Question of the Day: How Do You Handle Lack of Motivation?

by Mandi on April 14, 2009

source: untitled projects

source: untitled projects

I suppose I could make this a poll, but I’d rather hear from you in the comments, and I’ve posted my response to get the conversation rolling (so please don’t leave me hanging!)…

How do you handle those days when you just can’t seem to get motivated?

Do you push through and go about your to-do list as usual? Do you curl up with some hot chocolate and a good book or movie? Do you take a walk?

And a related question is this: Do you view lack of motivation as something to push through anyway, or do you take it as a signal that you need a break (assuming that you’re normally a motivated person) and take one?

(Side note: Meatier posts coming tomorrow and for the rest of the week, but today is a very big day for us. I’ll be back to tell you more about it later!)

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Tagged as: questions of the day

  • Mandi

    Usually, I tend to be a pretty motivated person, so on those days that I’m just not feeling it, I take a break, curl up with a good book or my Google Reader and just relax. I find that I find my motivation more quickly if I take that time for myself rather than just trying to push through.

    So, how about you?

  • Mandi

    Usually, I tend to be a pretty motivated person, so on those days that I’m just not feeling it, I take a break, curl up with a good book or my Google Reader and just relax. I find that I find my motivation more quickly if I take that time for myself rather than just trying to push through.

    So, how about you?

  • Mandi

    Usually, I tend to be a pretty motivated person, so on those days that I’m just not feeling it, I take a break, curl up with a good book or my Google Reader and just relax. I find that I find my motivation more quickly if I take that time for myself rather than just trying to push through.

    So, how about you?

  • http://frugalgossip.com Kim

    It depends on if it is true lack of motivation or if I am trying to avoid doing something. Sometimes I convince myself I am not motivated to work when in fact I am deep down avoiding the next item on my to do list because it is difficult. After sitting down and looking at the next item on my list I focus on why I don’t want to do it. If it is because the weather is nice and I want to take a walk I go for a walk. If I get that sinking feeling in my chest reading the item on the list I take one step towards completing it and see if that motivates me to continue.

    Kim’s last blog post…Walgreens Deals 4/19 – 4/25

  • http://frugalgossip.com Kim

    It depends on if it is true lack of motivation or if I am trying to avoid doing something. Sometimes I convince myself I am not motivated to work when in fact I am deep down avoiding the next item on my to do list because it is difficult. After sitting down and looking at the next item on my list I focus on why I don’t want to do it. If it is because the weather is nice and I want to take a walk I go for a walk. If I get that sinking feeling in my chest reading the item on the list I take one step towards completing it and see if that motivates me to continue.

    Kim’s last blog post…Walgreens Deals 4/19 – 4/25

  • http://frugalgossip.com Kim

    It depends on if it is true lack of motivation or if I am trying to avoid doing something. Sometimes I convince myself I am not motivated to work when in fact I am deep down avoiding the next item on my to do list because it is difficult. After sitting down and looking at the next item on my list I focus on why I don’t want to do it. If it is because the weather is nice and I want to take a walk I go for a walk. If I get that sinking feeling in my chest reading the item on the list I take one step towards completing it and see if that motivates me to continue.

    Kim’s last blog post…Walgreens Deals 4/19 – 4/25

  • http://www.household-management-101.com Taylor at Household Management

    Depends on why I am not motivated. If I am exhausted, I know I just need to take a break so I can get back to it later. If, like Kim above, I am really just trying to avoid something I need to figure out why. Maybe I don’t know how to do it and need to take some steps to learn, or maybe it is so big, and I need to break it down into smaller steps, etc. You get the idea. I guess I just take each lack of motivation moment separately and just deal with them individually.

    Taylor at Household Management 101’s last blog post…Apr 14, Homemade Cleaning Supplies – What You Need To Create Your Own Homemade Cleaning Products

  • http://www.household-management-101.com Taylor at Household Management

    Depends on why I am not motivated. If I am exhausted, I know I just need to take a break so I can get back to it later. If, like Kim above, I am really just trying to avoid something I need to figure out why. Maybe I don’t know how to do it and need to take some steps to learn, or maybe it is so big, and I need to break it down into smaller steps, etc. You get the idea. I guess I just take each lack of motivation moment separately and just deal with them individually.

    Taylor at Household Management 101’s last blog post…Apr 14, Homemade Cleaning Supplies – What You Need To Create Your Own Homemade Cleaning Products

  • http://www.household-management-101.com Taylor at Household Management 101

    Depends on why I am not motivated. If I am exhausted, I know I just need to take a break so I can get back to it later. If, like Kim above, I am really just trying to avoid something I need to figure out why. Maybe I don’t know how to do it and need to take some steps to learn, or maybe it is so big, and I need to break it down into smaller steps, etc. You get the idea. I guess I just take each lack of motivation moment separately and just deal with them individually.

    Taylor at Household Management 101’s last blog post…Apr 14, Homemade Cleaning Supplies – What You Need To Create Your Own Homemade Cleaning Products

  • http://www.mommysideabook.com/ Amanda @ Mommy’s Idea Book

    I usually ask myself how long it will take to finish whatever the task.

