When You’re Feeling Unmotivated
Feeling Unmotivated! When was the last time you woke up excited and eager to bring your dream to life? Have you lost that drive? If so, why?
Don’t worry if you can’t remember. This happens to everyone at some point. And, at the core of this loss of momentum is the self-imposed pressure to constantly feel motivated. Often when we lose inspiration, we chastise ourselves with negative self-talk: “What’s wrong with me?”, “Why can’t I follow through with anything?” or “I can’t do anything right.”
Dwelling in the realm of possibility is the pivotal to achieving anything. This evokes a directive healing energy inherent in all of us, and a subsequent liberating ability to create the rules to direct our own lives.
What do you have to lose?
Laura Di Franco, an Intuitive Writing Strategist and Wholistic Physical Therapist, says we must first give ourselves permission to BE ourselves, embracing our most far-fetched and impossible dreams. And, she asserts that age has nothing to do with having purpose and experiencing joy. Skeptical? What do you have to lose? Do you think you’re “too old to start X”, “lost your chance,” or that it’s “too late” to make a change?
You may be sick, injured, or experiencing emotional and mental burdens. Take heart. These conditions in no way DEFINE you or your ability to heal, change and transform. We each have a powerful internal guide to help us how to solve any problem. It’s simply requires learning that language – heightening our awareness, and understanding the mental voices that maintain and nurture old belief systems.
Guilt and pressure – two highly negatively emotions – only stunt creativity. We need to accept that life is cyclical with seasons for everything. Sometimes it’s good to forge ahead in the face of obstacles. Particularly when we have clearly defined goals and still have the desire to see them to fruition, we can push through a sticky patch. However, if we’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure about them, it’s quite acceptable – and indeed recommended – to backtrack and re-assess the situation.
If you’re in a place of doubt, best-selling author and international speaker Shannon Kaiser offers some questions for reflection:
1. Am I frustrated because my desires are unfulfilled?
Kaiser says the main reason we lose motivation is because what we want isn’t happening in the time frame we would like. For example, most diets fail because the results don’t match up with expectations.
If you’re feeling frustrated because your goal is still eluding you, focus on the initial reason. It wasn’t for the mere end result, but the feeling you’d derive from it. Instead of being angry because you haven’t accomplished it, focus on how you want to feel. Then give yourself the things to make you feel that way. This will make you feel empowered and cultivate patience
2. Is my current situation no longer challenging me or allowing me to grow?
Everything in our lives should be an opportunity for growth and learning more about ourselves. “When we stop growing we become bored, resentful and restless.” If you’re feeling stagnant, ask yourself if you’re being challenged. If you’re not, think of what else you’d like to do to develop your potential.
3. Are my expectations unrealistic?
Unrealistic expectations hinder progress. It’s tough to stay motivated if you’re constantly meeting disappointments. While having a vision is essential, creating unattainable goals is ”a trick our ego sometimes plays to prevent us from going outside of our comfort zone”. Kaiser explains that the ego’s purpose is to keep us safe, but, since it reacts to fear, it also often keeps us stuck. If we shift our focus to an outcome that is more joyful, this will bring freedom and encourage the creative process.
4. Am I practising self-care?
Often when we lack motivation, it’s because that we’ve been giving excessively to others. If you find you’ve been taking a backseat in your own life, give yourself more attention and care. Enjoy a relaxing bath get a facial or massage. Just be kind to yourself.
5. Am I comparing myself to others?
Playing the comparison game will take away your clarity and passion for your unique path. Instead of comparing yourself to others, look inward. Focus on YOUR journey and on how you can best use what you currently have.
Decision-making TIP
Instead of struggling and stressing over making the “best decision possible”, Jordyn Cormier, a freelance filmmaker, writer and dancer-choreographer, says we’re far better off making ANY decision, instead of worrying over it. Making a decision moves us forward, and, once done, we feel more at peace.
While making a BAD decision is not encouraged, making one that is “good enough but not ideal” is probably the best option to minimise stress and increase happiness. These actually activate different parts of the brain. A “good enough” decision activates the area that controls logic, while an “ideally perfect” decision activates more emotional sections of the brain, which can make you feel less in control.
The good thing is an active decision boosts dopamine, so you’ll be happier regardless.
