As I told you my fellow readers when I first started this blog, that I'm a recently graduated college this past April. So, reality has set in and the "grown-up" world of "important jobs" slaps me in the face and scares the heck outta me. And lately, I've been assaulted by negative thoughts and anxiety about the future. I'll be the first to admit that finding a job has been one of the hardest things I have had to do the past 3 months.
After much reflection, I'm starting to believe that my "job blues" are the main reason to why I am suffering from a lack of motivation. I've been applying to open positions or just sending introductions letters, accompanied with my resume, to countless design firms, architectural firms and construction companies, I've come to find that I'm either "overqualified for the position" or I'm "under-qualified", which really means I don't have a lot of experience...but doesn't having two internships count?! Or here's my favorite "even though you have an impressive resume and possess the skills that go above and beyond what we're looking for, unfortunately due to the poor economy the past few years, we're not hiring at the moment..." I'm not going to lie, it's been discouraging...which has been leading to my lack of motivation. But I refuse to give up!
Some days I wake-up feeling energized and motivated, with a Let's do this! attitude. And other days, it’s easier to take the path of least resistance, which usually is not the path to greatness. Even when I'm in hot pursuit of my goals and I'm in desperate need of a relaxing day, it’s totally tempting to get sucked into mindless activity (Facebook/Twitter/Pintrest, anyone?) that I don’t necessarily enjoy, it’s just a way to pass the time (Just me, then? Ohhhh, you too?) So the answer to that is to set goals, daily even.
My goal is very simple: to live my life to the fullest. To be healthy, happy, and love life. Of course, doing so is ALWAYS easier said than done. To live a great life, you have no choice but to be motivated in making daily choices that support your goals - every. single. day. Not only do I have to make the choice to take action, I have to take it.
So if you're wondering how I motivate myself - even when I’m feeling distracted, bored, and avoidy? Here’s how!
A great way to motivate myself is to picture my goal in my mind. A vision board (with quotes, photos and goals) helps me visualize my goal(s) regularly, and focus on the life I really want to live. When considering how I want to spend my day I look at my vision board and ask myself, “does this belong in my vision?” When a behavior or action aligns with my goals, I feel a rush of motivation! My Dad is actually the person I leaned this from. When he was starting his own dental practice, he saw a photograph of a house he absolutely fell in love with and made a goal of building it one day. He kept this photo taped to his bathroom mirror in his office, so he had a reminder of his goal, which he saw everyday. And lo and behold a few years later, his goal became a reality.
Get inspired
I keep a folder, Pinterest board and my own folder on my laptop of inspiring quotes and messages. I share favorite quotes on Twitter and Facebook. I stick inspiring thoughts on notes around my house, in my office area and car. I love my post-its. I read inspiring books and articles. I surround myself with inspiration to keep me inspired. Check out this article, written by Elizabeth Gilbert. Its an inspiring piece.
I keep a folder, Pinterest board and my own folder on my laptop of inspiring quotes and messages. I share favorite quotes on Twitter and Facebook. I stick inspiring thoughts on notes around my house, in my office area and car. I love my post-its. I read inspiring books and articles. I surround myself with inspiration to keep me inspired. Check out this article, written by Elizabeth Gilbert. Its an inspiring piece.
Take care of you
Often when I’m feeling unmotivated it’s because I’m hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. I recognized these cues it’s time to STOP and have some me time. I take a bath. Get a mani/pedi. Curl up with a book. Watch Bridesmaids and laugh my butt off. I spend time with family or friends. I can take a nap or get to bed early. Indulge myself in a tasty treat. Taking care of my basic needs comes before happiness.
Take one step at a time
Sometimes I feel unmotivated because the task in front of me seems too daunting and it feels as if I’ll never get it done (that’s never happened to you, right?) When I feel overwhelmed, I can focus on doing one thing at a time. Instead of freaking out about the end result, I focus on the task at hand, which can be difficult because I have ADD. So by taking things one at a time, instead of jumping around, helps so I can check off my "to do" list faster. One step at a time.
Sometimes I feel unmotivated because the task in front of me seems too daunting and it feels as if I’ll never get it done (that’s never happened to you, right?) When I feel overwhelmed, I can focus on doing one thing at a time. Instead of freaking out about the end result, I focus on the task at hand, which can be difficult because I have ADD. So by taking things one at a time, instead of jumping around, helps so I can check off my "to do" list faster. One step at a time.
Be present
A great way to waste time is to spend it doing something that isn’t meaningful or valuable. C'mon, we all are guilty of this! Every moment of my life doesn’t have to be filled with activity, but when I’m not enjoying whatever I’m doing - even if I’m doing nothing - then I don't feel very great. (This is absolutely the point I close my laptop when I’m mindlessly trolling...then am in shock over how much time has actually passed! Eek.) Being present in this moment, enjoying and engaging myself in whatever I do, is a great way to get motivated to do what I really want to do.
Be awesome
When I accept responsibility for the awesomeness of my life and for creating more awesome, I find motivation I didn’t know I had! Woot woot!! Tell yourself that today that you're gonna be awesome - no matter what.
Hearing or reading motivational comments is like practice for our mental strength. A golfer knows how to play the game, but still needs to practice to keep sharp. The same is true for each of us in life. Here are a few of my favorite quotes that I like to think about and re-read every so often (or tack on my bulletin board):
"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could." — Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Wanting something is not enough. You must hunger for it. Your motivation must be absolutely compelling in order to overcome the obstacles that will invariably come your way." — Les Brown
"I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to dance better than myself." — Mikhail Baryshnikov
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." — Winston Churchill
When I accept responsibility for the awesomeness of my life and for creating more awesome, I find motivation I didn’t know I had! Woot woot!! Tell yourself that today that you're gonna be awesome - no matter what.
Hearing or reading motivational comments is like practice for our mental strength. A golfer knows how to play the game, but still needs to practice to keep sharp. The same is true for each of us in life. Here are a few of my favorite quotes that I like to think about and re-read every so often (or tack on my bulletin board):
"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." — Thomas Alva Edison
"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again... Then quit. No use being a damn fool about it." — Mark Twain
"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again... Then quit. No use being a damn fool about it." — Mark Twain
"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could." — Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Wanting something is not enough. You must hunger for it. Your motivation must be absolutely compelling in order to overcome the obstacles that will invariably come your way." — Les Brown
"I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to dance better than myself." — Mikhail Baryshnikov
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." — Winston Churchill
“You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” — Zig Ziglar
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their mind to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” — Mae West
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What comes out of your mouth comes into your life.
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