Motivation
[ 13 November 2007 ]
“I have a question regarding motivation. You work from home with no one to appease except your fans. How do you find the motivation to continue writing daily? I am student and although I love my field of study, I sometimes think it would be easy to just watch television all day! I want to have the motivation that you obviously have. Please help if you can!”
“I was just wondering if you would consider writing an article on something along the lines drive and productivity. You obviously have a big load of drive and icing attests to your productivity levels. But obviously you are doing something you love; I’m studying journalism, and while I do love it, or at least the notion of future gratification, it requires that I do a lot of boring stuff. So, I clear out my space, make it all pared back, minimal and streamlined, drink 6 cups of coffee then sit down to do my work.. then read the entire internet. Or clean my room. Or go to sleep. I just want to be a productive, driven, over achiever with brilliant time management, is that too much to ask!?”
Motivation comes & goes. In my experience, the more you enjoy doing something, the more motivation you will have to do it. If you’ve been doing something for years & struggling with it every step of the way, it might be an indication that it’s not where you’re meant to be, or not what you’re meant to be doing. Listen to what your brain is telling you! However, sometimes we’re working towards something we’re genuinely excited about, but we hit a little plateau & find it hard to scrabble our way out of it. Eating a lot of ice-cream or watching reality shows on MTV start to sound very appealing. As soon as you start to feel like this, you should do your best to nip it in the bud as soon as you can. The longer it goes on, the harder it is to pull yourself out of it.
My favourite, foolproof way to regain motivation is to use EFT. Usually, after using it, you’ll find that your enthusiasm for the project will come back in about five minutes. “Even though I don’t have any motivation… even though I can’t be bothered… even though I’d rather watch television…” Another thing you can do is use EFT to dig down into the deeper reasons why you’re not motivated. Perhaps you have a fear of failure. The best way to dig through these kinds of things is to ask a question — like, “Why don’t I want to study?” — & then start questioning your answers with “Why?”. It might end up going something like this:
Why don’t I want to study?
Because I can’t be bothered.
Why?
Because it’s stupid.
Why?
Because it’s a waste of time.
Why?
Because I’m never going to be successful anyway.
Then you can use EFT to clear all of those feelings, but obviously feeling like you’re never going to be successful is the big one there. Do you see what I mean?
However, if you don’t want to try that, here are some slightly more conventional (& less effective!) ways of getting back on track!
Set a goal
...Some major, & some minor. Say your major goal is to get a top grade on your exam — the small goals leading up to that will be things like studying for an hour a day, making comprehensive notes & paying attention in class. You can then break these goals down even further if you like. Make a little chart with a space for every class, then put a star or a tick in every class that you pay attention in.
Set some time aside to really think about what you want to achieve & all the little steps on the way. Give your goals a timeframe & make sure they are measurable — so that when you have achieved them, you will know for sure. “Become famous” is not a goal. “Have my picture on cover of Rolling Stone magazine by 7th August 2009” is.
Ideally, these goals should excite you — or at least, the major goals should thrill you enough that it propels you to tick off the minor ones! Making study notes isn’t very stimulating, but the ultimate goal of graduating with honours should hopefully be enough to push you onward.
(There’s more information available on goal setting here.)
Reward yourself
How about those of us who are locked into something we’re kind of sick of, but need to complete? Well, sometimes enjoyment or satisfaction can be replaced with a reward. This is similar to those hellish call centres where you get pizza if you hit a sales target — there’s absolutely no joy to be found in the role, so they bribe you with incentives. Think like that! You can reward yourself with anything you like: chocolate, watching a movie, baking cupcakes, an hour of kissing with your lover, a new handbag, or a trip to the beach to make sandcastles. Just make sure it’s something you’re actually psyched about, & make sure you deliver on your promise to reward yourself!
Find some inspiration!
