This summer, I tried something new. I started taking a Zumba class at a local venue. While I’ve only had a few classes so far, I’m enjoying the experience and the exercise. As often happens, whatever topic I write about for a particular month, ends up catching my attention even more than usual. This month I’m writing about motivation. As I thought about my Zumba experience, I made some motivation connections. Perhaps some of these ideas will help you as you search for motivation to try something new, approach something challenging, or stretch towards your organizing goals.

1. Seed Planting – Long before I stepped into my first Zumba class, the idea for doing something new, fun, and physical kept entering my thoughts. I heard friends talking about their positive Zumba experiences. I saw advertisements for Zumba classes. I thought about previous dance and exercise experiences that I loved. The process of planting seeds or thoughts were part of what ultimately enabled me to get motivated enough to take action. These ponderings were essential to moving ahead.

2. Partnering – When I mentioned my desire to take a fun class to one of my friends, she expressed an interest in joining me. At that point, we didn’t know what the class would be. When I picked Zumba class, I invited her to come along. Knowing that she’d be there motivated me get the first class. Accountability can be a motivation key.

3. Goal Setting – Dance has always been a joyful part of my life. Most types of dance require stamina. Zumba is no different. It is a one-hour dance fitness class of constant movement done to upbeat music like salsa and hip-hop. My biggest concern for the first class was if I’d have the stamina to keep going. To stay motivated and standing, my goal was, “Just one more, Linda.” It worked. I didn’t fall over. I didn’t pass out. I was still standing at the end of the class. I came back the following week for more. It was still challenging, but a bit easier than the previous week.

4. Committing – This particular class had several payment options. You could either drop-in unannounced and pay per class, or you could sign-up for a series and get a discounted rate. Since I wasn’t sure if I’d like Zumba or if I’d have the stamina, I opted to “drop-in” on the first class. At the end, I committed to continuing. Knowing that I purchased a class series and have paid for it, adds another dimension to motivation. I don’t want to waste my investment. My financial commitment will motivate me to continue.

5. Satisfying – By the end of class, even though you sweat like there’s no tomorrow and are hot as anything, you also feel really good. It feels wonderful to be moving, get the blood flowing, and know that you are doing something healthy and fun for your mind and body. This satisfaction and “feel good” plays a big role in remaining motivated.

It was time to try something new and fun. Who knew that motivation was key and continues to be essential in my Zumba class journey? How about you? How does motivation show up for you? Come join the conversation.

We think a lot about what motivates us to take action and move towards our goals. What about the things that de-motivate and prevent us from going forward? What gets in motivation’s way? By taking a look from this challenged perspective, we can begin to identify and remove some of our obstacles. As you read through, make a note of any that resonate with you. Are there any other motivation challenges that you've experienced? I'd love to know more. Please add to the conversation.

10 Motivation Challenges & Fixes

1. Abundant Choices – When the options are too plentiful, it can overwhelm us to inaction. The thought of moving ahead becomes exhausting.

Tip: Narrow your decisions to just two or three options. Pretend you have blinders on and ignore the extraneous input. If you’re still stuck, ask a friend to be a sounding board.

2. Fear of Failure – Perfectionism or being afraid of not doing something correctly, can stop us from moving forward.

Tip: Perfectionism isn’t possible. Failing is an essential part of the journey. We learn by trial and error. As Thomas Edison said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Test out this alternate perspective.

3. Fear of Success – Low self-esteem can compromise your view of success. You might doubt that success is possible, and be frightened to attain it.

Tip: Look to the past. Acknowledge your small and large successes. Look to the present. Watch for current successes. Practice noticing and appreciating your wins. Build off those to reduce your fear and boost your confidence.

4. Lack of Clarity – When we don’t know what step is next or why we’re doing what we’re doing, we can easily get de-motivated.

Tip: Take a step back. Set aside time to revisit your projects, goals and values. Perhaps there has been a shift in the parameters and it’s time to make adjustments.

5. Exhaustion – Sleep is essential for proper brain and body function. When we’re exhausted, it’s difficult to remain motivated.

Tip: Review your current sleep patterns and needs. Consider if lack of sleep is contributing to you feeling unmotivated. Make the necessary adjustments.

6. Comparison  – Focusing on how we do or don’t measure up next to our colleagues, family, friends, neighbors or whoever, can only bring on unproductive thinking. This is a sure fire formula for de-motivating ourselves.

