It can feel challenging to get motivated when you’re experiencing a transition and even when you’re not. Overwhelm, or exhaustion can take over. When it does, do you find it difficult to access your motivation for things like organizing your home, making plans, writing a blog post, reaching out for help, or handling routine tasks? Does that sound familiar? No one is motivated 100% of the time. But that can be problematic when it’s getting in the way of focusing on things you want and need to do.
There are many ways to get motivated, but for today, I’ll keep it simple with this one helpful secret so as not to add to your overwhelm. OK. It’s no longer a secret because I’m about to share it with you.
I came across a quote from writer Anne Lamott relevant to the how to get motivated challenge many of you encounter. Anne said . . .
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”
Let’s take a breath and digest this. When stressed, overwhelmed, and fuzzy-brained, instead of taking a beneficial break, we often do the opposite and continue pushing beyond depleted. How does that work for you?
I’ve noticed that while it seems like a good idea at the time to “just finish one more thing” or “push past my fatigue,” that’s a much more challenging way to go. When you overextend regularly, you can experience the law of diminishing returns, which works against being motivated, productive, and happy.
Instead, just stop. Yes. I said stop. As Anne suggests, things (and you) will work better when you unplug for even a few minutes.
What could this mean for you? What would a brief stop to unplug look like? It’s worth coming up with your own list of possibilities. You can pull it out of your back pocket when your motivation diminishes.
My unplugging to get motivated list includes:
Dipping my toes in the Croton River
Listening to the trickling water sounds in our birdbath fountain
Watching the leaves ‘wave’ as the wind blows
Taking a walk in the woods
Sipping leisurely a glass of iced tea
Lying down with my shoes off and eyes closed for 15 minutes
Looking at the gorgeous colors of the beautiful summer blooms
Stepping away from my tech tools
Meditating
Sweeping the front path
Sitting outside while eating a slice of juicy watermelon
Doing some slow, intentional breathing
After engaging in one of these nurturing, restorative activities for a brief time, I feel energized and ready for the next. And for a super dose of motivation, try grouping several of your preferred items back-to-back. Before writing this post, I walked in the woods, dipped my toes in the river, and meditated. Afterward, I was motivated, rested, and ready to write.
Are you struggling with getting motivated? What would unplugging for a few minutes or more do for you? What would that look like? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation.