Using EFT as well as having a goal & being inspired is pretty much an unbeatable combination! The best thing is that finding inspiration is really fun. There are lots of ways you can do this. Find pictures that help represent your goal or what you’re working towards.
Maybe you’re trying to grow your business & your ultimate goal is make lots of money — surround yourself with pictures of what you’d do with that money. (Just writing “$1,000,000” on a piece of paper is a bit abstract.) Make a collage of what having money represents to you, & put it near your desk. A picture of St. Barths... a Ferrari… an Hermès Birkin… a photo of the Christian Louboutin store on Madison Avenue… ?
When it comes to inspiration, it really can’t be underestimated. You will find yourself drawn to the things you surround yourself with. When my boyfriend moved in with me last year, we decided to change our lives & as part of that, we looked really closely at all the pictures I had on my walls. Some of them were really depressing — sad-looking thin girls, angry rebellious statements, etc. You name it, I had it on my wall. We took down all the tragic pictures & replaced them with pictures I liked just as much, but which had positive connotations. I know it sounds really weird, but I am convinced that this strongly contributed to the way my life changed. When I look around the iCiNG Bowl now, practically every picture has someone smiling. Your environment impacts on how you feel & how you live!
Write your goal down
As long as it’s not too abstract, write your goal in big letters & put it somewhere that you will see it all the time. Make it your desktop or cellphone wallpaper if you want, but make sure it’s in a place that will really help drill it into your brain. The more you see it, the more you’ll feel it. Phrase it as positively as you can. You will get much better results from writing “Pass with honours & flying colours” than “Don’t suck too hard in your exam”!
Get support
Odds are, you are probably not the only person in the world trying to achieve this goal. Of course, we all have different lives, but most people are trying to make more money, or pass a course, or get a great job. The key is to surround yourself with like-minded people. There might be a group you can join — a students association, small business owner’s group, etc. Talk to people about it! Sometimes just feeling like you’re not alone really helps. It’s also a huge bonus to associate yourself with people who have already done what you want to do. It will make your goal seem more realistic & attainable, as well as giving you a valuable resource who can help you out when the going gets tough. (Hint: Be good to your resource! Buy them dinner & tell them how much you appreciate their help.)
Make a timetable
Sometimes it’s our self-discipline that fails us. If you have a schedule, that might make life easier for you. Make it realistic, though — there is nothing sadder than a timetable that doesn’t allow you time to mess around on the internet or go out for a coffee. Think about how you operate. Do you work better with something flexible or something rigid? If you need a strict timetable, use an alarm clock or use Google Calendar’s alerts to keep you on track. If you prefer having fewer limits, leave big gaps in your schedule so that you can nap from 2 ‘til 4 if you want. Be true to yourself, though. There’s no point in letting yourself slack off if you need to do the work!
Stay focussed
When you’re working on your project, really commit to it. Turn off the television, turn down your music (or make a playlist that’s not going to disturb you, or turn it off completely), tell your flatmates/spouse/children to leave you alone, turn off your phone. Basically, minimise distractions, because you’ll work much better. It drives me nuts if people try to talk to me when I’m in the midst of my writing “flow”! Being on task & working well is magical; that time is precious. Make the most of it!
...But don’t cripple yourself
If you’re really overwhelmingly tired, & the choice is between sleeping & working on your project, you should almost always go for sleep. When you’re exhausted, your brain just doesn’t work as well as it would if you were fully awake. If you nab an extra half hour of sleep, you will find that you are much more productive when you do actually get around to working. Be good to yourself. People work best when they are relaxed, well rested, hydrated & have satisfied bellies!
Just start!
You can read productivity articles on the internet for hours, but they’re not going to count for much if, afterwards, you just go to sleep! Some of the best advice for writer’s block — after you’ve gone for a walk, had a nap, eaten something, read a magazine & jumped up & down in frustration — is to just start writing. Even if it’s rubbish, just write. Well, this is kind of the same thing. Just start! Make a little step towards your goal. Even if you only work on it for 5 minutes, at least it’s something. You’ll feel better about getting into it tomorrow having done something already.
