Motivation...or the Lack Thereof

Today, I want to talk about motivation.

Actually, scratch that. Today, I want to talk about lack of motivation.

This is something that we all struggle with from time to time, is it not? There are days that we feel like we have all of the energy in the world to face our goals and responsibilities head on. These are the days that we end feeling fulfilled and productive. Then, there are the days that we would rather jump off of the nearest bridge than do anything remotely worthwhile. Well, maybe not jump off a bridge...but definitely lie in bed with some takeout and a good Netflix marathon.

The more I think about it, the more I realize that there seem to be two types of lack of motivation:

1. The type that is easily cured.
2. The type that seems nearly impossible to cure.

I would say that the "easily cured" type is the most common. This is the type that we feel when we walk in the door at the end of a long day, feeling like we are too exhausted to possibly accomplish anything else. It seems like it will be difficult to overcome this feeling at first. This is the kind of lack of motivation that will lead you to sit down in front of the TV or go to bed early.

However, it is not strong enough to drown out the voice in the back of your mind that is telling you to "do something." Write, craft, create, paint...do whatever it is that you know in your heart you should be working on. Therefore, it is "easily cured" by making yourself work on whatever it is you know you want to be working on. After a few minutes of absorbing yourself in your work, it's hard to even remember how unmotivated you were just a little while before.

The type that is "impossible to cure" though...can be brutal. In circumstances where this comes into play, no amount of positivity or even force can help. During the times that this happens, a person's brain just seems...blank. You try to work and you just can't. You try to think, and you can't. It's like there is a brick wall between you and the things that you want to take care of, and you can't climb over it no matter how hard you try.

How do you overcome the impossible? How do you kick this lack of motivation to the curb?

I hate to say it, but I don't think there is an answer for that. There is no magic solution to altering your attitude sometimes. Maybe there is no cure for this type of lack of motivation because it really isn't about motivation, but more about making sure that you're taking necessary breaks from your hard work. We all need off days to rejuvenate and regroup. And there's nothing wrong with that, as long as it doesn't become an everyday thing.

Learn to listen to your creative conscious. Your mind is your greatest tool, so don't underestimate it when it sometimes resists a little motivation. You have to know when to push yourself, but you also have to learn when NOT to push yourself.

Do you struggle with lack of motivation? What type hinders you the most? Let us know in the comments.

Happy Monday!

-Miranda