Motivation is a fickle beast — at least that’s the relationship that most people have with it.
When we’re unmotivated, we feel incredible guilt and search for ways to feel more motivated and inspired to act, without actually getting any work done. It’s a never ending cycle.
Before looking for a solution, we must change our relationship with the idea of motivation. Having the expectation that any emotion or state of mind can be sustained indefinitely is inherently flawed.
Take focus, for example
Everyone wants to be more focused, but each of us operates a little differently. Some people can dedicate consecutive hours to one specific task, while others find that they are more productive when working in 30 minute blocks, with built-in breaks in between.
Your ability to focus is also affected by your physical environment, and the nature of the task at hand.
A writer may need to get into a long mental flow, while a sales person may take mental breaks between calls. Each task requires a different level of focus, but the understanding is that sometimes your brain just needs a rest.
What’s fully under your control?
These are usually the things we think of last. They’re the easiest to change, but they require the most amount of discipline.
Are you getting enough sleep? Have you been eating well and exercising consistently?
A full eight hours of sleep, a well balanced breakfast, and an hour at the gym can feel like flipping the motivation switch in your brain. We convince ourselves that there must be a better reason for why we feel lazy, but most times there isn’t.
Go on a three-mile run right now, and I promise that you’ll feel accomplished and motivated to work.
What’s troubling you?
If you’re preoccupied with something, you’re likely depleting all of your mental energy. Things like financial issues or relationship problems can put you in a state of tunnel vision where you’re too worried about your problem and blind to actual solutions.
You might have a business to run, or a deadline to meet, but if you’re not addressing the things that are weighing heavily on you, your work will suffer.
If you’re fighting with your spouse, talk to them and work towards a resolution. If you barely made rent last month, focus on spending less elsewhere or getting a higher paying job.
These things must be prioritized and resolved so you can free up your brain to feel motivated again. Find inspiration from others Getting perspective from others can be just what you need to start working again.
For some, this means reading a book full of entrepreneurial stories, or listening to a podcast and watching a video that can plant new ideas into your head. The key with consuming content, however, is to get back to work as soon as you feel inspired to act, capitalizing on the newly found energy. Others find that it’s more helpful to meet and talk to other people.
Grab a beer with a friend, or reconnect with a colleague. Just by getting out of the house, you’re taking a step toward action. Someone else might be able to help you connect the dots and get moving again.
You can’t always wait for motivation to strike you. Sometimes you just need to be disciplined enough to put in the hours and do the work.
Other times, lack of motivation is a symptom of something bigger. Take the time to understand yourself, and avoid looking for shortcuts. Addressing difficult personal problems upfront can have the most lasting impact.