting, this blog post is most relevant to ME, right now. So here I am, focusing on one goal, completely. You can always do your other goals when you’ve accomplished your one goal. Shut off all distractions, for me that’s switching off my phone and internet.
Go back to writing your goals down. Select one achievable goal for each day and write it down in big letters. Keep it in front of you. You know for that day you won’t stop until you achieve that one thing.
Realize that there is a natural ebb and flow. You cannot remain motivated 100% of the time, every single day (which is why I always tend to maximize on those motivated spells and knock out so many goals). It comes and goes, and goes and comes back again. I know that if I’m having a down week, it doesn’t mean I’m in a “deep dark hole” screaming for help, I know its natural, and it will come back.
Whatever you do, don’t give up. Stick with your goals. Even if you don’t feel the least bit motivated today. The sun will rise tomorrow. Your goals, your motivation is a long journey, with bumps in the road. Use those bumps to rest, reflect and recharge. Listen to your body. You will get there.
Squash all your negative thoughts. Self-talk is critical to success (I don’t mean you have to stare at yourself in the mirror reciting mantras all morning, though for some people that does work. I mean in your thoughts, or like I’m doing by writing out this post.
Lastly I would say is to communicate it. No one will judge you. Tell those close to you how you are feeling. Let them support you. Ask them for their input or take on an accountability partner. In every big goal in your life you always need a team to support you. Surround yourself with positive people. The saying “Your tribe is your vibe” is so very true in more ways than one. You feed off peoples energy around you, so make sure you choose well.
So there we have it. Here’s my one small goal. I completed a blog post, Hip Hip Hoorah, and I think I just may have “self-talked” my way out of my slump. Onto brighter weeks!