Tip: Forget about the “grass is greener” concept. It never is. Instead, be grateful. Focus on your gifts, successes, dreams, and desires. Build a life that works for you.

7. Excuses – We all make them. They are the negative messages we repeatedly tell ourselves, which prevent us from doing. We say things like, “I’d like to do ‘x,’ but I’m too tired or busy or not smart enough or…”

Tip: Set the internal alert. Become aware of the excuses that are not useful, real, or true. Begin challenging them when they appear. Reframe the dialogue to the positive.

8. Drudgery – Routines can be useful, but they can also become so mundane that we are de-motivated to maintain them.

Tip: If you are feeling bored, find ways to add the fun factor back into the equation. Would playing upbeat music, introducing pleasing colors, or bringing enervating scents into your environment make a difference? How about a change in the pace or sequence of the routine?

9. Patience – We expect so much of ourselves and want instant results. When things aren’t happening as fast as we think they should be, it can de-motivate us to continue.

Tip: Striving to achieve, become, and do takes time. Extend yourself the gift of patience.

10. Distractions – When your attention is pulled in too many directions, we can lose focus and motivation for working on what’s most important.

Tip: Pay attention to the “distraction-makers.” Are you being interrupted by people, sounds, emails, and phone calls? How can you minimize the distractions during certain times of your day? Recently, I turned off all the dings and alerts on my electronic devices. The positive affects on my focus, productivity, and motivation have been noticeable.

We’re human. We all experience times when our motivation wanes. Understanding which are your most challenging areas and implementing some of the strategies discussed will help get you back on track. Come join the conversation. What de-motivates you? What gets you unstuck? 

The conversation continues with our popular “Ask the Expert” feature on The Other Side of Organized blog.  So far this year, we enjoyed great dialogues about clutter with Lorie Marrero, letting go with Geralin Thomas, next steps with Yota Schneider, and change with John Ryan. This month, I’m excited to bring you prolific author and organizing guru Julie Morgenstern to share her wisdom about time management.

Julie and I met almost twenty years ago when I attended a NAPO-NY chapter professional development workshop she organized on closet design. Since then, Julie’s become an internationally recognized expert in the organizing field and authored many books that have become industry “must reads.” My deep appreciation and thanks go to her for taking the time to join us. Before we begin, here’s more about Julie.

Julie Morgenstern, dubbed the “queen of putting people’s lives in order” by USA Today, is an organizing and time management expert, business productivity consultant, and speaker. A New York Times bestselling author, Julie’s five books are timeless reference guides that are insightful and jam-packed with innovative strategies. She has been featured in publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Time, and Business Week. Julie has made frequent appearances on national television and radio programs, including the Today Show, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and NPR’s Fresh Air.  You can connect with Julie on Twitter, Facebook, blog, or website. Check out Julie's line of planners and notebooks on Levenger, part of the Circa notebook series.

Linda:  You are internationally known as the “organizing and time management guru” What are your best strategies for successful time management?

Julie:

• Capture all your to-dos in one place. The biggest mistake people make in managing their time is often quite mechanical—including the habit of scattering their to-dos and appointments among a variety of systems. Decide on one planning system (paper or electronic) and keep it with you wherever you go. Record 100% of your calls, appointments, and to-dos. This reduces pressure to remember, and enables wise choices when prioritizing.

• Schedule “when” you will do things. A to-do not connected to a “when” simply doesn’t get done. Schedule tasks into your planner on the specific day you intend to do them. Add a time estimate next to each item to ensure do-able days.

• Use the 4D’s to lighten your load. Good time management means focusing on the highest and best use of your time. Proactively streamline your workload (at work and at home) by applying the 4 D’s: Delete (discard tasks), Delay (reschedule for a more appropriate time), Diminish (create a shortcut), and Delegate (give to someone who can do it better, faster or good enough).

• Group similar tasks. Batching tasks boosts efficiency, and minimizes the time and energy lost when constantly switching gears. Group DO’s separate from CALLS— separate WORK tasks from PERSONAL ones. Identify the core activities you are juggling your time between (e.g. client service, strategic planning, sales, administration), and create a Time Map that designates regular time for each of those roles—and you’ll find that you will get significantly more done, in less time, at a much higher quality of output.