    Then I try to imagine that far into the future and think about how good it will feel to know I’m finished with the task. In other words, if the task will take 2 hours, I tell myself that in 2 hours, it will be done and I can forget about.

    That may sound silly, but it somehow works for me.

    Amanda @ Mommy’s Idea Book’s last blog post…Get Up, Get Moving, and Get Sexy, Part 1

  • http://www.mommysideabook.com/ Amanda @ Mommy’s Idea Book

    I usually ask myself how long it will take to finish whatever the task.

    Then I try to imagine that far into the future and think about how good it will feel to know I’m finished with the task. In other words, if the task will take 2 hours, I tell myself that in 2 hours, it will be done and I can forget about.

    That may sound silly, but it somehow works for me.

    Amanda @ Mommy’s Idea Book’s last blog post…Get Up, Get Moving, and Get Sexy, Part 1

  • http://www.mommysideabook.com/ Amanda @ Mommy’s Idea Book

    I usually ask myself how long it will take to finish whatever the task.

    Then I try to imagine that far into the future and think about how good it will feel to know I’m finished with the task. In other words, if the task will take 2 hours, I tell myself that in 2 hours, it will be done and I can forget about.

    That may sound silly, but it somehow works for me.

    Amanda @ Mommy’s Idea Book’s last blog post…Get Up, Get Moving, and Get Sexy, Part 1

  • http://www.clarke-family.net/brittany Britt

    I pout…complain…find something “more important” to do…lol.

    However, that’s usually at the end of the day. I’ve recently tried tackling all of my “jobs” in the morning (or before 12pm). Yesterday, I cleaned the whole house…this is major for me! I’ve also made sure dinner is ready to go, rather than scrambling around at 4pm.

    So, early morning motivates me. I have energy and since I don’t want to waste it, I may as well put it to good use :)

    Britt’s last blog post…Monday!

  • http://www.clarke-family.net/brittany Britt

    I pout…complain…find something “more important” to do…lol.

    However, that’s usually at the end of the day. I’ve recently tried tackling all of my “jobs” in the morning (or before 12pm). Yesterday, I cleaned the whole house…this is major for me! I’ve also made sure dinner is ready to go, rather than scrambling around at 4pm.

    So, early morning motivates me. I have energy and since I don’t want to waste it, I may as well put it to good use :)

    Britt’s last blog post…Monday!

  • http://www.clarke-family.net/brittany Britt

    I pout…complain…find something “more important” to do…lol.

    However, that’s usually at the end of the day. I’ve recently tried tackling all of my “jobs” in the morning (or before 12pm). Yesterday, I cleaned the whole house…this is major for me! I’ve also made sure dinner is ready to go, rather than scrambling around at 4pm.

    So, early morning motivates me. I have energy and since I don’t want to waste it, I may as well put it to good use :)

    Britt’s last blog post…Monday!

  • http://chainsofyesterday.com Kay

    I procrastinate. That seems to be what I do best :)
    I have tons of plans in my head, things I want to do, lists miles long on paper, so I get overwhelmed, and am left with ZERO motivation. I’m going to keep coming back to this one to read the comments, because I’m trying to find a solution to that that doesn’t involve curling up with my computer while the house falls down around me.
    Right now I’m starting the “Do ONE Thing Today” approach. Take that big (or little) “but I don’t WANNA do that” task and make it my must do for the day. All the other projects/tasks on my list are secondary. Once I get past the hurdle of starting, I tend to keep going. We’ll see how that goes.
    Kay

    Kay’s last blog post…The basis of optimism is sheer terror

  • http://chainsofyesterday.com Kay

    I procrastinate. That seems to be what I do best :)
    I have tons of plans in my head, things I want to do, lists miles long on paper, so I get overwhelmed, and am left with ZERO motivation. I’m going to keep coming back to this one to read the comments, because I’m trying to find a solution to that that doesn’t involve curling up with my computer while the house falls down around me.
    Right now I’m starting the “Do ONE Thing Today” approach. Take that big (or little) “but I don’t WANNA do that” task and make it my must do for the day. All the other projects/tasks on my list are secondary. Once I get past the hurdle of starting, I tend to keep going. We’ll see how that goes.
    Kay

    Kay’s last blog post…The basis of optimism is sheer terror

  • http://chainsofyesterday.com Kay

    I procrastinate. That seems to be what I do best :)
    I have tons of plans in my head, things I want to do, lists miles long on paper, so I get overwhelmed, and am left with ZERO motivation. I’m going to keep coming back to this one to read the comments, because I’m trying to find a solution to that that doesn’t involve curling up with my computer while the house falls down around me.
    Right now I’m starting the “Do ONE Thing Today” approach. Take that big (or little) “but I don’t WANNA do that” task and make it my must do for the day. All the other projects/tasks on my list are secondary. Once I get past the hurdle of starting, I tend to keep going. We’ll see how that goes.
    Kay

    Kay’s last blog post…The basis of optimism is sheer terror

  • Amy

    I am like Brittany… if I can get up early in the morning, I can get “everything” accomplished, as long as I have several cups of coffee to keep me company!

