My Top 5 Ways To Get Motivated

We all have those moments, phases, seasons in life where motivation is scarce and we just can't seem to get anything done.

Don't get me wrong, I think there are times where it's really important to stop, rest and re-energise but it can sometimes lead us down this slippery slope where we stay getting nothing done, and in turn, lose all motivation to get going again.

Today's post offers 5 things that I find help me when I'm lacking motivation, and hopefully it might be useful for you too!


1. Do Something You Enjoy

Now, whilst this might sound unfocused and unproductive I do think it's really important. I know that when I'm unmotivated it often coincides with having not got out of the house much or seen any friends for a while. Sometimes to get ourselves back to being motivated we need to start with feeling a little happier in ourselves, so find what you enjoy and spend some time doing it. It could be going to the gym, hanging out with friends, taking a day trip, baking or practising guitar. If you don't know what you enjoy send some time trying different things out and see what works for you.

2.  Eat Well, Sleep Well
At the risk of sounding like your Doctor, or worse, your Mother... it's hard to be focused and motivated if you're tired and fuelling your body with rubbish. In the same way as making sure we're OK and, generally speaking, happy we need to make sure we're giving ourselves the best chance and properly looking after ourselves holistically if we want to reach those goals or achievements. If you're not in a good sleeping pattern this might take some time to adjust to but you will reap the benefits. They say anything between 7-9hrs sleep a night is good and the way our bodies are made it helps to sleep when its dark and wake when it's light (for those of you who get 8 hours sleep from 3am-11am) - there's lots of research about it, you might want to check it out.

Fooooooooood mmmmmmm, Food is great, especially the treats and the convenience that microwave meals and takeaways bring but I think we've all experience the post food slump, and the sugar lows when these equate to the majority of our food intake. I'm totally not saying to go super healthy, but to just think about what you're eating in terms of brain food. Don't have a big scrumptious Sunday roast that's covered in a rich creamy gravy and then expected to get your to-do list done - you're going to have a nap, we all are.





3.Get Inspired
Now that we've got the basic take-care-of-yourself sorted and we're feeling happier in general it's time to get inspired. I think one of the easiest ways to do this is to watch, or talk to, someone who inspires you - and this could be just in general and might not have anything to do with whatever you are wanting to be motivated for. So it might be listening to a TED talk or watching your favourite YouTuber, it could be talking to your friends or a mentor. Find out what makes you leave feeling excited for life and ready to get going. Thinking more specifically for those of you who have something specific you want to find the motivation for; it might be to become better at your art-form or sport, it could be that you want to set up a business or blog. In this instance I would recommend walking to or watching those who are a little further ahead than you are in the area you want to improve. By looking just a little further ahead you can really get inspired by the possibility and reality ahead of you and should make you want to get working. Avoid looking at someone who is much further down the line or has been doing it for much longer, this can sometimes be overwhelming, know what you need to see, and not see.

4.  Listen to "That Song" 
I grew up in a musical family, but I think everyone, even the least musical of humans absolutely love a 1 or 2 songs. We talk about getting party music on to get us ready for a night out, but I wholeheartedly believe the right song at the right time can get things change. Therefore, my advice to you is keep a mental note of a few songs that make you feel invincible. You know what I mean right? Those songs that by the end you genuinely feel like you could take on the world. No problem is too big, no person too intimidating for you to do whatever it is you feel you were born to do. When lacking motivation go and get your headphones and listen to that song...

5. Plan & Step
And finally, make some plans. It sounds simple, but if you aren't motivated plans are hard to produce. So now that you're super motivated write down smaller goals that will take you to your end goal! Be realistic and commit to a time frame that you want to work to. Once the plan is in place...
...take the first step. It sounds simple, but so often what stops people going for the things they want is not being able to take that first step. Keep hold of what you want it to look like years down the line but accept that it won't be like when you start, and that's how it should be. Whether training in a sport or starting a business the time in between point A (where you are now) and point Z (where you want to be) is crucial for learning, discovering, adjusting and growing. You will improve, but not until you start.



So get motivated, get inspired and GO FOR IT. Give it everything you've got, and on the way, encourage others to do the same.

I've always been one of those people that has loads of cool ideas but never does any of them. I fail before I start. Starting up this blog took me 3 years, because in my head I saw it a particular way and knew it was going to take time to get there but I got fed up of only having ideas. If you're anything like me then talk to a couple of people you trust about your idea and let them ask you how it's going every now and then...sometimes the pressure of not wanting to say "I haven't done anything" every time they ask is enough to make that first step...

I'd love to hear any tips you have for getting, or staying motivated. I'd also LOVE to hear what song makes you feel you can take on the world!

Yours faithfully,
Jen
x


(All photos taken from Pinterest. I do not own them)

The Pressure of Perfection (part 2)

Embracing Your Imperfection

Yep.. that's right, you're imperfect, but guess what, so am I, so are your role models and so is everybody else.

In my last blog post I really just skimmed the surface of how social media, and how we are wired, can set us up to strive for that impossible perfection. I think an important part of releasing ourselves from the weight of that is to identify, acknowledge and embrace our imperfections. This doesn't mean that if a couple of your imperfections are that you're rude and horrible to people that you should embrace them - that's the kind of rubbish you work through sorting out... that's not OK...

We have to accept that we aren't always going to hit the mark, but that wherever we're at we ALL have a lot of good to give - yes, even that horrible girl who's been awful to you for years - she has something good to give too.

Something I have found really interesting and helpful in learning about myself is taking personality tests. There are a load of different types of personality tests but I think one of the most popular and easiest to understand is the Myers Briggs test. If you haven't heard of the Myers Briggs test it's a questionnaire you fill in that then indicates your psychological preferences for how you make decisions and perceive the world. Of course, to get an accurate answer you need to answer honestly, which can be hard. You can take this test online (I would recommend using https://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test) and then you can read up on your personality type including how you relate to friends and family, how you might act in the work place, career wise and more. It also highlights some of you strengths and weakness and can be very revealing - I laughed quite a lot at how accurate it was. Sometimes it's really helpful to see some of your tendencies explained, both the good and bad, and why. Obviously there's a bigger variety of character's in the world than 16... these types are just indicators of how we might process things so don't let your answer let you feel like you've been confined to it's assessment, but use the bit that you can agree with and let it help you to assess where you are and what you want to change or work on - knowing why you behave a certain way is really important if you are wanting to change it for good. Lastly on the personality tests, sometimes it can be helpful to let a friend or family member read through the information on your type after the test as they can sometimes see things more clearly than you - it can also help strengthen relationships when we can understand why people behave the way they do, again in the good and the bad.

As we all know, each one of us is on a journey and have different gifts, talents and downfalls, but we often don't know what's really going on with people behind the scenes - so be kind and try and be gracious. The journey itself, like any adventure, can be hard, tough and wild sometimes but there's definitely beauty in it, even if we only see it in hindsight.

(from Pinterest)



Never underestimate the power of vulnerability and humility. Don't be ashamed when you're struggling, don't fear asking for help, admit you're wrong when you need to and don't be too proud to apologise. Some of the strongest people I know let tears flow freely and admit when they're fearful. They're aware of their weaknesses but don't let them define them, and they say sorry when it's right to however hard it is to say.

Remember we're all imperfect, all fighting demons and in the words of High School Musical... we;re all in this together.

Yours faithfully,
Jen x