What Keeps You Motivated/Or Not?

Objects in motion stay in motion. Isaac Newton, physicist, mathematician

Motivation frequently feels elusive. We’re motivated one day, the next day not so much. If you’re in a down cycle, here are a few tips to help you get motivated.

Look inside. Consider what motivated you in the past, what brings you joy, what speaks to your values.

Start with the details. Be specific about what you want to achieve. Set concrete, measurable goals. Read a book a week, walk a mile a day, plan and cook four nutritious meals a week, clean out three cupboards. 

Just do it! Get up and move. Do something to change your energy. When I sit too long and become lethargic, I get up and do a 20 minute yoga video or put together a chicken salad. 

Take small steps. Focus on first things first. If I considered all the steps it takes to publish a book, I’d never start. Instead, I start by writing a sentence which turns into a paragraph which turns into a chapter. Don’t overwhelm yourself.

Search for flow. Once you find something that makes your heart sing, something that causes you to lose track of time, and you’re “in the flow,”  motivation will cease to be a problem.

Focus on what matters. When we make an effort to expand ourselves whether it’s through cooking a new recipe, reading an interesting book, nurturing a garden or a child, we find ourselves in a state of growth. 

When you’re growing, learning, expanding, you’ll not only be motivated, you’ll be fulfilled.

Coaching questions: What do you do to get or stay motivated? Consider what de-motivates you.

Photo by Peter Aroner on Unsplash

I Raise My Voice! Celebrating Women’s History Month

I raise my voice—not so I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard. Malala Yousafzai,  education activist and youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate

March is National Women’s History Month. The 2024 theme is “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.” 

The theme recognizes women throughout the country who understand that, for a positive future, we need to eliminate bias and discrimination entirely from our lives and institutions.

The National Women’s History Alliance writes, “It takes courage for women to advocate for practical goals like equity, diversity and inclusion when established forces aim to misinterpret, exploit or discredit them. Throughout 2024, we honor local women from the past and present who have taken the lead to show the importance of change and to establish firmer safeguards, practices and legislation reflecting these values. Following decades of discrimination, we are proud to celebrate women who work for basic inclusion, equality and fairness.”

Amen to that!

Affirmation: I will raise my voice and do what I can to make a difference.

Coaching question: What’s one thing you will do this month to advocate for equality, diversity, and inclusion? 

Admitting Defeat

Blank, blank, and blank. Mershon

I’m one day away from writing a blog everyday for a year and I’m coming up with nothing—nothing! How is this possible? I’ve had a good, or not so good, idea for 364 days in a row and today I can’t think of a thing. Is it the first day of daylight savings that’s causing it? Am I at the bottom of the bucket? Who knew there were only 364 ideas in there?

I promise you that tomorrow I will have something meaty for you. Something that will forever change your life—or not. Probably not something funny as humor is my weak spot but perhaps something personal and spicy. Stay tuned.

Affirmation: I can admit defeat.

Coaching questions: How do you handle situations when you come up lacking? What helps you move forward despite the disappointing behavior? How do you affirm yourself?

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Photo by Phil Hearing on Unsplash