Personal Development for Smart People^TM Forums

Orionjoel · 10-31-2011, 04:43 AM

Hi All,

For some time now I have felt that I am very lacking in motivation, to do just about anything other then follow my normal routine. This has very different result based on what area of my life it is in regards to though.

The problem lies in where my motivation appears. Generally this is that when I go to the job I have for work. Motivation is available in bucket loads. I am the fastest processor, and can accomplish most tasks at work quicker then others.

When it comes to personal projects and tasks, my motivation is no where to be seen. I have a fairly average sized to do list, with a number of things I would like to achieve on it, however never seem to get the motivation to get to and mark these things off.

Looking at them it is difficult for me to define what the reason behind this is. Weather it is a result of me not seeing a direct relation between doing the task and earning income. Or if it is that the tasks I have down are to big for me to handle in one sitting and maybe i need to break them down.

I am a little lost and confused on this and wonder who else has faced a similar sort of challenge and what steps they took to work through it.

Thank-you

Clint Cora · 10-31-2011, 05:49 PM

I think you already have some idea of what you may have to do already - breaking some personal goals down smaller, etc. You also identified something crucial which is that you might seem motivated when a task is directly connected to your income. That is, if you slack off in your job, you lose your job!

You might benefit from realizing some of the negative consequences of not doing the tasks in your personal list as well. Although not directly related to money, what are the negative consequences of ignoring them for the long term?

Maybe when these stare right back at you on paper, it will hit you on the head better.

AZen · 11-07-2011, 12:49 PM

Dear Joel,

Motivation is crucial and we need to find it inside ourselves. My approach is always to be the first in smiling, so people will smile back to me. You need to find some energy to begin and I'm sure in the following link you will find the necessary energy to start.

Best Motivational Video | InsiderZen

The rest it is up to you, don't surrender and keep up the momentum!

Sometimes you may only need to rest a little bit. Take some days off, it could be very helpfull.

CroMagna · 11-08-2011, 12:34 AM

Both of you gave good advice. I would add that if you have too many things on your to do list, you'll feel so
overwhelmed that you won't do anything. You already work hard, so don't be so hard on yourself.
Just do one or two other things a day.

executivecoaching · 11-10-2011, 04:03 PM

I think the best place to start is to ask yourself what excites you? Write down the top three things that come to mind (without quantifying them) Meaning that it does not have to be job related. Remember, some of the most successful people in the world just did what they loved and at the time it was not a profession. It turned into one. Start with that and let me know what you write down.

Mehreen · 11-10-2011, 05:55 PM

In my opinion, the fact that your list is BIG is keeping you away from action. I don't blame you for getting overwhelmed.

Secondly, since there is no apparent (read instant) benefit of doing those things in your list, I gather that is reason number two for you not getting charged up.

Let's recap, shall we?

Make a baby list out of the daddy list. Only one to two items on it.

Now that you've picked one or two things to do, spend 10 minutes each day listing out and thinking about the benefits that these two (or one) things will bring to your life.

Also think of the disadvantages that NOT doing these things are going to bring you. Manipulate your mind. If there aren't any, invent some (those that would really creep you out).

Spend one whole week DOING those things and also THINKING about those things. After a week, take out the daddy list again and cross off the items that you've already started doing. Give yourself a treat for being so consistent (I am thinking on the lines of a trashy best seller with junk food but whatever works for you).

Next take two (or one) items from the daddy list again and make a new baby list consisting only of those two items.

Lather, rinse, repeat. Every week!

Let me know how that turned out for you. All the best!

10-31-2011, 04:43 AM	#1 (permalink)
Orionjoel Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Brisbane Australia Posts: 255	Motivation Work vs. Personal Hi All, For some time now I have felt that I am very lacking in motivation, to do just about anything other then follow my normal routine. This has very different result based on what area of my life it is in regards to though. The problem lies in where my motivation appears. Generally this is that when I go to the job I have for work. Motivation is available in bucket loads. I am the fastest processor, and can accomplish most tasks at work quicker then others. When it comes to personal projects and tasks, my motivation is no where to be seen. I have a fairly average sized to do list, with a number of things I would like to achieve on it, however never seem to get the motivation to get to and mark these things off. Looking at them it is difficult for me to define what the reason behind this is. Weather it is a result of me not seeing a direct relation between doing the task and earning income. Or if it is that the tasks I have down are to big for me to handle in one sitting and maybe i need to break them down. I am a little lost and confused on this and wonder who else has faced a similar sort of challenge and what steps they took to work through it. Thank-you

11-07-2011, 12:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
AZen Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 7	AZen Dear Joel, Motivation is crucial and we need to find it inside ourselves. My approach is always to be the first in smiling, so people will smile back to me. You need to find some energy to begin and I'm sure in the following link you will find the necessary energy to start. Best Motivational Video \| InsiderZen The rest it is up to you, don't surrender and keep up the momentum! Sometimes you may only need to rest a little bit. Take some days off, it could be very helpfull.

11-10-2011, 04:03 PM	#5 (permalink)
executivecoaching Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 2	What excites you? I think the best place to start is to ask yourself what excites you? Write down the top three things that come to mind (without quantifying them) Meaning that it does not have to be job related. Remember, some of the most successful people in the world just did what they loved and at the time it was not a profession. It turned into one. Start with that and let me know what you write down.

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10-31-2011, 05:49 PM	#2 (permalink)
Clint Cora Family Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Mississauga, On Canada Posts: 1,502	I think you already have some idea of what you may have to do already - breaking some personal goals down smaller, etc. You also identified something crucial which is that you might seem motivated when a task is directly connected to your income. That is, if you slack off in your job, you lose your job! You might benefit from realizing some of the negative consequences of not doing the tasks in your personal list as well. Although not directly related to money, what are the negative consequences of ignoring them for the long term? Maybe when these stare right back at you on paper, it will hit you on the head better.

11-08-2011, 12:34 AM	#4 (permalink)
CroMagna Family Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,975	Both of you gave good advice. I would add that if you have too many things on your to do list, you'll feel so overwhelmed that you won't do anything. You already work hard, so don't be so hard on yourself. Just do one or two other things a day.

11-10-2011, 05:55 PM	#6 (permalink)
Mehreen Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 10	In my opinion, the fact that your list is BIG is keeping you away from action. I don't blame you for getting overwhelmed. Secondly, since there is no apparent (read instant) benefit of doing those things in your list, I gather that is reason number two for you not getting charged up. Let's recap, shall we? Make a baby list out of the daddy list. Only one to two items on it. Now that you've picked one or two things to do, spend 10 minutes each day listing out and thinking about the benefits that these two (or one) things will bring to your life. Also think of the disadvantages that NOT doing these things are going to bring you. Manipulate your mind. If there aren't any, invent some (those that would really creep you out). Spend one whole week DOING those things and also THINKING about those things. After a week, take out the daddy list again and cross off the items that you've already started doing. Give yourself a treat for being so consistent (I am thinking on the lines of a trashy best seller with junk food but whatever works for you). Next take two (or one) items from the daddy list again and make a new baby list consisting only of those two items. Lather, rinse, repeat. Every week! Let me know how that turned out for you. All the best!

Personal Development for Smart PeopleTM Forums

Personal Development for Smart People^TM Forums