Motivation is a funny thing. Sometimes it's just there with enough force and energy to help us easily activate and accomplish "x." When that happens, the doing almost seems effortless because we aren't fighting or negotiating with ourselves. The flip side is when we seem devoid of motivation. Making a decision, let alone actually doing something, seems out of reach and maybe even impossible. What have you noticed lately? Are you poised and ready or are you stuck and overwhelmed? Perhaps the specific type of action, project, or task influences your motivation level.

We are different and behave differently according to the circumstances. There are certain conditions that can nurture or sabotage our motivation. Are you familiar with these?

Sabotages Motivation

Distracted Mind

Distractions are part of human existence. Yet in today's world of being constantly connected and interrupted by our digital devices, those distractions have intensified. It's hard to complete a thought or task without interruptions. This can negatively affect motivation because it makes it that much harder to focus and complete what we're doing. We're only partially present. Taking some intentional digital blackout breaks, doing some deep breathing, or taking a walk in nature can shift the cycle and allow your mind and body to reconnect and release all the distractions.

Overcommitting

Is your calendar so full that every waking minute is scheduled? Do you find yourself overcommitting and under-delivering? There's nothing wrong with having a full plate. Yet if you are finding that you're missing deadlines, not getting enough sleep, or are procrastinating, all of these things can sabotage your motivation. Take a step back. What can you release from the "yes" pile? Test it out and observe what happens with motivation.

Lacking Sleep

Are you burning the candle at both ends? Exhaustion is a motivation killer. When we're operating from an exhausted state, everything takes longer, we make poor decisions, and our motivation is sluggish or even non-existent. Take a look at your sleep habits. Figure out how much sleep you need to best function. Experiment with some new sleep routines and find what works for you. As your mind and body get more sleep, notice the positive effect on your motivation.

“There are certain conditions that can nurture or sabotage our motivation.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVOP™

Nurtures Motivation

Lightening Load

When we find the right personal balance of commitments, we have the energy and motivation to handle them. When we focus on saying "yes" to the projects, people, and causes that are most meaningful, motivation just flows.

Creating White Space

Free time doesn't just happen. To create that white space in our days, we need to carve it out intentionally. It can be used for doing or not doing. Having some uninterrupted, unscheduled time without any commitments other than to you is an essential motivation booster. How much white space you need or want on a given day will vary. My needs have shifted at different points in my life. These days I crave a daily dose that allows me the quiet and space to exercise, walk and practice mindfulness meditation. I wake early to begin my day with some calm and nurturing. Caring for myself gives me the energy and motivation to care for others.

Connecting With Loved Ones

Spending time with family and friends, whether that's in small doses (like taking a walk) or for an extended time (like vacationing), helps us to relax, play, and unwind. We share stories, challenges, and successes. We talk about the small and big things in life. Those connections make us part of something so that we're not alone in this world. They ground, inspire, and motivate us.

If you are motivationally challenged or know someone who is, do any of these concepts resonate with you?  Are you a motivation nurturer or a sabotager? What else have you observed? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Come join the conversation!

Have you ever lacked motivation and wondered how to activate? If so, you’re not alone. In fact, this is a normal part of the being human. Would you like to discover some wonderful strategies for getting motivated, especially when you’re in a slump? I was curious about the ways my colleagues’ handled their motivation challenges, so I reached out to this generous group – Sarah Soboleski, Diane Quintana, Jill Robson, Autumn Leopold, Ingrid Jansen, Deb Lee, and Seana Turner. I asked them,“What is the one thing you do to get motivated when you’re in a slump?” Their responses are personal, intelligent, and inspiring. My deepest gratitude goes to each of them for sharing their wisdom with us.

What is the one thing you do to get motivated when you’re in a slump? . . .

Motivation From Playing

“When I’m in a rut I think it’s helpful to play! I’m a mother to a 4-year-old little boy so it’s easy for me to take a break and connect with my playful side when I’m in a slump. I love reading a silly book, coloring a picture, or squishing some play-doh with him. These are all great ways to give my brain a rest, remember not to take things too seriously and get back to basics. When I tap into my inner child I see things through a different lens and am better able to refocus my efforts. Play jumpstarts my productivity!” 

Sarah Soboleski, LCSW –Professional Organizer, Speaker & Blogger

Motivation From Envisioning

“When I need to get motivated to begin a project I start by envisioning the result. Then I make a master list of everything that must be done to bring this project to a successful conclusion. I take the time to create a timeline, scheduling steps to take into my calendar. Then I focus on the end result. Knowing that each small incremental step brings me closer to finishing my project helps keep me motivated.”

Diane N. Quintana – Certified Professional Organizer in Chronic Disorganization, Author & Speaker 

Motivation From Doing Mundane Tasks

“I take a step back, sometimes a BIG step back when I am lacking motivation. Nothing is worse than trying to flog a dead horse; the ideas will not come no matter how much you will them to. I always get the best ideas and flow of inspiration when I am doing the mundane, things that are rote, procedures done by muscle memory allowing the inactive parts of your mind to reboot themselves.”