Good luck!
Super-love & cupcakes,
Gala
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what about motivation for living?
>. — Well, it’s kind of the same thing. You need to decide to do something! Living day to day is rubbish unless there’s a point, or something you want to achieve. Choose a goal (visit India, have a baby, own a collection of classic cars), find inspiration & support, then go for it…
Gala, I was on Google Reader when I decided to check iCiNG’s RSS stream and BOOM, the second I clicked on it, this article appeared at the same time. I hear the angels singing! :D
I’ve been struggling with my lack of motivation for as long as I’ve been alive, and especially now because I’ve made serious goals for myself. Thank you for writing this – I definitely plan to kick myself (gently…) into being more productive.
thankyou so much Gala this is wonderful. x
Gala, I stumbled on your website about a week ago while researching the beehive. I’m a stylist and have been having so much fun drinking up your site!
I had never heard of EFT so I went back, and back and watched the video’s and read your articles. I just started sobbing. Strange. I love being me. I do what I love, I have the coolest kids. But apparently I have some deep issues that I need to work out.
Thank you so much. I’m on my way to give it a try.
Kisses
Jes
Your timing is impeccable, Gala; I was wondering if you had ever written an article about getting motivated and lo and behold, you updated your blog with this piece!
I have a problem getting myself motivated and it has affected me so much over the years, especially from high school to my recent graduation from university. Whenever I find myself inspired by people who do great things , I initially feel excited and have this urge of wanting to be productive, but after that high, I suddenly feel useless and feel more demotivated than ever before. I think emotionally I am carrying baggage that’s holding me back from achieving my best, so I’ll try EFT to help me along with my efforts of goal planning, etc.
Thank you for writing this… I’ve felt so negative about myself for too long. I want to change my life.
Yay! What a wonderful article. I think I’ve just been lacking the inspriation. Thank you Gala. You are a life saver!
I have NO motivation right now, though I know is because I TOTALLY HATE college. My only goal is to get through the courses…and then, on March, start my new career, Laws (yay!). But right now the only thing I want to do is sleeping, playing World of Warcraft and DIY...
You always write the precise thing Gala, I really need to have motivation for next year’s classes! I’m redecorating my room and I’m gonna try to fill with happy pictures :) thaaaanks, I heart you so much
Thanks Gala.
I tried EFT last night to make me wake up earlier, and this morning I woke up at 6.30am! Then I realised I had nothing to do at that time so I went back to sleep, but still!!
I also used it before I went shopping because I have a real problem with buying junk food that I REALLY don’t need. It worked, I didn’t even want anything that wasn’t on my list. Unfortunately I made friends with an old man who gave me a packet of Tim Tams as an early Christmas present, but I think that’s just good karma, and I deserve to eat them :)
I just read this article while watching the Hills and chowing down on a cupcake – I should be working on a project that needs to be finished by tomorrow morning.
This has come at the most opportune time – I’ve been struggling to get things done this school year. It’s weird, but last year I had a schedule where I would come home from school, do my homework right away, then chill for the rest of the night. It worked well; I worked on big projects little by little and had hardly any schoolwork-induced stress, but over the summer I somehow lost that niche I had made and this year has been one procrastination after another. I’m definitely going to try these tips out and see if I feel more inclined to study for my tests.
Thanks Gala! :]
Kirstin’s comment is cracking me up… that’s so me…
Your comment about the pictures on the wall reminded me of a really weird coincidence. When I was at university I used to put a row of pictures torn from magazines on the wall around my bed. One of the pictures stayed up for ages (somewhat embarrassingly, it was an ad for Death Row Records featuring a marijuana leaf filled with an American flag. Random!)
