How to Find Your Motivation

Motivation is not Inspiration. If you’re looking for Inspiration, look here… 🙂

Motivation is a funny thing — it can easily be lost, especially if you’re in the creative fields. The causes range from having too many ideas, not having enough ideas, or just a general stuck feeling.

I hate when I lack Motivation. I usually have plenty of Inspiration, which makes it even worse. I tend to just get paralyzed, which is why #7 is my favorite 🙂 But the first 6 steps set the stage for success….

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1. Snap Out of It. This is my Mom’s advice, for a whole plethora of problems.

Applied here, it’s a reminder that deep down we have the ability to override the stuck feeling to just get on with it. It’s easier said than done but if you can just shake off what’s holding you back, this can work.

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2. Work on it for Just 5 Minutes.

This small chunk of time is a good bargain to make with yourself, and often it’s just those first couple minutes that we need to hurdle to get back into the project. If we still aren’t feeling it, that’s ok too. Try something else.

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3. Create a Motivational Playlist. Whenever you turn it on, clear the tables, roll up your sleeves, and get to it.

Use it like you’re Pavlov’s dog. Eventually just hearing makes you shake off your self-imposed shackles of procrastination, and hop up to tackle your project. I’d start with some Funk or Vivaldi’s Spring.

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4. Clean Up. Sometimes we just need a fresh slate.

Promise yourself you’ll clean for 15 minutes and see how you feel after. Organize clutter until it’s functional and make a box for goodwill. Lessen the visual clutter in your life as much as possible. I’d recommend Unstuff Your Life!: Kick the Clutter Habit and Completely Organize Your Life for Good if you need help.

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5. Read the book Daily Rituals: How Artists Work— This little gem highlights the daily routines of famous artists, writers, and scientists throughout history.

You’ll be astonished at how most of these artists adhere to very established (albeit often bizarre) routines.

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6. Write down your Goals for today, this week, and this month. Type it all up and have it open on your desktop.

Be sure you look at it each day for direction, and to get the satisfaction as you cross items off.

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7. Focus. This is the most important for me, as I tend to have too many ideas and projects going all at once. I get overwhelmed and paralyzed.

For me, this means turning off the internet and phone, picking up my pencil, stepping up to the easel, and giving it my undivided attention as long as possible. Breaks are healthy, but come back to it. And once you’re back in The Flow,* you’ll probably be excited to stay there.