How to motivate yourself when you don't feel like it. One trick that actually works...
The funny thing about feeling motivated is that the motivation doesn't usually come first, and then you take action. It's the other way around. When you take small actions, even if you don't feel like it, the motivation then comes.
Have you noticed that?
Take exercise for example. Have you started exercising even when you didn't feel like it (like always) and then felt motivated afterwards? Maybe you even decided to exercise longer than you planned? Or maybe you started cleaning out the junk drawer, and definitely didn't feel like it, but you felt good when it was done. Maybe you even felt motivated to clean out another drawer. Have you heard of the Marie Kondo organizing craze? She understands how to motivate others to organize their lives and she has a 10 Minute Declutter Exercise!
The point is the motivation often comes after the doing - not before.
An object in motion stays in motion (and an object at rest stays at rest!)
- Newton's Law
So the trick to get going is to commit to 10 minutes of action, even if you don't feel like it. 10 minutes of exercise, tidying up, reading, writing, meditating, connecting, preparing healthier meals, spending time outside, facing your fears. Anything!
This gets the momentum going. Small steps on a consistent basis keep you moving ahead - even if it's 10 minutes at a time.
Of course 10 minutes is the minimum required. If you achieve the goal of 10 minutes, you'll probably be motivated to do more.
10 minutes a day is 60 hours a year. Imagine what you could accomplish by committing to just 10 minutes a day.
I did a quick Google search and found links to 10 minutes motivators to transform your body, learn math skills, change your life, organize, learn a language, exercise, lose weight, write, boost heart health, job search, meditate, EFT (tapping - of course!), and improve memory.
Some of my favorite ways to motivate myself to engage in self-care is by using this 10 minute motivation method. I have HIIT training DVDs that are divided into 10 minute segments, 10 minute YouTube videos for tapping, or 10 minute Yoga practice. Of course, I actually spend around 30 minutes on exercise and Yoga, but it's very easy to commit to 10 minutes each morning to get started. Now, I don't have to think about the commitment anymore. I engage in the actions because it's a habit that I have come to actually enjoy. I look forward to it because of the positive aftereffects!
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.- Aristotle.
10 minutes can lead you onwards - just repeat the process, one day at a time. Often the hardest part is making the decision to get started. Pay less attention to your thoughts - I don't feel like it, I'm tired, I don't have time - and pay more attention to the behavior you want to do and simply commit to 10 minutes.
Just think of any achievements you have had in your own life or something that you're good at. It could be anything - making friends, creating art, good listener, jogging, singing. You may take these things for granted. But ask yourself: Did I put sustained effort into that accomplishment? I'm guessing that you did - you made it a priority and your consistent actions have led to your success.
Every action brings results in the end. Action is magic - even 10 minutes a day!
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Beth Matthews is a Registered Psychologist who is driven to help people feel better about themselves. She can help you if you are struggling in your life. You can learn easy-to-use strategies to help you cope with anything that comes your way.
matthews77@shaw.ca
780-721-9157