Fast forward more than ten years, and I’m sitting on my fiance’s bed on the other side of the world, looking through his portfolio… finding the EXACT SAME AD. He had designed it, by himself, from scratch — and his then-18-year-old future wife on the other side of the world had ripped it out of a magazine and stuck it on her wall for a year or so. Is that weird or what?
a little off topic, but are you planning on putting more icing day pix and things or maybe post links to other ppl’s photos??? Because its really fun looking at wht people got up 2…
also how did last friday go?? u were supposedly trying a ‘naked’ day lolol
xx
I was studying journalism but I have actually diagnosed ADD, so I spent most of the lectures drawing and most of my study time playing musical instruments and singing, so next year I’ve changed my BA to visual media and am starting a music degree, I am sooooo excited about it that I’ve already brought a folio and starting pasting in all of my inspirations….
If you pick something that you love or that you find yourself obsessing over then its so much easier to do the work, because its something that you do anyway. The only problem is trying to ignore peoples criticisms of your choice to change your life and do something thats a bit of a risk.
I once remember reading somewhere that the thing when you were a kid that you really wanted to be is usually along the right lines of what will make you happy, then again I think I wanted to be a vampire slayering spice girl…
When I was in high school I found it easier to pick something in each subject that I found awe inspiring, like absudism in drama, mental illness and behavior in psychology, revolutions and art in history and metaphors + similes in English…I’ve never had the attention span for literally anything let alone school.
this is very off topic, but i have just been wanting to say it forever, but have not had time to type up a worthy request for it!
please do a beauty post regarding dark circles! in all of your photos, your skin is FLAWLESS and yours are virtually nonexistant and whenever i use concealer i look like a raccoon! if you are ever considering doing another makeup post, consider me. i need help! :)
Getting motivated is something I struggle with at times. I write lists to keep my on track and have post-its with lists all over my desk. Plus post-its with phone numbers, pictures and other stuff. I adore post-its and tiny notebooks.
I think if you need to get motivated about something your not so keen on doing is to reward yourself with something you love. Whatever that may be…lately for me it has been blogging, or knitting but it could be anything including eating something you love or having a sleep!!!
I also find that listening to music while I have to do something Im not so much into doing (Like cleaning my apartment or doing the food shopping or study) helps too.
I loved the artical and have bookmarked it for when I am having a motivation problem.
Thanks gala
Great article, Gala, and as you could probably tell from my comment on your EFT post, I really needed this right now. I’m writing up my thesis which I have been researching for the last 3 years, and I have to motivate myself to write another 50,000 words by next summer. I’m breaking this down into 5,000 words a week, which is a bit more manageable, and I give myself a treat (a mug of special tea, a favourite tv show etc) once I reach 1000 words. I’m getting there slowly but surely. I’m definitely going to try the EFT. I tried it yesterday, and it made me feel a little nauseous, but I’m willing to give it another go!
i keep meaning to try eft! i think i am going to look in to it tonight, my head has been feeling iffy the past few days.
lately i’ve been letting myself fall behind on university work because i’m going out all the time and then when i get home i’ve had two hours sleep and it’s far easier to just go to bed…but i already had some goals (finish this course with a distinction; fine art degree at central st martins london; masters degree at slade; exhibition at the saatchi gallery by 2012!) and i’ll be damned if i don’t do it (i am very competitive, even if it’s only with my own expectations from myself!) xoxo
Gala, thank you so much for this article. I have just handed my notice in at work to pursue a career as Yoga Teacher and Holistic Therapist. I have left a well paid secure job for essentially a risky dream because I was miserable. This article has given me fantastic advice on staying motivated and focused. The point you make about looking at why you are unmotivated is vital. If you are ultimately unhappy with something whether thats your job or any aspect of your life, change it. Happiness cannot be bought or faked. And without happiness a life is only half lived.
