From 2/2013 - This article is from a daily email I receive from http://Unclutterer.com.
I thought this one was particularity good in regards to staying motivated and to continue to work on the goals and resolutions we set for the New Year.
January is the National Association of Professional Organizers' Get Organized Month. The timing makes sense as many people tend to be focused on resolutions, goals, and ambitions at the beginning of the year. But, in addition to the calendar year changing, holidays, your birthday, and even the change in seasons are great times to focus on the things you'd like to accomplish and begin implementing a plan of attack.
Still, even with the best intentions, you might find yourself struggling to stay in touch with your usually motivated self. You didn't mean for things to end up this way, they just did. In fact, you most likely started out with an abundance of enthusiasm. You were in sync with the part of yourself that was feeling particularly inspired. And, then one day you realized that you sort of drifted apart. You started putting those important goals aside until you didn't feel like doing them anymore. Your motivation simply got up and left.
For most of us, the break up with the positive feelings that keep us pushing toward a goal is not uncommon. We even know when it's going to happen. A new study conducted by Andrea Bonezzi, assistant marketing professor at New York University's Stern School of Business et al. appears to back this up:
Whether you have a business goal of increasing market share, hope to lose 20 pounds, or have vowed to read Moby Dick, you may have noticed that somewhere around midway to your goal, motivation wanes ... this sort of fourth-inning slump is a common, predictable pattern.
The author goes on to say that if your starting and ending points seem very distant from each other, you're likely to "lose motivation to keep working toward that goal." What should you do if your motivation deserts you? Though you might be feeling the burdensome weight of a (seemingly) irreparable relationship with your formerly motivated self, there are specific actions you can take to win your motivation back.
The first step, of course, is to recognize that feeling less eager to complete a task may very well happen. Life's little (and big) adventures can sometimes leave you feeling discouraged. But, since you know this ahead of time, you can:
Make a solid plan
By now, you've read some of our posts that suggest you break your goals (especially the big, hairy ones) into manageable, attainable chunks. To fortify your resolve and keep moving positively toward your goal, why not also include mini trophies for each milestone you reach or task you accomplish? Knowing that you have something to look forward to at various points in your journey can help you stay motivated. You might choose to have different rewards for small steps and a large one when you've reached the finish line.
Join a program or support group
Think you need a bit more support to get your motivation back even though you have a well crafted plan? There is truth to there being strength in numbers, so consider seeking the support of others. You may want to take a look at Peter Walsh's 31 Days to Get Organized challenge. He has been sharing daily organizing tips on his Facebook page ranging from getting control of kids toys to tackling paper piles. Since many of his tips are recorded, you can watch them whenever you need to on YouTube. In the Unclutterer Forums, there is an active group of people who are trying this challenge and writing about their successes and hiccups in their community. The discussion is Peter Walsh's January Organizing Challenge, if you're interested in participating.
The Apartment Therapy January Home Cure (daily tips and ideas to stay motivated) is coming a close soon, but you can still sign up and see all the Cure assignments. They will also be offering another Cure later in the year, but, in the meantime, check out the companion book, Apartment Therapy: The Eight-Step Home Cure. Again, there is a group in the Unclutterer Forums discussing their progress in this program in the discussion January Home Cure.
Use resources that you've had success with in the past
If you've ever read a book or blog post or even listened to a podcast that left you feeling ready to conquer your projects, dust them off and give them a second look. Chances are, if they worked for you in the past, they're likely to work for you again. Of course, you can check out some of our previous posts on what to do when you just don't feel very inspired. You can also hop on over to the Unclutterer Forum to share your experiences.
Take something off your plate
I've discovered that sometimes my motivation goes on walkabout when I have said "yes" one time too many. I want to be helpful, but more than that, I want to make sure that when I do say yes, I can do my absolute best. Feelings of being overwhelmed and stressed can increase when you feel pulled in too many directions. Take a look at your responsibilities to see if there is something you can share or pass on to someone else entirely. You'll breathe a little easier and will probably start feeling more positive.
Though you may not feel as enthusiastic about your goals as you did at the outset, don't give up. Revise your plan and look for ways you can keep your spirits and motivation high.
Stay Motivated,
Annette
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