Three Tips to Get Motivated
Sometimes I need to reach out to get started.
Sometimes, I need to and give myself permission to take my time.
My site has an About page. Of course, it does. All sites do. I knew I had to write one even though I had absolutely no desire to do so.
Writing that page was kinda like writing my Match.com profile some moons ago. I knew I had to do it. I didn’t want to do it. Because thinking about doing it got my inner critic started:
“Who do you think you are?
“Who the hell wants to know about you?”
“Isn't a site about what you do enough?”
I tactfully translated these shame-inducing queries into innocent-sounding questions for my site designer. I then attempted to get out of the dreaded task by assuring her that since she was so dang good at her job, an about page was redundant! The site was perfect as is!
She listened. And then explained SEO and other fascinating back-end realities. This caused my eyes to glaze over while I thought about how happy I was I had hired a professional. One who graciously held me accountable.
She repeated, “You just need an About page,” I acquiesced. If I could do it for Match.com I could do it here.
When there is something you don’t want to do, but you need to do it, find the right person to motivate you.
Look, I know that’s not deep wisdom. It is a good reminder. You have people in your life who have the professional experience to tell you what needs to get done. Maybe they will even work with you on how to do so. (We set up Trello and I do love those little cards).
Talking it out with her motivated me to get out of my head. We set a deadline and I got started.
But then, I went right back to that page and stared at those words, “Write here…”
Now what?
2. Use a prompt that sparks you.
Writing prompts are a thing. I never knew that until I started learning about writing. Well actually, I knew it in a different context. Most Sundays I have to write a sermon prompted by the Holy Spirit. Meaning, I read assigned scripture which prompts me to think, remember or get curious about something. Hopefully something worth sharing.
I was ready to write but had no motivation for the content. What “about me” did I want to share? What could I do to at least get started?
I looked for a prompt.
This line from a beloved poem is one I have returned to when I feel stuck. What about you?
Is there a prompt, a place, a picture that sparks you to envision and dream? Use it!
So let’s say you’ve tried #1 and #2 and yet…you are still not feeling it.
The proposal, project, task, phone call, closet, whatever your “it” is, you just don’t have the energy, desire or incentive to take action and move forward. What next?
Embrace where you are and wait. Just wait.
3. You are a human being. You do not always have to be doing.
For me, this is the hardest yet most rewarding. I like to feel like I am accomplishing. I like Trello because it is an online to-do list that I can configure into a myriad of pretty patterns that include a “Done” category.
My inner critic loves the “Done” category. But her tasks are never, ever done! She is not a big believer in time spent waiting, noticing, and reflecting. But I am so I make time for time without my to-do lists.
The work of being is always because it is the work of becoming. Always doing distracts me from that necessity.
The motivation I need may require silence and space to surface. To allow for that is a practice of self-compassion. A practice that cultivates patience with myself which strengthens my ability to be patient, in general. And these days, that is a good thing.
I know getting motivated and getting started is not always as easy as one, two, three. I write these posts for my own encouragement too! We need encouragement to reach out for support and accountability, for prompting our curiosity, and for taking time to pay attention and care for inner world.
Yes, you can.
