(image by Carrie Waller of Dream Green DIY)
After your positive responses to my post about creative ruts, I decided that today I’m officially starting the column ‘Let’s Chat’. Each post for this column will be about a certain topic; I’ll share my tips and would love to hear from you in the comments. I think there’s a lot we can learn from one another and I can’t wait! Okay, let’s do this:
Now that the holidays are over, I’m finding it a bit hard getting back into the swing of things. I have big dreams for my business and how I’d like it to grow this year, but the day to day has been ROUGH. Not only am I a bit distracted, but I find myself pushing to-do tasks back a day or two, even though I have the time to do them that day. Of course I think this is just a sign of post vacation blues, but it leads to a bigger question. How do you stay motivated? Here are my tips for staying on track:
1. Give yourself time… and don’t feel guilty. I’ve noticed that after small breaks in the day that I have a natural tendency to get back to it. I know it’s hard not to feel guilty about taking time for yourself when there’s a mountain of work, but it really does help. Even treating myself to a walk mid-day helps me refresh my mind instead of letting it continue to burnout.
2. Actively look for inspiration. Part of being motivated is feeling inspired about the work you’re doing. If you’re hearts not in it, it’s easier to think ‘what’s the point’. Surround yourself with things that inspire you. Go to a museum, buy or make something just for yourself, make an inspiration board. Do whatever keeps those creative juices flowing.
3. Give yourself a pep talk. This may sounds cheesy, but it’s really hard to do work when you feel down about yourself or what you’re doing. Remind yourself why it is you’re doing what you’re doing. If that doesn’t work, instead of looking at anyone else’s work, look back on past work and see how you’ve progressed. You kickass. Know it, own it, get shit done. A little positivity goes a long way.
4. Treat yo self. If all else fails, make a rewards system. Or at least watch this Parks and Rec clip.
What helps you stay motivated?