We do things that demotivate us. We often don’t recognize how certain activities, behaviors, or thoughts prevent us from living the life we truly want. Have you ever gotten lost down the social media scrolling rabbit hole? Instead of being uplifted and raring to go, you end up feeling deflated or anxious. Do you spend so much time watching the news about the latest climate disasters, global health emergencies, wars, political unrest, mass shootings, and economic crises that you want to retreat and do nothing?

It can be challenging to access motivation when you’re constantly feeding your fear and stress responses. How can you find a healthy balance?

Recently, I read something my brother, Tod, posted on Facebook. He shared Jane Coaston’s The New York Times article, “Try to Resist the Call of the Doomers.” Before reading the piece, I hadn’t heard of Doomerism, which Coaston says “…is hotter right now than the street outside my apartment, and that street is pretty damn hot.”

Coaston describes Doomerism as “a new religion of profound pessimism...luxuriates in the awful…[and] everything is another harbinger of calamity.”

What effect does Doomerism have on your motivation? Coaston writes, “If you want people to do something, they need to be motivated- and impending doom doesn’t seem to do it.” So what can you do? Coaston’s proposition is surprising and hopeful. She believes “the best way to spur action is to begin from a place of optimism – a belief that the thing you want really is possible.”

How powerful is that? When you focus on optimism and possibilities, you have the energy and belief to move forward. It doesn’t mean you ignore everything going on in the world. However, you create a space where growth and positive outcomes are viable, and motivation thrives.

“... the best way to spur action is to begin from a place of optimism - a belief that the thing you want really is possible.”

— Jane Coaston

I’m reminded of my dad, the eternal optimist; even though he had a difficult childhood, he lived through the Depression and World War II. He always viewed the glass as half full, saw the best in people, and believed things would turn out OK. I frequently sought his guidance and advice. He’d listen, discuss when I was in doubt, and then send me off with three powerful words- “Go for it!” It didn’t get more hopeful than that. After our conversations, I had more belief in myself and agency in my ability to bring about positive change.

So on those days when the doomers’ noise is at full volume, turn up your optimism. Focus on what is possible. Surround yourself with images, stories, and people that will lift you up and cheer you on. Build a solid positive foundation to grow from. This will nourish your motivation and belief that what you seek can happen. Even in the darkness, life offers an abundance of light. Focus your lens in that direction.

Has your motivation been negatively influenced by Doomerism? What helps you restore your motivation? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation.

When you think about types of motivation, often thoughts are about internal and external motivation. Recently, I noticed another way to consider motivation and helpful strategies to sustain them.

Instead of focusing on where motivation comes from, think about how much motivation you need over a specific time. For example, the time and motivation you need to accomplish a single task like responding to an email differ from what’s required to achieve a long-term goal such as organizing an entire home.

With this in mind, let’s look at three types of motivation that are time-based and ways to help you nourish your motivation.

3 Types of Motivation with Helpful Ways to Sustain Them

1. Short Motivation Burst

Characteristics:

• You can accomplish the task with a few simple steps.

• You can complete the task in less than 30 minutes.

• You can do the task on your own.

• The task has few if any obstacles to entry.

Short motivation examples include:

• Meditating

• Taking a walk

• Making a phone call

• Responding to an email

• Clearing the dishes from the kitchen sink

• Putting your laundry in the hamper

• Decluttering your handbag

• Sorting today’s mail

In most cases, you need low motivation to complete these activities because they require less energy and have a high satisfaction or “done” rate. If you’re a list maker, you’ll enjoy the endorphin ping you’ll receive when you’re able to quickly check that “one and done” off of your list.

When you struggle with getting motivated, selecting a short motivation burst activity can give you the energy needed to tackle something more extensive.

“To enhance long-term motivation, gather your support team.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVOP™

2. Medium Motivation Gallop

Characteristics:

• You can accomplish the item with multiple steps.

• You can complete the item over several days or months.

• You might require help or information from someone.

• You might encounter some obstacles before or during the process.

Medium motivation examples include:

• Preparing tax returns

• Developing a new workshop

• Organizing a kitchen

• Writing an article
  Reviewing your financials

• Editing and re-organizing your filing system

• Helping your kid pack for college

More motivation and energy are needed to complete these types of projects. You might encounter some emotional or physical challenges along the way or be unsure of your next step. The challenges can result in feeling deflated or de-motivated.

To sustain motivation for the medium motivation projects, spend time gathering your resources, whether physical ones like trash bags, markers, and boxes or emotional ones, like the support of friends, family members, or professional organizers like me.

3. Long Motivation Journey

Characteristics:

• You can accomplish your project with a series of mini goals.

• You can complete your project over months or a year plus.

• You will require external support and possibly a team.

• You will experience obstacles before and during the process.

Long motivation examples include:

• Writing a book

• Losing weight

• Organizing an entire home

• Preparing and selling your home

• Getting a college degree

• Planning a wedding

• Saving for retirement

• Designing and planting a garden

Since the long motivation projects happen over an extended time, it can be especially challenging to maintain the energy and motivation needed to bring them to fruition. You will sometimes experience challenges, waning motivation levels, and energy loss.

To sustain your motivation:

• Break the projects down into doable mini goals

• Pace yourself, which will reduce burnout

• Gather your support team

• Enlist help from accountability and thought partners

• Share with others what you are working on

• Gather tools and resources to accomplish what you want in advance

• Add to your toolbox along the way

• Keep your eye on the goal, but be flexible with how you get there

As you head for the end goal, focusing on appreciating the journey and the mini successes along the way will enhance your motivation and satisfaction.

Have you considered motivation needs based on time parameters? If so, what has your experience been? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation.

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.”

— Anne Lamott

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.

Have you ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, and unsure about how to move forward? If so, you’re not alone. It’s fascinating how, when you’re in that stuck mode, time seems to slow down like the speed of molasses dripping from a spoon. It can feel challenging to activate and figure out what to do next. When you’re in an overwhelmed-and-stuck-headspace, negative thoughts can pile on, adding another layer of complication.

This ‘stuck’ place is often the starting point for my virtual organizing clients. One of my greatest joys is facilitating change so my clients can reach their goals and focus on what is most important to them. When my clients make time with me to think, question, and process, it gives them the space to find their way forward. Recently, I worked with clients to create portable workspaces, refine paper management and workflow systems, establish time and scheduling boundaries, prioritize to-do lists, and declutter spaces that had been piled for years.

If you find yourself in this overwhelmed, stymied place and are unsure how to move forward, the first step is identifying it. Then acknowledge this is an area for growth and say, “That’s my work.”

Stop beating yourself up. Refrain from going into negative self-talk or black and white thinking with “I’ll never get organized” or “I’m always going to be overwhelmed.” Stop perpetuating untruths.

“That’s my work.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD, CVOP™

Instead, see where you are stuck and simply, gently, and matter-of-factly repeat, “That’s my work.” It’s your opportunity to develop. What you choose to do next might be breathing and decluttering one big pile. Or, you might decide to enlist help from a trusted family member, friend, or professional organizer like me. Having a buddy as you sort, edit, and ponder can be valuable.

However you choose to move ahead when you’re bothered, stuck, or overwhelmed, remind yourself, “That’s my work.” Then lean in and seize the opening to make a change. It’s time. You can find your way forward.

How do you respond when you are stuck? Do you go it alone or reach out for help? What helps you move forward? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation.