So often you let yourself off the hook by telling yourself, “I don’t feel like it.” Have you ever felt so tired at the end of the day that you didn’t even feel like brushing your teeth? You probably still brushed them.
You are VERY capable of doing things that you don’t like or feel like doing. You do it all the time. Not doing something because you don’t feel like it, is a choice. You are choosing not to do it. In that moment you are also choosing to believe that you can’t do it. This is not true. It’s convenient!
Every day this week, consciously do one thing you don’t feel like doing. It’s important that you acknowledge your feelings. Say to yourself, “I don’t feel like doing this AND I’m going to do it anyway.” Then do it. Notice how this allows you to feel empowered.
Here’s the crux: you can practice doing the things you don’t feel like doing and can get quite good at it. No matter what career you’re following or what you do for a living there will be times in your life when you have to do things that you don’t feel like doing. That’s life. There are however, ways to reduce those tasks through delegation, outsourcing and saying no.
Then, acknowledge your emotions – these are important messages that give you vital information about what is going on in your life. Get into the habit of acknowledging your feelings as opposed to invalidating them. Never say phrases like: “I shouldn’t feel like this.” Your emotions are your truth in that moment. Learn to listen to your feelings and what they’re trying to tell you!
If most of your day is spent doing tasks that you hate – take heed. This may mean that you should be doing something differently. Ask yourself, “If I’m still doing the same thing in 10 years time, will I be happy?” If the answer makes you feel like jumping off the planet – it’s time to take action and make a change. Set a goal and take the necessary steps to bring you to a more fulfilled place. Get the support of a Life Coach if you really don’t know what else to do or how to do it.
You may believe that you have to be motivated first, and then follow with action. Your belief is that you’ll work when you’re motivated. But, motivation is actually a luxury. You DON’T have to have it! You may find that once you sit down and start something, you only then begin to feel motivated. A more true statement is that you will feel motivated once you begin the work. Adopt this belief and you’ll get much more done!
The reason you can do things you “don’t feel like doing” is simply because you decide to do them. When you’re exhausted at night you DECIDE to brush your teeth even though you really don’t feel like it. It’s a choice you’re making.
There may sometimes be a person who is expecting you to do something. You allow yourself to be accountable to others. But what about being accountable to you? It’s much more difficult to do something if you’re doing it for yourself. Planning to write a book? Lose weight? Start a business? Do you find it difficult to get going because you are not motivated? You could wait for years until you feel motivated. The consequences of waiting until you’re motivated are.... nothing. Yes, that’s right – nothing will be achieved if you’re waiting for motivation.
“Don't wait until everything is just right.
It will never be perfect.
There will always be challenges, obstacles
and less than perfect conditions.
So what?”
Mark Victor Hansen
The way to overcome this inertia is twofold:
♦Get your mind right! Understand that motivation is a luxury and a choice. You know how to start something even if you “don’t feel like it”.
♦Then, train yourself to do something small each day that you don’t like doing but that has to get done. Notice how you feel once it’s done. Now tackle bigger projects. Soon you’ll discover that you’re getting things done without noticing whether you’re motivated or not. Acknowledging that you don’t feel like doing something and doing it anyway is a winning mindset.
This is how you teach yourself to be accountable to yourself. Once you are accountable to yourself, you can tackle those projects you’ve been thinking about for years with ease and grace.
“The truth is,
motivation doesn't just appear.
Force yourselves to go
to the gym at first –
over time your body will actually crave a workout!”
Chris Crocker
♦You’re capable of doing something you don’t feel like doing.
♦Empower yourself – acknowledge your feelings AND take action.
♦You’ll feel motivated once you begin the work.
♦If you don’t feel like doing what you should be doing most of your day – take the steps to make a change.
♦You can train yourself to do things you don’t feel like doing.
♦ Motivation is actually a luxury. You DON’T have to have it!
♦ The reason you can do things you don’t feel like doing is simply because you decide to do them.
♦You allow yourself to be accountable to others.
♦You can train yourself to be accountable to you.
♦The consequences of waiting until you’re motivated are.... nothing.
♦ Get your mind right. Acknowledge that you don’t feel like doing something and do it anyway – it’s a winning mindset.
Motivation myths
Myth 1: I have to be motivated before I start working
Not true! See Chapter 2. I just don’t feel like it. Almost every day of your life you do things you don’t really feel like doing. Think of days when you haven’t felt like going to work but you still did. When you believe this statement, you put off doing tasks because you don’t feel like you’re motivated – even though you are quite capable of doing the task.
Myth 2: My boss/company/spouse/another should motivate me
Not true! Take responsibility for motivating yourself. Saying that it’s the company’s fault that they aren’t motivating you is disempowering (for you). You’re NOT likely to get far in life if you believe this. Is your success in life really that dependant on others? Be accountable and responsible for your own success, your own motivation and your own choices.
Myth 3: Fear is a good motivator
Not entirely true! Fear certainly does motivate and can get results. However it’s not always sustainable. And, when fear loses its power, you may start floundering. Fear motivation often causes cyclical successes. For example, let’s say you have a fear of being fat and ugly. You wake up, look in the mirror and you say to yourself, “That’s it, you look dreadful. All that weight is revolting. If you carry on like this you will be obese and no-one will want to be with you.”
Your fear motivates you to do something. You decide to join a weight-loss group and you’re highly motivated. The weight starts dropping slowly and steadily. One day you look in the mirror and you say, “You’re looking great! Look how good those clothes look on you – time to celebrate!” And off you go to a slap-up meal with your