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We all have times when we feel like this. Perhaps you’ve started a task full of enthusiasm but have run out of steam. Maybe you just can’t muster up the energy to begin.
The Oxford English Dictionary defines motivation as “a reason or reasons for acting or behaving in a particular way” and “desire or willingness to do something; enthusiasm”.
Sometimes though, your enthusiasm may well point you more towards hot chocolate and Netflix rather than working on your project!
Thankfully, help is at hand!
I’ve pulled together this handy infographic for you. Pin it to your Pinterest board or save it somewhere now to refer to when your motivation levels are a little bit off kilter!
Other tips you could try include –
Celebrate Small Wins and Victories
Every time you achieve something, no matter how small, write it down! You could also promise yourself a treat when you meet a small target. (Try and make sure it’s a healthy one!)
Find Inspirational Quotes
Look for quotes that resonate with you. Write them on post-it notes or set them as your wallpaper on your phone or tablet. Here are a few of my favourites to get you started.
[tweetshare tweet=”The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing ― Walt Disney” username=”alisonw30″]
Lack of direction, not lack of time, is the problem. We all have twenty-four hour days ― Zig Ziglar
[tweetshare tweet=”The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones ― Confucius” username=”alisonw30″]
Be not afraid of growing slowly; be afraid only of standing still ― Chinese proverb
You could also check out these two previous posts which are packed full of inspirational quotes.
Focus on the task itself rather than worrying about achieving the goal. Try to find some part of the task that gives you pleasure.
See Life As A Series Of Experiments
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I recently came across Tim Ferriss and his idea of seeing life as a series of two-week experiments and six-week projects.
The two-week experiment idea particularly resonates with me. It builds on the idea of goal setting and splitting goals down into more manageable ‘bite-sized’ chunks as mentioned earlier.
For example, say your aim is to lose weight. Then you could set up a two-week experiment of exercising four times a week.
You can then review how it has gone at the end of the two-week period. Then you can decide if you want to tweak, carry on with or abandon the experiment to try something different.
Lower Your Expectations
Stop beating yourself up about not feeling motivated. You may simply need to take a little bit of time out. Try to accept this and not force the issue. Be gentle and compassionate with yourself.
Whilst we are talking about expectations, don’t try to be ‘perfect’ first time around. Your first attempt doesn’t have to be the final version.
I hope that you’ve found these tips useful. I’d love to hear about any other tactics you use when you have no motivation.
I can’t leave you without mentioning a couple of my favourite books on the subject of motivation!
(If your lack of motivation persists, or if you feel there could be an underlying medical reason such as depression, please make sure you consult your doctor).
How do you keep your motivation up? Let me know in the comments below.
Awesome blog post! Thanks for providing lots of helpful tips. I love positive quotes. I search Pinterest all rhe time to find the perfect quote for my journal pages. Peace and blessings!
Love this, recently actually I’ve really been struggling with staying motivated, so this came at a good time! I always like to set goals, I have to write things down and it makes me feel so happy when I can tick them off, so that’s when I can have my lil celebration! I also sometimes instead of writing a to-do list, I write things down as I achieve them like you said, and it’s a really positive thing to do!
Hi Shaun, I initially read about it in this post which led me to the monkey mind podcast. https://medium.com/@suprada/2-week-experiments-and-6-week-projects-8c29a5fbb310 In the name of research I’ve listened to most of the podcast and he talks briefly about it at about 43 minutes in! I’m going to listen to the rest tomorrow to see if he talks about it more 🙂
Ahh I really enjoy this! I love looking up quotes as I think it really helps me, and often times I have to lower my expectations 😅🤣 often times I have such high standards though so it really is my fault! Thank you for sharing Alison!!
I absolutely love time blocking (setting timer for so many minutes)! It pushes me into my creative mode when I’m not feeling motivated. Meditation also helps me to, I should probably do it more often, haha! Love this!
Thanks Loneisha, glad you enjoyed the post. I do time block but I need to use my timer more as sometimes I get distracted and then overrun! Maybe a timer would help me focus more x
Love finding motivational quotes! I have journals full of my favorite quotes and I love to search for more on Pinterest. Great post, I love these ideas!
Marie
Absolutely love this! Such brilliant ideas. Thanks for sharing 🦉
Alison
Thanks Marie 😘
Latisha
Awesome blog post! Thanks for providing lots of helpful tips. I love positive quotes. I search Pinterest all rhe time to find the perfect quote for my journal pages. Peace and blessings!
Alison
Me too Latisha, can’t beat a good quote!
Chloe Chats
Love this, recently actually I’ve really been struggling with staying motivated, so this came at a good time! I always like to set goals, I have to write things down and it makes me feel so happy when I can tick them off, so that’s when I can have my lil celebration! I also sometimes instead of writing a to-do list, I write things down as I achieve them like you said, and it’s a really positive thing to do!
Chloe xx
http://www.chloechats.com
Alison
Thanks Chloe, I love that feeling of ticking things off the list!! 🙂
Shaun Cassidy
Thanks Alison
Love a Tim Ferris reference – where did you see the 2 week experiment / 6 week project? Would love to read more on that.
Will also put Pat Divilly on my reading list for 2019
Hope you’re well
Shaun
Alison
Hi Shaun, I initially read about it in this post which led me to the monkey mind podcast. https://medium.com/@suprada/2-week-experiments-and-6-week-projects-8c29a5fbb310 In the name of research I’ve listened to most of the podcast and he talks briefly about it at about 43 minutes in! I’m going to listen to the rest tomorrow to see if he talks about it more 🙂
Geraldine
Ahh I really enjoy this! I love looking up quotes as I think it really helps me, and often times I have to lower my expectations 😅🤣 often times I have such high standards though so it really is my fault! Thank you for sharing Alison!!
Alison
Thanks Geraldine, I’m the same, I set myself very high standards!
Loniesha
I absolutely love time blocking (setting timer for so many minutes)! It pushes me into my creative mode when I’m not feeling motivated. Meditation also helps me to, I should probably do it more often, haha! Love this!
Alison
Thanks Loneisha, glad you enjoyed the post. I do time block but I need to use my timer more as sometimes I get distracted and then overrun! Maybe a timer would help me focus more x
Latoyah Egerton
Great post! I definitely needed to read this today. Thank you so much for sharing. Celebrating small wins is something I need to do more!
Alison
Thanks for stopping by, I’m glad you enjoyed the post. I’ve found getting into the habit of recording my small wins really helpful 🙂
Heather
Love finding motivational quotes! I have journals full of my favorite quotes and I love to search for more on Pinterest. Great post, I love these ideas!
Alison
Thanks Heather, I love quotes too (as you can probably tell 😀)
Whitney
Love,Love, LOVE this post!!! especially those inspirational motivational quotes! going to have to write those down somewhere!!!
Alison
Thanks Whitney, can’t beat a good quote!