    When I am unmotivated, I try to get the girls involved in an activity outside of the area I need to get under control. Then, I grab something to drink and/or a snack, and sit down and make a list of exactly what needs to be done. This gives me energy, a break, and a few minutes of “thinking time” to clear myself of distractions so I can get the job done.

  • Amy

    I am like Brittany… if I can get up early in the morning, I can get “everything” accomplished, as long as I have several cups of coffee to keep me company!

    When I am unmotivated, I try to get the girls involved in an activity outside of the area I need to get under control. Then, I grab something to drink and/or a snack, and sit down and make a list of exactly what needs to be done. This gives me energy, a break, and a few minutes of “thinking time” to clear myself of distractions so I can get the job done.

  • Amy

    I am like Brittany… if I can get up early in the morning, I can get “everything” accomplished, as long as I have several cups of coffee to keep me company!

    When I am unmotivated, I try to get the girls involved in an activity outside of the area I need to get under control. Then, I grab something to drink and/or a snack, and sit down and make a list of exactly what needs to be done. This gives me energy, a break, and a few minutes of “thinking time” to clear myself of distractions so I can get the job done.

  • http://www.dnqsolutions.com Diane

    I am like Mandi – if I am really not motivated to complete a task I will take a break. Sometimes while I am on my break an idea of how to better complete the task I am avoiding will occur to me and that helpd me get back to it. Walking away and clearing my head can be a really great motivator for me.

  • http://www.dnqsolutions.com Diane

    I am like Mandi – if I am really not motivated to complete a task I will take a break. Sometimes while I am on my break an idea of how to better complete the task I am avoiding will occur to me and that helpd me get back to it. Walking away and clearing my head can be a really great motivator for me.

  • http://www.dnqsolutions.com Diane

    I am like Mandi – if I am really not motivated to complete a task I will take a break. Sometimes while I am on my break an idea of how to better complete the task I am avoiding will occur to me and that helpd me get back to it. Walking away and clearing my head can be a really great motivator for me.

  • http://organisingtips.blogspot.com Marcia Francois from Organisin

    It depends. If I’m not motivated because I’m not feeling well (like at times during this pregnancy) then I go with it because my babies are the most important thing.

    But usually I trick myself and say “you only have to do 15 minutes” – sometimes that’s all it needs but most of the time, the momentum carries me forward and I get my “mojo” back.

    BTW< congrats on your little girl

  • http://organisingtips.blogspot.com Marcia Francois from Organisin

    It depends. If I’m not motivated because I’m not feeling well (like at times during this pregnancy) then I go with it because my babies are the most important thing.

    But usually I trick myself and say “you only have to do 15 minutes” – sometimes that’s all it needs but most of the time, the momentum carries me forward and I get my “mojo” back.

    BTW< congrats on your little girl

  • http://organisingtips.blogspot.com Marcia Francois from Organising Queen

    It depends. If I’m not motivated because I’m not feeling well (like at times during this pregnancy) then I go with it because my babies are the most important thing.

    But usually I trick myself and say “you only have to do 15 minutes” – sometimes that’s all it needs but most of the time, the momentum carries me forward and I get my “mojo” back.

    BTW< congrats on your little girl

  • http://designbykendall.com/wordpress Kendall @ Kendall’s Entertaini

    20 minute power naps are my secret weapon!

  • http://designbykendall.com/wordpress Kendall @ Kendall’s Entertaini

    20 minute power naps are my secret weapon!

  • http://designbykendall.com/wordpress Kendall @ Kendall’s Entertaining Life

    20 minute power naps are my secret weapon!

  • Muhammad

    For some reason im only motivated when writing a DETAILED list and when thinking about taking care of the tasks listed. Once i get started that motivation seems to deminish. I dont how to combat this motivation issue but its really keeping me from acomplishing goals……Its strange how i know exactly how to take care of these things but i cant force myself to DO them.

  • Muhammad

    For some reason im only motivated when writing a DETAILED list and when thinking about taking care of the tasks listed. Once i get started that motivation seems to deminish. I dont how to combat this motivation issue but its really keeping me from acomplishing goals……Its strange how i know exactly how to take care of these things but i cant force myself to DO them.

  • Muhammad

    For some reason im only motivated when writing a DETAILED list and when thinking about taking care of the tasks listed. Once i get started that motivation seems to deminish. I dont how to combat this motivation issue but its really keeping me from acomplishing goals……Its strange how i know exactly how to take care of these things but i cant force myself to DO them.

  • http://twitter.com/HappyLHomemaker Happy Lil Homemaker

    This was great fun!  Thanks!

  • http://ingoodcents.com Beth @ In Good Cents

    Thanks for organizing this, Mandi.  It was fun.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Dani-Stobbs-Gallipeau/503153584 Dani Stobbs-Gallipeau

    awesome time doing this, and cant wait for the next one!

  • http://www.evolutiontosimplicity.blogspot.com Kathirynne

    This was so much fun!  Thanks for all your hard work in organizing this.

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