Unmotivated? 7 Tips for Getting Back in the Groove

I have to be honest. . . the last thing I want to do right now is write an article. I'm blaming it on the beautiful spring weather. Or perhaps I'm just burned out and I need a break. No wait, I'm tired because I had to get up early this morning. Yeah, that's it. . .

Regardless of my excuses (believe me, I could probably come up with at least 10 or 20 more), the fact remains that I have a completely blank newsletter with space for one brilliant article, and loyal readers expecting nothing less than profound words of wisdom. So what's a tired, burned-out spring fever sufferer to do? Well, here's what I'm going to try:

1) Acceptance. Have you ever tried to simply observe how you're feeling, without judging it or trying to change it? Sometimes trying to force myself to work on a project when I don't want to triggers the rebellious teenager in me ("you can't make me!"), which certainly doesn't help my motivation. On the other hand, I find that taking a step back and accepting how I feel in the moment helps me to work through those feelings a lot faster.

2) Slowing down. I'm one of those productive, ambitious types. I can't really help it - there's so much I want to do with my time, that sitting around doing nothing is hard for me. But I've learned over the years that sometimes doing nothing is exactly what I need to regain my motivation. Slowing down and re-connecting with my thoughts and my feelings helps me tap back into the creativity and passion that was temporarily blocked.

3) Breaking up the task. Okay, so what about those projects that simply can't be ignored or put aside until we naturally regain our motivation? Things like newsletter deadlines, or making dinner for the kids, or that big presentation that's due on Monday? How do you get motivated when the ticking of the clock is all you can hear? I've found that breaking up the task (whatever it is) into small pieces helps me get one foot in front of the other. Am I taking my precious time in accomplishing the task? Well, yes. . . at first. But at least I have forward motion. And once I've tricked myself into getting the job done, somewhere in the process my motivation seems to find its way back to me.

4) Delegating. Another tool - find someone else to help with the task at hand (or to take it over completely!). We're all going to have days where we just can't get our behinds in gear. What's saved me in those moments is having a solid support system that I can rely on to take over when I can't bring myself to be productive. Of course, I have to pitch in for them once in a while too, but that give-and-take can definitely help take the pressure off of performing when you're not in the mood.

5) Negotiating. I find that most of my deadlines aren't set in stone. A lot of them are negotiable, which means I have an opportunity to buy myself some time to get motivated. If I am feeling pressured to complete a task and I'm just not in the right head-space to do it, I ask myself whether this is a firm deadline, or is it something that can be postponed a few days (or even a few hours).

6) Get organized. Sometimes I find that what I'm feeling isn't even a lack of motivation - it's overwhelm. I'm the type of person who can't sit down and concentrate on a project when my house is a mess or if I have too much to do and don't know where to start. In these instances, it helps to give myself 30 minutes to get organized before I try to tackle the main project.

7) Just do it. And sometimes (like today), I really do just have to suck it up. Would I rather be outside riding my bike in the gorgeous weather or taking an afternoon nap? Sure. . . but sometimes life beckons and all you can do is follow through with your responsibilities.

And with that said, I'm off to enjoy the last few hours of sunshine in the park.