Sparkplugging is starting a new tradition called ‘Spark an Idea Thursday’. Each week we’ll be sharing some great ideas for a topic of interest to our readers. We invite you to grab our image and carry the tradition through to your own blog! If you do, please link back to this post so we know where you were inspired!
The theme of this week’s Spark an Idea Thursday is Spark an Idea to Stay Motivated
Do you have to FEEL motivated to get or STAY motivated?
I know I’m guilty of staring down a task and saying to myself, “I don’t feel like it right now…” Know what I mean? There are a wide array of excuses I could use:
- not feeling well
- my child is ill
- my laptop is on the fritz (this is a really good one)
- I haven’t had coffee
- my mojo is down
- it’s that time of the month
- _____________ insert your favorite here*
So, do I have to feel motivated? Uh, no. Feeling has nothing to do with motivation, it’s got much more to do with action. There have been times I have a speaking engagement and I’m not even close to feeling like I’m ready to take the platform. I’m not feelin’ it. Do you think that client or room of people really care? Uh, no. So, I load up my gear, get in the car and head on over. I do it anyway, I put myself into action. You know the funny thing? My best workshops & presentations are usually on the days when I don’t “feel” like doing them. I just do it anyway, and before I even get to the door of my gig to start, I’m ready to rock and roll. Weird, huh?
Feeling, shmeeling. Just start doing.
Let’s all just get over what we “feel” like doing and just get doing. It’s like priming the pump, and motivation will flow soon after. So…
Get the article started.
Get a pen and paper out and start planning that next big adventure.
Pick up the phone and start that conversation.
Solve a problem.
Put something on paper, make a plan and then work your plan. You won’t always feel like it, but I’ll bet you’ll be more motivated once you get going. Go ahead, start moving…and you might even start with the thing you’re not “feeling” like doing today.
What are you going to do?
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Feeling motivated to do something is great, but if we wait around for inspiration, we’ll never accomplish anything. Sit down and get to work and motivation will follow.
Cindy Bidars last blog post..Hey Baby, What’s Your Keyword?
I love this post. It’s so true – sometimes you just have to “fake it till you make it.” I always try to start my day with the thing I least feel like doing – that way it’s over and I’m not wasting mental energy worrying about it all day. It’s not easy but it’s worth doing.
Traci Feit Loves last blog post..Work, Play, Call It A Day
You are so right! I totally agree with you – many times when I feel unmotivated to go do a home show or team meeting but do it anyway I end up so excited and energized from it. Doing what you don’t want to do is sometimes the best way to get remotivated.
Leigh Anne Wilkess last blog post..Black Angus Garlic Cheese Bread
@Leigh Anne isn’t that the truth? I think motivation is less an emotion than action I think
@Traci I completely agree! I eat like that too – eat the thing I like the least first, and save the yummy parts for the end. That way the good flavor lingers.
@Cindy I agree wholeheartedly!
YES – some of the most productive work is done when you just aren’t into it!
Jenns last blog post..Get Data In Real Time!
Hmmm…. I have to admit this is one idea I would have whole heartedly agreed to only 10 short days ago, when my little one was admitted to the hospital and we still have no idea when she will get out.
While I do agree get moving is the only way to get started and it does work for me, but some emotions are not that easy to keep down.
I’ve managed to work through kids with the sniffles and stomach bugs fully charged and raring to go. But this time around, it’s been much harder and I’m finding my attention wanders too much.
Lynette Chandlers last blog post..Laser Printers Make More $ense
So true, Lynn. I guess the “feelings” I’m talking about are the ones that we use to decide whether or not we’ll do something. Not necessarily stuff that is going on in our life, tragedies or otherwise… Make sense?
I just can’t get over the fact that you said “it’s that time of the month.” I’m dying over here!
lornadoones last blog post..The Freelancer-Client Relationship