Motivation is something I lack lately.

[martin]

I can't seem to be motivated to do anything anymore. People get this confused with laziness, but it's really not. A lot of my choices are plagued with anxiety and obsessiveness. I think it tires me out and leaves no room for motivation for anything else. I obsessively count things, I always zone out because my mind is somewhere else. It's really hard to keep focus and I notice my attention span has become short. I don't know what's wrong exactly... I've been reading articles on 'how to become motivated' and I just don't see anything working.

My motivation is just gone, and it's really sad to see because I used to be one of the most motivated people I know. I can't even read a book anymore because I lose focus too easily and it's just too frustrating to stay motivated. Can anyone help?

[CaptainStubbs]

all that inattentiveness kinda sounds like a sign of adhd (potentially)... seriously might want to talk to a doctor or something, could be a medical solution to your woes

[Tayrak]

Have to agree with CaptainStubbs on this one. It sounds like a bit more than I don't feel like it syndrome. It could be something very simple like you're over tired or burned out. You said you used to be real motivated this seems like a drastic change. So check out with a doctor about medical stuff, both mental and physical. Give yourself a break until then. Good luck.

[Razo]

hmm, i disagree, i don't think its that serious, even though it is a rather big change, mainly because i just went through the same thing. The main things that got me back to being motivated were simply running and having a morning routine, but another big thing was writing down all the things that motivate me, articles, events, appraisals, memories, feelings, regrets, losses, values, inspiring people, stories, anything that gets you going really, take some time out to define some things and then CREATE THE HABIT of getting into a routine that gets you motivated, with maybe something that you can take a look at whenever your not.

(even things from scents, photos, music or old letters can do the trick.)

that's just me anyway, but think about just simply writing down some motivators, some goals, get into an empowering habit (with the intention to succeed planted in your mind) and i hope you'll be up and running in no time.

[Jim11]

Martin, I think you need to get to the bottom of what's causing your current anxieties and fears that are immobilizing you.

It's hard to say from a few words, but it doesn't sound to me like you have a medical condition. I've been where you are.

This lack of motivation may be caused by your current outlook on life. If you don't have much purpose, you have low self-worth, etc, then you may question yourself constantly and lack motivation

I think the above post has stated some good ideas about things you might want to do. One thing I'll add:

you may want to take note of your anxieties as they arise as well (doesn't have to be on paper) and think hard about what's causing them. This will give you a bit of direction in choosing some activities/habits that may benefit you

"I recognize the feeling of anxiety within me right now. It's being caused by my fear of this person thinking I'm an idiot", etc. Recognizing why you're getting the feelings is a good first step. Simply recognizing where your fears and immobilizing thought patterns are coming from can loosen the hold they have on you.

Just throwing a couple ideas out there.

[Kaspian]

I went through a low motivation phase in September, and there were a few things that helped. First, I chose to do one or two things from my must-get-done list that I had been avoiding. Then, as I thought of other things to do, I either wrote them down or did them on the spot. For a while, I didn't worry about making myself do things that weren't urgent and I wasn't in the mood for. The desire to do those things returned when my motivation returned.

Getting things done made me feel better about myself, and I found that once I got started on a task, it was relatively to move on to another task once I finished the first one.

It's important that you include things you want to do and look forward to doing—something creative, something active, something social, or whatever you find satisfying.

[martin]

Just wanted to say thanks, I'm starting to feel motivated again. :D

[tinasu]

Hi,

Maybe my reply is too late. but I thought to add in a few lines anyways.

One of the first things to do to motivate yourself if to observe your language. The more we repeat "I just don't feel motivated." or "I've lost my motivation", the more we feed into our subconscious and the more we believe into it.
So, try writing whatever the sentence is repeating in your head.. look at it, and see if you can re-word it somehow to something more encouraging to get yourself out of the current state of mind.

I recently wrote this article that others have found useful: How to Motivate Yourself to Massive Action.

I hope that help in some ways.. and that this note finds you (who ever is reading right now) happy.

[martin]

Originally Posted by tinasu

Hi,

Maybe my reply is too late. but I thought to add in a few lines anyways.

One of the first things to do to motivate yourself if to observe your language. The more we repeat "I just don't feel motivated." or "I've lost my motivation", the more we feed into our subconscious and the more we believe into it.
So, try writing whatever the sentence is repeating in your head.. look at it, and see if you can re-word it somehow to something more encouraging to get yourself out of the current state of mind.

I recently wrote this article that others have found useful: How to Motivate Yourself to Massive Action.

I hope that help in some ways.. and that this note finds you (who ever is reading right now) happy. :)

Thanks for this! :D

[tinasu]

You're welcome Martin! It's good to know people read these things.

[Ilya]

What you describe martin, sounds like being tired. This happens to motivated people from time to time
Or maybe you are facing some difficult tasks. Sometimes you need to slack in the everyday stuff, to concentrate on one important thing.