Tossly

“Ability is what you’re capable of doing.

Motivation determines what you do.

Attitude determines how well you do it.”

- Lou Holtz, legendary Notre Dame Football Coach

It’s ironic as I sit here and write this post about motivation. I’m not motivated.

It’s not that I don’t have something to say or want to share it, I do. But today I’m thinking about what I don’t have and feeling the opposite of motivated … blocked and discouraged.

Have you ever felt that way?

Imagine having the seeds of ability and attitude that might grow to more, but not having the energy to plant them. The action that is necessary is clear … but its course is cloudy.

There is no single sharp edge that has cut and clouded my motivation.

I have not been slammed with illness, loss, or the death of someone close. Those have their own steps in the classic 7 stages of grief, which can be needed to get through the loss of a job, or the loss of a loved one.

If you are in one of those stages, god speed and much love. Though I know it’s easier to say than to recognize in the moment – you will be better.

As to my lack of motivation, the only personal change that is clear to me is an attempt to take my writing to new levels. To better capture and share my feelings so they might be more helpful to others in taking their own small steps. Could that be a block, the cause of discouragement?

Deep inhale… Sigh…

To re-motivate, to get out of this funk, here’s what I’m doing …

1. Looking for inner and social stimulus for action … what I want, and what I want to give back.
2. Counting my blessings … being grateful for what I’ve been given. Not taking the good stuff for granted.
3. Listening to me … what I’m feeling is OK and right for me, right now. (And besides, though discouraged is difficult, it’s the base of the build-up)
4. Repeating to myself – I can, I will, I am … manifesting and imagining confidence.
5. Clearing my mind with rest … and re-focusing.
6. Smiling … even if I don’t feel like it. Funny how such a little thing can lead the spirit.
7. Increasing my physical activity to get the oxygen flowing  … and the endorphins contributing.
8. Thinking more clearly about my needs … for activity and contribution.
9. Trying to see first steps of progress … for direction and consequence.
10. Knowing that change will happen not in what was … but in the now and what’s next.
11. Sharing with others to gain support and perspective … and get outside of myself. (With you, and family and friends)

Do these ring true for you? Have you used them in your life?

There are many first steps in re-motivation from discouragement. Some will be found in epiphanies, and some will take climbing one step at a time.

Ability and attitude are the guidelines, finding the motivation will power your movement.

I’m discouraged from time to time. I don’t like it but it seems part of the process. Sharing with you has helped get me back on track. Thanks for listening.

Now let me ask you … how have you turned discouragement into motivation?

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Tags: areas of movement, life skills, new beginnings, problem solving

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 7th, 2010 at 7:47 pm and is filed under Dynamics Of Change, Musings. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.