During the long holiday and very hot weekend (heat wave, folks), I made a fascinating discovery about motivation and goals. The funny thing was that I hadn’t been searching for this insight, but when the light bulb turned on, I knew I had to share it with you.
Here is the backstory. This past weekend, many people gathered with family and friends to celebrate July 4th, honor the United States’ 250th Anniversary, watch fireworks, or go to BBQs. My husband and I didn’t do those things. Instead, we sought relief from the heat and opted to go somewhere we could submerge ourselves in water. We had several ideas and chose a local outdoor town pool we hadn’t visited in decades.
After securing our passes and paying the entrance fees, we set up our chairs and towels, lathered on sunscreen, and headed into the pool. The water’s temperature was perfect and a welcome relief from the sun and heat.
Now that you have the context, I’ll explain what happened and how you can apply this approach to achieve your goals and sustain your motivation.
The Pool-Inspired Motivation Approach
I love most things water-related! This includes swimming, kayaking, going to the beach, washing dishes, taking showers or baths, looking at water, listening to water sounds, watering plants, and much more.
Swimming is one of my favorite water activities, especially in a pool. There are no fish or other sea creatures to contend with. It’s just pure, clear water to swim in.
I sloshed and swam for hours. I cannot express how much I enjoyed swimming, treading water, and going from one end of the pool to the other. I wasn’t trying to go quickly, but I was aware of reaching the end, touching the ‘goal,’ and turning around to do it again.
Even though reaching the far end of the pool was my goal, the journey was the most joyful part. I swam slowly, luxuriating in the feel of the water, the motion of my arms and legs pulling me forward, and the pleasure of cooling off from the summer heat. I was so happy that I couldn’t stop smiling.
Then it hit me. How often do you get so focused on your goal that you rush through the doing? Instead of enjoying the actions that move you from where you are to where you want to be, you neglect to delight in the process.
While reaching the end of the pool, turning around, and heading for the other end was the goal, it wasn’t what propelled me forward. It was the joy of the doing, the immersive, gleeful swimming experience, that kept me going. Hours went by without my realizing how much time had passed.
The fun of doing (not thinking about swimming, but actually swimming) became a natural motivator, overshadowing the goal.
“How often do you get so focused on your goal that you rush through the doing?”
How Can I Apply This Motivation Approach to My Goals?
What goals do you have for the next month or the upcoming quarter?
Do you want to:
Organize your closets
Downsize or move
Create more flow in your spaces
Design a better schedule
Work on your finances
Release things you don’t use, like, or need
Think about ways to infuse more joy and fun into the organizing process. While it probably won’t involve swimming, one of these options might work, such as:
Develop a more positive mindset. Shift from “I have to do this” to “I get to do this.”
Find an organizing buddy (a friend, family member, or a professional organizer like me) you enjoy working with. My clients often tell me they enjoy the organizing process more when I’m helping them. One client said, “Linda’s joy and energy are so infectious. Who knew organizing could be so fun?!!!”
Activate your senses. Being more mindful and aware of what you are doing can make the experience more pleasurable. Feel the objects as you edit them. Make your environment more uplifting by playing your favorite music, opening a window to let in fresh air, or lighting a scented candle.
Motivation often comes after action. Making actions more enjoyable will naturally boost motivation. ‘Swim’ your way forward.
Fun Is the Natural Motivator
Goals can feel achievable or lofty. Either way, you can get stuck, deflated, or demotivated. However, when you make the journey more enjoyable, motivation will grow exponentially.
What nurtures your motivation? How could you benefit from the pool-inspired motivational approach? Which goals could you apply this strategy to? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation.
How Can I Help?
Do you feel overwhelmed, disorganized, and stuck? Are you struggling with a lack of motivation? I’m here to help! You don’t have to do this alone. Virtual organizing is an extraordinary path forward – Local feel with a global reach.
Let’s connect! I’m easy to reach.
Fill out the Contact Form
Email me at linda@ohsoorganized.com or
Call 914-271-5673
Getting organized, staying motivated, and reaching your goals are possible, especially with support.