Thanks again!! xx
Hi Gala,
I’ve only been reading your website for a few weeks now (heard about it through an article in Cosmopolitan, I believe) but I am already whole-heartedly addicted! I just wanted to thank you for this article in particular because lack of motivation is one of my major weak-points. And even though I know how to go about setting goals and making timetables, it’s always seemed like such a tedious task — but the way you’ve set this out makes it look so simple and even fun! I think I’m going to have to print the article out and stick it on my wall by my desk to help get me through my exams. ;)
Thank you so much again, and keep up your great work! You’re a real inspiration.
xox
hehe! you are fantastic! I tried EFT properly for the first time last night – seemed to go well and I feel pretty good at the moment.
(I drink a lot of water anyway but I must be about 99.99% water after that)
Anyway was planning on tackling motivation/feel of failure in a big way starting today and was just having a quick look through all my favourite happy blogs as I munched my breakfast when what should appear but Gala and her impeccable timing…
Thank you!
xx
Bonjour Gala!
I have recently come across your fantastic site and it has inspired me no end, in all areas of my life. You really are a wonderful human being!
In response to your article on motivation I wonder if I could get in a question if you ever do a follow up… I work very hard generally, and feel fulfilled in all that I do, but sometimes I notice that I am constantly working towards something. For example, I plan to go to university next year and I often find that I put other things aside because of it, telling my self things will be better then and that other stuff can wait until I achieve that goal. Yet once I’ve achieved that goal I quickly find that I’m not satisfied and I’ve created another goal! How can I relax and enjoy what I’m doing now, and the great things going on in my life NOW rather than constantly aspiring to something else?
Help would be most appreciated!
Thanks, keep up the great work =]
x
thanks so much gala!
i have an exam tomorrow, which i am nearly all ready for. however, the last few days i have found it really hard to get motivated. yesterday i was really naughty and spent the whole day out shopping (so i was not only behind, but broke as well).
this article was the pick me up i needed. i am back on track and i feel pretty confident about my exam tomorrow.
i think one of the most important things with motivation and striving for goals is not to beat yourself up. by all means, make a plan and stick to it, but if you have an off day, forgive yourself and resolve to do a better job the next day. we are only human after all.
wow i have been on your website for 2 hrs now and still havnt started my fashion assignment now i have read that i am off….....and i will finish it…......then i will come back….........again….........and again…...............and again….....................and some more!
oh! what a great article! I made a piece of digital art the other day to motivate me and it all happened so spontaneously! In the end the piece of art has made me feel great and more confident to stride on!
Do you wanna see?
Click on my link – it’s my new avatar on my fiikdesign page on myspace
:)
It uses my latest cool makeup art I designed last time I went out!
:)
This has been the best thing I have read in quite some time. It has helped me so so much, my room is now full of giant post-it-notes with goals and motivational phrases! I reward myself with some baking time every time I complete something on my chart. I also get smiley faces from my boyfriend on the chart once it’s complete! I needed something to help me get motivated for my course again and this has done the job fabulously!!
Sunshine and Sparkles
xxxx
I find using a timer can be helpful if I’m struggling with the urge to procrastinate. You can use your microwave timer, or buy one from the kitchen-utensils section of the supermarket. Set the time depending on the job and your reluctance-level. Sometimes just a 5-minute chunk out of a horrible job will either get it done, render it manageable or motivate you sufficiently to keep going for longer. You can do ANYTHING for 15 minutes – give yourself permission to stop when it’s over. Or try the 30/10 ratio: a cycle of 30 minutes of work and 10 minutes of fun until you’re done.
Gala, I am printing this off to stick above my desk! I think it may help me to get on with things. Thank you for another wonderful article.
I am so freaked/excited right now. Through this post I was looking up EFT. I had NEVER heard of this, but have been doing it for years! One day when I was having a horrible headache and just started doing it. It felt so good I just started doing it every time I felt shitty of was having a stressful moment. It was helped me for so long. I am so amazed that other people do this! And it has a name! Thank you for posting this, otherwise I would have never known!