Is Lack of Motivation Stopping You From Getting Things Done?

If you’re sitting at your desk with a “To Do List” a mile long, but you can’t find the motivation to tackle it, keep reading. By the end of this article, you will hopefully reclaim your motivation and enthusiasm.

How is it that some days it feels as if you have enough motivation to conquer the world, yet other days, the smallest task seems to drain the life out of you? The answer is simple: motivation is fueled by your level of desire and commitment, and when your desire and commitment falls, so does your motivation.

Have you ever been so engrossed by something you loved every second of it and lost track of all time? Your desire and commitment was so high, that time became non-existent, when in reality, several hours had passed.

Think back to the days when you were in school. I’m sure there were subjects that you thoroughly enjoyed, and others you disliked. Which subjects were easier for you to complete? By far, the subjects that you enjoyed were easier because you were committed and had a desire to learn that subject. When you’re committed, you’re motivated.

So how do you deal with lack of motivation for tasks that you dislike, yet must be done?

There are only two ways to get motivated: push or pull. Push is when you’re motivated into action by fear; pull is when you are motivated into action by desire. Ideally, you should always be motivated by positive reinforcement; that’s when your desire pulls you forward. Although being motivated by push works some of the time, it is obviously driven by fear, which is a negative reinforcement - and the least desirable.

Think of something that you recently procrastinated on and put off. Did you finally take action from fearing the outcome if you didn’t take action or the excitement of desiring the outcome if you did take action? Which feeling - fear or desire - do you take action from most often?

If you are motivated by desire most of the time - you’re on the right track. However, if you answered fear, you probably frequently procrastinate on getting things done. This not only hurts your personal growth, it also can be devastating to your success. It could be due to the fear of the outcome, uncertainty or a lack of self-confidence.

The good news is that your lack of motivation can be resolved with only a shift in thinking. Consider the following three tips:

1. Motivation is Contagious
The best way to change how you approach getting things done, even if you don’t enjoy the task, is to surround yourself with positive role models. We all know that the most successful entrepreneurs are pros at motivating themselves - and others. They have to be because when you’re your own boss, there’s no one to force you into action, so, they learn to do it themselves.

Action Step #1:
Find a successful entrepreneur who is a pro at self-motivation and learn as much as you can from them. Pay special attention to how they keep their motivation high and what they do to get themselves out of a slump.

2. Steer Clear of “Drag-Me-Downs”
As an entrepreneur, you’re different than the “average Joe” so to speak, who enjoys living in mediocrity. It’s important to keep this in mind when you are exposed to people or places that drag you down or hold you back. They may be friends, family, peers, or places that are meaningful for you, but they drag you down, make you go back to thinking “small” or question your “deservedness” of your goals.

Action Step #2:
Limit your exposure to people or places that drag you down. Doing this doesn’t make them less important and it certainly doesn’t mean that they are not special to you, but as an entrepreneur, it’s important that you stay motivated and positive because your success is riding on your ability to continually propel yourself forward.

3. When You Can’t Get Out of a Frump
People who are giddy 24/7 are a rare breed, and for most of us, we have days when we don’t feel like doing what we’re supposed to do, no matter how much we try to convince ourselves to tackle it. We try to get into the groove, but can’t seem to rally the motivation. The more you try, the more frustrated you become, and that depletes any last spark of motivation you had.

There will always be things that need to be done - even if you don’t feel like doing them. If you can approach getting things done with the right perspective and motivation, they will be much easier to handle and you’ll get them done much faster. As Peter Vidmar says, “To be an Olympic Champion you only need to work out two times. When you feel like it, and when you don’t feel like it.”

Action Step #3:
If your day is stuck in a frump, the best thing to do for you and your business is to step away from it. Do what makes you happy so you can come back to getting things done with a clear focus and content heart. Go do something that feeds your soul and refuels your motivation. It can be anything you enjoy. Refueling your motivation is essential to your health and happiness, so when you’re feeling empty, stop everything and do something for you.

In addition, stay focused on the results! How does your choice to complete or procrastinate help or hurt your ability to achieve your goals? Asking this question will help bring clarity and reconnect you with your desire for achieving your goals, motivating you out of your slump.