(Motivation—everyone needs it, no matter what kind of work you do or dreams you have. Enjoy this guest post about motivation by editor and author Debra L. Butterfield.)
Sometimes it takes all the willpower I can muster to put my butt in the chair and write.
By day I’m a freelance editor/writer and by night an editor for CrossRiver Media. I’m single and my children are grown, but I still have all the household chores to do.
Work, eat, sleep. Work, eat, sleep. My motivation wants to hop a train to Denver, and leave me behind to the comfort of the couch and a mind-numbing DVD.
Because I’m self-employed, I can give in to this lack of motivation for a day. I justify it by telling myself I deserve a day off. But then a day becomes two and sometimes three.
Do you ever have days like that? Weeks maybe where you lack the motivation to work toward your dreams? I’ve come to realize that “me time” keeps my motivation at home where it belongs.
What Causes Lack of Motivation?
The day job and family responsibilities can sabotage our motivation faster than a rattlesnake can strike. Here are several other possibilities:
- Work-life imbalance
- Physical illness/hormone imbalance
- Depression
- Clutter
- Overwhelm
- Discouragement
- Trying to accomplish too many goals at once or perhaps one goal with an unrealistic time frame?
The list could go on and on.
It’s easy for me to work all the time. But that imbalance is one of the first things to trigger a slump.
If you’re feeling unmotivated, take your lunch hour or some time before bed to think about the cause/s. Knowing why will help you take action to fix it.
Sunshine, fresh air, and music motivate me. For that reason, summer is my favorite season, and I take my work outside when I can. I have a quiet time with God every morning as well. Focusing on His goodness and the many blessings He brings lifts my spirit and keeps my motivation intact.
Our culture lauds workaholism, but God didn’t design us for all work and no play. We need to feed our soul with things we enjoy. Take a moment right now and write down 5-10 things that motivate or inspire you. Incorporate those things into your life to spark your creativity and motivation.
How to Move Forward
Too often we don’t create until we feel inspired or motivated. Consequently, nothing gets created. Instead, develop a habit of regular writing (creating your art), be it daily or weekly. The act of creating will ignite your excitement and motivation.
- Create a 90-day goal—just one goal.
- Devise a plan to accomplish it.
- Review your plan daily/weekly.
- Work the plan.
Seeing progress toward that goal will inspire and motivate you to keep moving forward. When you’ve accomplished that goal, set another and establish a plan to reach it.
(I like it! Baby steps—that’s how I work best toward a goal. Be sure to check out Debra’s website and published works. She’s an editor I recommend.)
About Debra L. Butterfield
Debra is the author of 7 Cheat Sheets to Cut Editing Costs, Abba’s Promise, Carried by Grace: a Guide for Mothers of Victims of Sexual Abuse, and Mystery on Maple Hill (a short story e-book). She has contributed to numerous anthologies. She is a freelance editor and editor for CrossRiver Media Group and blogs about writing at DebraLButterfield.com.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DebraLButterfieldAuthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DebrasBlog
Books are available on Amazon.
Bird Face Wendy 
Thanks for having me, Cynthia. Sure wish I lived close enough to the ocean to enjoy that walk along the beach you showed u.
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One of the places writers tend to go on mental vacation. I can’t actually tolerate much sun, so that’s all I can do. 🙂
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I get depressed when I don’t get sunshine. So sorry you are unable to enjoy it. A mental vacation is a great idea.
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Deb, I enjoy the amount I receive tending to my herb garden in the mornings. 🙂
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It is hard to be creative when you have so much daily chores to accomplish. I know it is hard for me to sit behind my desk when the weather outside is lovely. I want to be outside enjoying it instead of being in my office working.
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I too am easily distracted. Writing is not my first love each and every day, as it appears to be for some authors. Thank you for commenting, Catherine!
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