Jill Robson – Professional Home Organizer & Blogger

Motivation From Brainstorming 

"When I'm in a slump I have to disconnect. I have to let go of whatever I have been working on and get out of my element. Whether that means take a few days off and work on a home project, or take a week off and go on an RV trip with my family. I love to brainstorm creative ideas with my peers! A brainstorming weekend in the mountains goes a long way for your soul! Sometimes switching around my normal routine can shake things up and as well." 

Autumn Leopold – Professional Organizer & Blogger

Motivation From List Making

“The one thing I do to get into action is to start making a LIST of what needs to be done. People get in a slump because the task at hand seems too big or too hard to do. Creating a list and breaking up the project in small chunks helps me to get an overview of the task and also to decide what needs to be done first to make a start. Also getting some extra sleep helps to get more energy to tackle the project you have in mind!”

Ingrid Jansen – Professional Organizer 

Motivation From Talking

“I talk to myself. Yes, this is a real conversation about how AMAZING I will feel when I follow through on a goal or habit. That feeling is ridiculously wonderful and gives me a huge boost. So, the short, but serious talks with myself work like a charm. I sometimes experience the real feeling of just by visualizing.” 

Deb Lee, CPO® – Digital Business Coach, Productivity Consultant, Speaker & Appaholic

Motivation From Disconnecting

“Motivation frequently comes in spurts. Sometimes it appears as a gift, while other times it burrows like hidden treasure. For me, the best solution to a slump is to disconnect completely from the pressure to perform. This can be as simple as taking a day off to sit on the beach, or as significant as suspending an activity for a month to work on something else. Redirecting my focus awakens my brain to a new challenge while replenishing those parts of my mind and spirit that have run dry.”

Seana Turner – Professional Organizer, Blogger & Speaker

Getting motivated, especially when you’re in a slump is possible. With the creative ideas that my colleagues shared, you now have some new strategies to experiment with. Whether you choose to play, disconnect, brainstorm or make lists, renewed motivation is possible for you. For me, when my motivation has waned, I will often force myself to get going anyway. If that doesn’t work, I’ll give myself a self-care break. That can include getting some fresh air, taking a walk by the river, running an errand, having a snack break, or getting some sleep and restarting the next day. 

Which ideas resonate with you? How do you get motivated when you’re in a slump? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Come join the conversation!

Recently, one of my friends used a term I’d never heard before which caused me to think about our unique sources of motivation. While driving together and seeing a dumpster in one of the neighbor’s driveways, she exclaimed, “I have dumpster envy!” I’d never heard that expression before so I asked her to explain what she meant.

My friend shared that when she sees dumpsters, she becomes envious of the organizing and editing work other people are actively doing. It makes her think about her own projects she’d like to be tackling, like emptying the attic. This increases her desire to move forward too.

While I don’t have “dumpster envy,” I have experienced similar situations. When I see renovations going on or clients working hard on their organizing goals, I feel inspired and motivated to do more too. Have you experienced this?

The dumpster is a strong visual. It’s a huge container that gets filled with things that no longer are needed. Filling the container means that areas inside the home are emptying and getting lighter. The dumpster becomes the container for letting go.

Seeing the dumpster not only represented action, but it represented the hope of what action and letting go can bring. For you, maybe it’s not a dumpster, but another object. What will inspire or motivate you to take action with the clutter that's weighing you down in your life?

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Come join the conversation!

You know what happens when you go, go, go? You get burned out, out, out. So I’d say that my motivation to slow down is pretty darn high right now because I’ve been on the go for a long stretch…a very long stretch.

Here’s the good news. I’ve planned some time off to slow my motor. Yet, as I write this in advance of our mini vacation so that it will post while I’m off the grid, I’m still in the go, go, go mode. As a matter of fact, after I write this post I need to write my pack list and pack. And before I wrote this I had a client that needed organizing help, an interview to finish writing, bills to pay, errands to run, emails to respond to, and a rental car to return. I bet this sounds all too familiar, right?

I won’t tell you what time it is, but let’s just say, it’s late. I’ve had a bit too much caffeine today. That in combination with the adrenaline pumping will give me enough energy to sprint some more. Then I can shift into low gear. I’m looking forward to changing my pace.

The point is that I am highly motivated to slow down. I’ve been pushing and doing and doing some more. It’s time for a break. It’s time to not do. It’s time to enjoy our family and suspend all agendas and to do lists.

I’m looking forward to our road trip to the mountains where we’ll meet up with our daughters. By the time you read this, I will have had days of unwinding, decompressing, relaxing, and unplugging. I might be unrecognizable. Let’s hope so. What will relaxed look and feel like?

How about you? Will you take off time this summer? What motivates you to change your pace? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Come join the conversation.