Motivation + How To Find It Once It's lost?

This is a topic and something I've struggled with from time to time. When we have a creative pursuit in life, whether is for personal enjoyment or for work, one is bound to find themselves feeling stuck or with a loss of motivation from time to time. Here are some helpful tips to help inspire you and motivate new creative pursuits.

Now, the first thing I found helpful when going through a period of lack of motivation, was to just start. If you are feeling stuck, do something- anything. Ironically, the lack of motivation often arises in individuals when we are feeling overwhelmed by our massive to-do lists. The best way to get the ball moving and regain your motivation is to just start with one thing. Ponder this physics concept: "An object in motion tends to remain in motion along a straight line unless acted upon by an outside force". This is exactly how motivation and creativity work. Once you get the ball moving, it'll keep moving. Your job is just to start the engines back up if you ever find yourself moving off track, here are some other ideas to help get things going and keep your motivation working for you.

Tip # 1: Prioritize your to-do list.

Don't have a to do list? Write one out. This allows all of your thoughts and ideas to be purged out of your mind and placed on paper. This purging out allows for clear thinking and visually seeing what needs to be accomplished. From there- you can begin to prioritize your list from order of importance. This is a great opportunity for you to check in with your family priorities, business and home projects etc. I have this master to-do list which encompasses everything that needs to get done (home projects, cleaning, organizing, work projects/ assignments etc). Seeing this list often gifts us with a spark of motivation to begin crossing things off the list. You may also get excited about projects you forgot about and really want to get done! Give it a try and see if this helps you find your motivation again.

Tip # 2: Word Vomit (Write it all down)

In a journal write down everything...literally. Morning pages is a beautiful exercise I entrain to my coaching clients. When we are feeling a lack of creativity in our life, morning pages helps to facilitate an inner dialogue with ourselves, and from this place, creative thoughts can begin pouring out. The way it works, is that you must write out 2-3 pages of inner dialogue in your journal each morning. It'll most likely feel like a silly activity as first, and your journal entries my include phrases like "i don't know what to write. Nothing is coming up. Today looks like a beautiful day. Perhaps i'll make pancakes. etc etc"... Overtime, these morning pages allow us to purge out our minds of useless chatter which then clears our inner "mind space" for new creative thoughts to come forward. When they do, you'll be there with them, writing them into your journal and poof! You have new creative material!

Tip # 3: Learn to Relax

Take a day to relax. Taking time to do something different when you're feeling overwhelmed can be a powerful tool to help motivate and boost creativity. When we are feeling stressed, our bodies enter fight or flight mode which makes creative thinking very hard to achieve. The creative mind requires a calm body and mind to function smoothly. Take time to meditate and quiet the mind, do some yoga, paint or go for a walk. These are all activities that can help quiet the mind and open you up to creative inspiration.

Tip # 4: Surround yourself with like minded people.

People can be great source of inspiration for each other. We can learn a great deal from others and from being around inspiring individuals. Who inspires you? What do they do? Begin to ask yourself these things and find your community of like minded individuals. Want to learn how to make herbal medicines, find people who do that! Want to find creative inspiration in your painting? Learn from the best and study their paintings. You can surround yourself with inspiring individuals in person or on platform like youtube or online community forums. You can join my community forum HERE. Free resources like pinterest can be a great place to start your motivation or creative journey as well, but be mindful not to get stuck just scrolling around and never actually doing the things or ideas you "pin". Similar ideas go with the people you follow for creative inspiration. Like something or found some new inspiration? Begin asking yourself how you can take action with this idea in your life and how can you tangibly integrate it in your life? Perhaps write action steps in your master to-do list!

Tip # 5: Stop only thinking about yourself & put others needs first.

This can seem odd, especially if one of your reasons for lack of motivation or creativity is a lack of time to tackle your own to-do list, but I promise this step really works. Whenever we're freaking out about our own life, helping others can bring you back to earth and realign you with what is most important. Putting others needs before your own, and placing yourself in a position of serving others can help to reposition your heart. When we get into a self centred position of always prioritizing your own needs, we can often get stuck in our own head space (which is often the problem to begin with). Step outside of yourself and offer your friend a hand with something they need or offer an afternoon to volunteer for a cause you feel passionate towards. This can help you realign your energy and place you in the proper heart space and be advised that only good things come from that place.

I hope these ideas help! If they do, be sure to leave your success stories in the comment section bellow.

Renelle B