ISO - some motivation

[melchpeppi]

Please! By the bucketload! I need help today to get moving and off the computer and into my workroom.

Im being such a lazy :meuh

[Rinelle]

When I'm lacking motivation, I set the timer for 5 minutes, and say I just have to do five minutes. By then, I've either mostly completed the job, or I've gotten into it enough to want to keep going.

[melchpeppi]

Can I do that in 5 mins? hahaha - actually, I think that is what I need to do, once Im actually in there I love it...

[Rinelle]

Yep, I often find that once I start I don't want to stop in 5 minutes! But giving myself permission to stop makes it easier to get up from the computer!

[emd]

I also sometimes write myself a timetable for the day - so by xpm I have to be off the computer and started on task blah.

[mama_bel]

Both good ideas! I use the to-do or goals list a lot. And don't get on the 'puter till I've done x, y, and z. Prioritise. Haven't been so good at it since IP came back (see my post count, eek)... But things are piling up so I'll be back on track this coming week!

The other day I had all these clothes to put away on my bed, winter stuff to store, summer stuff to find. I had them there on the end of the bed (lucky I'm short) all week. When I finally tackled the job it took a whole.... 12 mins! LOL

[Harmony]

Yeah, things usually take a lot less time than you think!

I've been accused of laziness before and I just don't believe it's true. I'll admit to being disorganised, unmotivated, overwhelmed and exhausted, a lot of the time all at once, but I am not lazy. Just wanted to say that as I don't think negative self-labeling is very helpful, having a clear understanding of exactly what's going on in your mind and body can be very empowering. 'Laziness' is just a blaming, negative label. Those other things are problems that can be solved (and I think they are all related, with overwhelm and exhaustion causing disorganisation and lack of motivation).

Hmm, I feel a thread about negative self-talk coming on :)

[cherish]

Harmony- I like what you said! I've also been called lazy- but I know I'm not.. but I do struggle sometimes to get motivation!

Sometimes you just need a day at the computer darling!! I'll give you permission!

[ali_celt]

Oh motivation is stupid. The strangest things will inspire me to START doing something that I don't want to stop - but then I have noticed a distinct pattern around that lately - if I am making something as a surprise for someone else I'm there with bells on Throw myself headfirst into it, can't wait to get it done, stay up all night kinda thing.

If I'm making something for someone who's been bugging me about it for ages, that kinda turns off the motivation. And if it's something for me, I'm frequently motivated to START it, but by the time I'm a quarter of the way in, the motivation gets lost in a whole pile of other things and then I need to stop nagging MYSELF to finish it or it will go onto the "end of the known universe has come and now I'm bored" pile.

Hrm.

[Snoozie]

If you find some can you send a little my way? lol I am sitting here when I'm supposed to be cleaning my house for TMX demo and I have absolutely ZERO motivation! Kids are both at daycare and I just want to collapse on the couch watching bad soapies. lol

Has to be done... have to clean the kitchen and mop and vacuum and ...!!! lol

Eating would be good too hey. lol

Hope your head is better xxx

[Anju]

The only thing that motivates me to get stuff done is music. Chuck on your fave boppy sing-along tunes and power on through.

[melchpeppi]

`EEE - that is what Taj has to say about this LOL!

I just discovered yesterday that I could crank my iPhone! I need to get speakers or something for it but it was alot easier to get working with music, and the 5min trick worked too :D

Until I was laid out with my very own first ever migraine :(. Im still smashed but I think Im coming good now, I can actually stand noise and light.

Anyway, back on topic Mel :P

[emd]

Sometimes things don't get done not because of lack of motivation or because of laziness, but because there's too many tasks to do.

Prioritising helps - I use a page with four squares in it: Urgent & Important, Not Urgent & Important, Urgent & Not Important, Not Urgent & Not Important. If I work my way around the page clockwise, all the most important tasks get done first - and it doesn't feel so bad letting some things slide if you know you've done the most important work.

I'm making a conscious effort with my business to identify the things I am naturally motivated to do. I'm good at lots of different things, but some tasks cannot be done by anyone other than me, and some tasks don't get done because I don't enjoy them (even if I am good at them). So the tasks that would never get done if I had to do it myself, will be the ones I outsource.

The same can be applied to home - if you hate scrubbing the bathroom floor and it never gets done, stop beating yourself up about it. Outsource it to an older kid who wants pocket money, or a cleaning fairy, or trade with your partner for a job he dislikes but you don't mind doing.

[melchpeppi]

Oh I LOVE that!