• Plan tomorrow +2 at theend of each day. People who plan their day find that time stretches—they get much more done, feel less stressed, and avoid getting caught up in unnecessary crisis. Close-out each day by spending 15 minutes reviewing what you completed and your schedule for tomorrow plus 2 days beyond that. A 3-day arc gives you the necessary perspective to adjust your balance as needed and mentally prepare for the upcoming days.

Linda:  Everyone has the same 24 hours in a day. Why do some of us have so much difficulty managing our time?

Julie:  The single most common obstacle people face in managing their days lies in their very perception of it. Most people think of time as intangible.  Unlike space, time is completely invisible. You can’t see it or hold it in your hands. It’s not something that piles up or that you can physically move around. Time is something you feel, and it feels utterly amorphous. Some days go whizzing by while others crawl painfully along. Even your tasks seem hard to measure—infinite and endless in both quantity and duration. As long as time remains slippery, elusive, and hard to conceptualize, you will have difficulty managing your days. You need to change your perception of time and develop a more tangible view of it. You need to learn to see time in more visual, measurable terms.

Once you understand that time has boundaries, you begin to look at your to-dos much differently. Tasks are the objects that you must fit into your space. Each one has a size, and arranging them in your day becomes a mathematical equation. As you evaluate what you need to do, you begin to calculate the size of each task and whether you can fit it into the space. When you start seeing time as having borders, just as a space does, you will become much more realistic about what you can accomplish, and much more motivated to master various time-management tools and techniques to help you make the most of your time.

Linda:  What has been your toughest personal time management challenge?

Julie:  As a creative person, I tend to be someone who hyper-focuses on whatever I am doing, and sometimes, as a result, I lose all sense of time, as I am so engaged with whatever problem I am solving.  This can happen when I am writing, or designing, or am highly engaged in a meeting with someone.  The good news is people and projects get my undivided attention.  The challenge is it’s hard for my staff to interrupt me when I am in the middle of something.  I employ a variety of techniques to stay on track—planning everyday at the end of the day before—and making sure I define the outcome of every working session before I start—so that I stay focused on just the primary goal of that time commitment.

Linda:  If you found yourself with an unexpected extra hour on a particular day, how would you spend that time?

Julie:  Probably for something fun and relationship oriented—call or get together with a friend, go for a walk, stop by a museum, go to the park.   

Linda:  Is there anything you’d like to share that I haven’t asked?

Julie:  Just that mastering time management is not a static process—it is a lifelong skill, dynamic, changing as your own life, circumstances and interests evolve.  You can also tackle your learning in phases and stages.  There’s freshman time management and graduate time management. Everyone, at every point in their lives can benefit from stopping to reflect on their relationship to time, the choices they are making, and what they can do differently to create more meaningful and satisfying days.   

Thank you, Julie for your wonderful insights and strategies about time management. I’m sure many people will appreciate your concept that time management is not a static process. This brings hope, particularly to the time-challenged. I invite all of you to join Julie and me as we continue the conversation. What are your time management challenges? What works or doesn’t work for you?

Twenty-nine years. Today my wonderful husband, Steve and I celebrate our anniversary. Time has passed quickly from the day we said our wedding vows to now. Our time has been rich with family, friends, children, adventures, work, fun, growth, joy, laughter and challenges. I am grateful for all of our moments together- our family time, our parenting time, our just us time, and our challenging time. How did it go so fast?

Seconds, minutes, hours, days, months, and years organize the convention of time. However, we remember time by the people, things, and activities we give our attention to. Time is filled with the priorities we set. It’s what we include in our time that gives our life meaning.

Choices are available at every moment. What do you focus on? Who do you focus on? What distracts you? What do you want to include in your life? Neither the clock nor the choices stop. You have an opportunity right now to invite in what’s most important. When you look back twenty-nine years from now, your memories will reflect your decisions.

Have all my choices been good ones? They have not. I’m human, just like you. Maybe I said “yes” to ice cream too often. Maybe I spent a bit too much time engaged in social media. Maybe the words that needed to be said were silent. Yet when I reflect on these years, I know that many of the choices I made were positive. They helped me to create time that was filled with the people I love, the things I enjoy doing, and work that’s meaningful. Without hesitation, the best choice I made was twenty-nine years ago when I said, “I do” to my best friend and Sweetheart.

The time will pass before you know it. What will you say “yes” to? Come join in the conversation. Share your thoughts, your choices, and your memories with us.