Skill: Taking Action which Leads to Motivation

This morning’s conversation with my teenager is typical. I reminded him that he did not complete his responsibilities, he told me he wasn’t motivated, I told him neither am I, he responded with an eye roll, I told him he needs to focus on all the good stuff he has in his life, he ignored me. Just a typical circle of conversation with my teen, so sad and frustrating.

So this article is dedicated to him and all the other people in the world, like me, who do not feel motivated to do what they know they need to do. 

Truth #1: Action is ALL 

I completely agree that starting small is super important to action success. Taking action is a skill that requires practice. For me to take action I had to spend years gaining new knowledge (hiring an organizer and a coach), creating some guidelines for myself (not turning on the TV or games until I took action), and then practice, practice, practice. I still routinely leave the dishes in the sink but I now do it with clear intent and choice and some healthy boundaries to go along with that choice. I prefer to do the dishes in the morning is one of my boundaries and my favorite house rule is that the person who cooks doesn’t clean.

Just in case you didn’t click the link to this excellent article about action, here is the most important part…

IT’S EASIER TO ACT YOURSELF INTO A BETTER WAY OF FEELING THAN IT IS TO FEEL YOURSELF INTO A BETTER WAY OF ACTING. (CLICK TO TWEET)

Write that down and put it in front of your face.

Truth #2: Motivation is a Myth

A short bonus article: http://sourcesofinsight.com/motivation-or-action-first/

Truth #3: Energy is Key

I seem to have been born into a chronically low energy body. When I was young, and still today, the idea of walking seems terrible. I would rather take a horse or a bike. Morning requires quite a bit of coffee. If exercise is scheduled and someone is expecting me I will show up, otherwise not so much. Being a fairly low energy person means I must pick and choose what and how much I do. My list of energy invoking things includes:

1. Walking & stretching
2. Music (added to the walking and I get a bonus boost)
3. Vitamins & supplements, without these I can’t make it through the day
4. Journaling and daily motivational reading (5-10 minutes a day)
5. Self-hypnosis and/or self-help videos from Youtube
6. Calling or getting together with an upbeat friend or family member

Here is a great article with some more energy ideas: https://www.lifehack.org/813245/lack-of-energy-and-motivation