If you've been a reader of this blog for a while, you'll notice a common thread lately. I'm lacking in motivation! Today I'm feeling a bit more active and wanted to create a post for both you and I to reference during those times that "working" just seems too hard.
1) Consider your Goal(s)
Goal setting is an important skill, one that I have been putting to the side lately. Well, its time to get out those markers and make some signage for my office! I need to stay constantly reminded of my goals, in order to keep things ticking along as they should. Its time to make some concrete goals (with deadlines) and keep those in mind on days when I'd rather stare at the wall.
2) Just do it/Small Steps
Nike had something with this slogan, its gotten me through many a tough passages in my life. Sometimes, you just have to get in there and get your hands dirty. It doesn't matter what is created, as long as its something that can, even abstractly, be related to your goals. Small steps is often how I get this accomplished. For example, I have been having trouble "getting going" on a quiltie. I broke it down, literally into steps as small as "clip thread, thread needle" then take a break and walk around a bit, then "tie knot, make one stitch" was the next. Somewhere in the repetitive "take 5 stitches" step, I got going on it and haven't gotten blocked again.
3) No Fear
Another slogan, I miss the tees with this emblazoned all over. Fear is something that gets me down quite frequently. Its as often fear of success as it is fear of failure. Consider your goals, what happens when you reach a goal? Do you celebrate and take some time off, or do you jump right in on a new project, perhaps stemming from what was just completed, and take time off another day? Knowing how you handle completed goals is as important as completing the goal itself. Next time you complete something, do the opposite of your norm, and see how it affects your productivity!
4) Research
Ahh, an excuse to surf the web, or go to the library, or people watch. All those guilty pleasures in one tiny step. Research and learning are the backbones to creating fresh work and having a fresh life, no matter the topic at hand it is crucial to always be learning. Something I plan to research next is "hand washing dishes" for several reasons. 1) I want to be the most effective in this, as food poisoning is one of those things I don't enjoy. 2) I need an excuse to make/buy dishcloths, sponges get too dirty (or do they? Must research cleaning sponges) and 3) I don't want to do the dishes, but I might just get motivated if I find a new technique.
5) Play
Play. It seems so simple-but to me, this is the most important way that I stay motivated. Just all pressure off PLAY. This is how I started with my quiltie project. I wanted to experiment with freeform embroidery but I didn't expect anything to come of it, I very much enjoyed stitching trite little pictures that someone else had drawn. BOY WAS I WRONG. Freeforming it is a completely different medium! And that has led to incorporating fabric, and quilting, and making some of the best work I've made in my life. Goes to show, kids have it right when they just want to play!
What is your favorite way to stay motivated? Does it tie into any of mine? What is one step that you could take today to get closer to your goals?
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