Struggling With Motivation

I feel confident saying that struggling with motivation affects all of us from time to time. Sometimes it feels like life is moving at the speed of light, or that there are more to-do's on our lists than time to do them. Whatever is causing the lack of motivation can feel burdensome and overwhelming. I’m here to offer a few tips to help alleviate some stress you feel around motivation. Sometimes taking one small step is all it takes to get out of a rut.

Set a Timer. I know this sounds simple but in my own experience it has proven to be extremely helpful. When I’m struggling to do the chore I least enjoy (for me it’s the dishes), I will set a 5-minute timer to get me going. More often than not, the act of starting is all it takes for me to get to the finish line. Whether they take five minutes, or ten, once I get going I feel compelled to complete the task at hand. Once completed I always feel relieved that the job is done, and pleased that I did it.

Create a Checklist. There is something satisfying about checking things off as they get done. Visually seeing my accomplishments gives me gratification and the knowledge that I am meeting my goals. I also find it helpful having them listed because it often breaks them down into manageable tasks. This helps me focus on one task at a time instead of being all over the place.

Accountability Buddy. This for me acts similarly as setting a timer in the sense that it helps me get started on whatever it is that needs to get done. Having an accountability buddy can look like having somebody present in person, on a phone call or facetime, or just somebody to text what you’re trying to accomplish so that they can follow up. Having this person know what I am trying to accomplish can often help with my feelings of not wanting to let myself down.

Honor Your Need for Rest. I saved the hardest for last. This is probably the tip I struggle with the most, but the one I find most important. Honoring my needs is not always something that comes naturally to me, but in times of having a loss of motivation, it’s important that I evaluate if I need to slow down. Rest can be felt as lazy or unmotivated for those of us who may be perfectionists or highly critical of ourselves. The actual truth is that it is absolutely necessary to our well-being and overall state of mind. Decreasing stress levels can improve both your mental and physical health, something all of us can benefit from. The point is, when you need rest, let go of the judgement around that and take the time to honor your needs.

Struggling with motivation does not make you lazy or unproductive and is something that we all deal with at least sometimes. These are just a few manageable tips to help get you up and going on the things you want or need to be doing. It is so important to lose judgement around your lack of motivation and simply honor your needs and find ways to improve how you manage your time. Small steps can lead to completing goals and leave an overall sense of accomplishment. We all want ways to improve motivation, as well as our mental wellness, so give these tips a try and let us know if any work for you!

If you would benefit from additional help with struggling with motivation, we have therapists that are skilled in those areas, and more. Contacting us is easy, simply call or text (616) 284-1329 or email echivis@mariposacounselingllc.com for fast judgement-free scheduling.

Emily Chivis

Office Manager