Do you ever feel like you have SO much to do, but no energy to tackle any of it? From time to time, we find ourselves in slumps and shaking them can be about as hard as it is to turn off Gilmore Girls in the middle of a Netflix binge (anyone else DYING for the new episodes to come out?!). In those times, check out my favorite ways to get motivated, so you can get your sparkle back!
First, let’s be clear on what kind of a slump I’m talking about because there are different levels.
I’m talking about the zero motivation, lost your momentum, frustrated because what you’re doing isn’t working kind of slump. The kind of slump we all experience from time to time, either because of normal day to day life, or relatively small hiccups that throw us for a loop. Even though it might be hard, you can get motivated again with little help.
What I’m not talking about are the big slumps. Messy relationships, low confidence that is affecting your life, a day job that’s making you miserable. Those things require more in-depth changes, complete overhauls. If you feel like you’re in more than a slump, and are downright depressed, please reach out for help. There’s NOTHING wrong with admitting you need some help. In fact, it is so brave!
If you just feel like you need a little pick-me-up to get motivated, check out these tips!
Get Inspired
Inspiration comes in all different forms, and everyone has different things that help pull them out of a slump. Maybe it means having a night out with your best friend to vent and just having someone there to listen and offer a hug leaves you feeling on top of the world. Perhaps researching some public figures you look up to, who have overcome significant things, would pump you up. Sometimes, something as simple as going for a walk and clearing your mind can do the trick. What’s important is to get real with yourself, and think about what REALLY makes you feel ready to take on the world. Whatever it is, do it!
For me, watching videos of people who have overcome things, and scouring Pinterest for inspiring quotes helps! Amy Purdy is someone who always gets me feeling good about overcoming whatever obstacles are holding me back from getting in gear. I also LOVE Sticky Quotes! They are pre-made post it notes with awesome motivational quotes on them, and they are great reminders to stay positive. You can put your favorites in the car, on your bathroom mirror, anywhere! Sometimes I ask my guy to put one somewhere for me to find, so I can be surprised because that is even more of a pick-me-up! (Bonus: they have ones for kids lunch boxes too, which makes making your kids lunch special SUPER easy!)
Set Goals
What do you really want? If you don’t have a clear vision of where you’re going, how the heck do you expect to get there?!
Think about what you plan on achieving, and make a game plan. Take a few hours and eliminate distractions while you do a major brain dump! Break your big goals into small, actionable steps, and (most importantly) FOLLOW THROUGH.
Sometimes, getting into gear takes something as simple as saying “tomorrow I will wake up at 6:15 and do X, Y, Z” and doing it. Experts say it takes 21 days to form a habit, so the first few weeks are always the hardest. But stick with your plans, and your schedule, and eventually you’ll likely get into a great groove!
Here are a few ways to help you stay focused on your goal:
- Tell people about it! Ask to be held accountable. Often, we are less likely to give up when we know other people are expecting us to do something.
- Develop a morning mantra. Write down a quick mantra to remind yourself of what your goal is, and repeat it to yourself out loud every morning.
- Seek support. Join a community, a club…surround yourself with people who have similar goals so you can lean on each other. Look for groups in your area and online!
- Schedule regular check-ins. Once a month, carve out time to sit down and look at your progress. Focus on the measurable data, determine what is working and what isn’t, get in tune with your feelings, and make changes to your plan accordingly.
- Celebrate your wins! This is a big one! Set small goals, and when you hit them, reward yourself! The small victories along the way are sometimes just as important as the end goal itself. The more fun you have, the more likely you’ll be to continue on your journey.
*Disclaimer: it’s important to keep a pulse on your business and to check in regularly, but checking in TOO often, or becoming totally obsessed with the numbers, isn’t good either! Be sure to find a balance!
Expect Setbacks
I don’t know about you, but I rarely snap out of a funk in 30 seconds without ever looking back. Often, it takes a little time and a few missteps before I truly get motivated.
The worst thing you can do is dwell on your setbacks because all that will do is derail you. Eye on the prize, baby!
Think of a diet. If you’re trying to stay off sugar, and you slip and eat a cupcake, does that mean you beat yourself up for days? No! Because when you feel bad, that’s when you slip even more. Suddenly you’re binging on cupcakes, and candy, and are in this downward spiral where you feel like total garbage and have a HARD time trying to get back into your healthy eating routine.
Expect setbacks, and embrace them. Find ways to use them to make you even stronger. When you feel down about yourself, force yourself to find something positive about what you’re doing and remind yourself of that.
Fill Your Love Tank (Often!)
If you feel like junk about yourself, nothing you do will feel stress-free and easy. So, be sure you’re taking time for yourself, often!
I run a business, raise two kiddos, and manage a household, with a guy who works so much that I only see him when he comes home to sleep, but you’d better believe I do a face mask twice a week and read for pleasure most evenings. At least once a month, I host a wine night (even if it includes a bunch of kids running around like loons). If I didn’t, I would go mad, and I wouldn’t be able to manage any of my responsibilities if I was always running on empty.
It’s kind of like what they tell you on an airplane. If there’s an emergency, always put your air mask on first, because you’re not going to do anyone any good if you’re all passed out in your seat!
Enroll in a just for fun class. Wake up a little earlier so you can sip your favorite tea and have 30 minutes to do anything you want (paint your nails, watch TV, workout, sit on the front porch in silence…, really etc.) before the day starts. Use your time in the car to listen to a podcast you love.
Each week, be sure to schedule something special, just for yourself, that makes you happy. Some weeks, when things are stressful, do a few extra fun things!
It’s OK to ditch your schedule on a Tuesday (assuming it won’t affect any clients/customers!) and say the heck with it and spend the day downtown. Have kids? Throw up an out of office note on your email and take the little ones to the zoo for the day, just because. A little change in routine can be great!
There you have it, my favorite ways to get out of a slump and keep the momentum going. What are some of your favorite ways to snap out of it when all you want to do is watch Netflix on the couch in your pajamas for days on end? Shout your favorite ways to get motivated out in the comments!
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