We all have days when we just don’t feel it. You know the ones I’m talking about. Can’t get out of bed. Feel like you’re in a fog. Ask yourself a hundred times “Why do I bother?”
But you’ve got a deadline looming or kids to feed or a threatening avalanche on your desk, and you have to do it even if you don’t feel it. How do you get past that?
I have to confess, I’m having one of those days. So this is just as much for me as it is for you. Here’s what I’m going to do.
Breathe.
I’m going to do what I can to calm the physical side effects of this day. Slow my frantic pace. Get my body working the right way again. A brain won’t work properly if the body is going haywire.
Take a Step Back.
I’m going to take a minute to look at the big picture of what needs to be done today. I’m going to reevaluate priorities, maybe whittle my to do list down to the essentials, and identify steps to complete what I need to do.
Take a Step Forward.
Now I’m going to take one thing from that list and start it, whether I feel like it or not, knowing I’ll feel better after I do it. I’m not going to think about the other stuff yet. Just this one thing. (My one thing right now is this blog, and it’s almost done!) 🙂
Pause.
I’m going to do something to reward myself for finishing that one thing. Not enough to derail the rest of the day, but enough to celebrate the small victories. I’ll also reflect on my little accomplishment and be thankful for what I’ve got and what I can do.
Repeat.
I’m going to repeat the process until I get this day done. I know from experience that I’ll feel better when I do.
I hope this helps you if you’re in the same spot I am. 🙂 Feel free to comment if you have some tips yourself.
Erin E. M. Hatton 
Thanks. I needed this today.
Awesome! Glad to help. 🙂
Hey Erin!! Thanks so much for sharing. I often feel that way – no motivation. A list is a great tool for me – very visual, and great to celebrate accomplishments! I also find that setting a timer is helpful – you can do almost anything for 15 minutes!
Agreed. I use the timer a lot. 🙂 (Great to see you on here, Marya! I like your blog, too!)
I know we all have days like that. Often they seem to be Mondays. I’m having one too. Can’t believe it is afternoon and I’m still working on the first item of my day. Like idea and I’m off to start breathing.
Great, Heather! Sometimes breathing is all we can get done, too. Just take it one step at a time. 🙂
Thanks! I am this way all too often lately. you are inspiring.
Aw, thanks! 🙂
Last week I had no motivation to get up before the crack of dawn to attend a Chamber of Commerce meeting. All I wanted to do was pull the covers over my head and continue my sleep. But, I imagined would happen if I didn’t go, and then imagined what would happen if I did. So, I gave myself a pep talk, got out of bed, drove 20 minutes to the meeting and left with two new client leads. Glad I listened to myself.
Good for you! 🙂
every monday starts with when will next friday come. nice tips to start monday 🙂
Thanks! 🙂