Finding the magic of motivation

Sometimes things are hard. We find ourselves facing obstacles. We hit setbacks. We need to cope with stress or illness.

And sometimes things feel hard when we really want something and are on our way to achieving it.

Here’s an example that may remind you of an experience in your life.

I am working with a client who is launching a new website for a business she is reviving after life events diverted her for a few years. It had been a successful business, and she feels ready and eager to resume it.

In fact, she has inventory waiting to sell again, and she has new offerings ready to produce.

She has already invested in having a great web developer build a new site. It looks fabulous and will make online selling a breeze.

And yet, she is struggling.

Why? Because she’s scared.

Her thoughts are consumed with questions like these:

What if the business doesn’t take off? What if the business does take off and makes her busier than she thinks she can handle? What if the new technology will feel burdensome to learn?

At the moment, one very small thing is holding her back — writing the About page copy for the site. It feels so hard for her — not because it’s difficult to string some words together for an initial rough draft. It’s the fear and doubt she is wrestling with that is holding her back and delaying the launch of the new site.

When we want something and still struggle, we need to find (or re-find) motivation.

Motivation is the driving force for everything you aim to achieve

Motivation is easiest to come by when things you do excite you and when things are humming along. But as we saw in the story I shared, motivation is not a sure thing.

And motivation can feel elusive at times when you most need it — like when fear grips you, or deadlines are looming and you have procrastinated, or when you lack confidence in your ability to start or bring a project to conclusion.

Happily, getting motivated is a great way to get going on something that matters to you, to deal with setbacks, to move forward in spite of fear, to persevere, to set priorities, to perform well and build confidence, and to stay committed to the outcome you desire.

So how can you get into the flow of motivation when you need it?

5 steps to create and sustain motivation

1. Ask “why?”

Why this project, or this conversation, or this goal?

Just like my post last week explained that having clarity about the “why” is important to build momentum, getting clear about your “why” is crucial for finding motivation when it is missing.

The “why” may be a personal desire (like my client who wants to restart her business), or may be related to a less-appealing but none-the-less important obligation (like bringing a legal matter to a close). When you focus on the reason this matters, you can connect to motivation.

(And, if the “why” turns out to be that you took on something based on a feeling of obligation, or to please someone, or another reason that you realize is not important enough to you to see the thing though, this is the time to make a change in plans.)

With a compelling “why”, continue on to step 2.

2. Ask yourself, “How can I make the most of this moment?”

What small step can you take to move forward now?

What can the next step be?

Keep asking and keep going (even if it’s slow going at first).

And be willing to change things up and try new approaches along the way.

3. Get support

You don’t have to figure everything out on your own!

Think about who you can reach out to to provide input. Who can offer encouragement? Who might be an accountability partner, or be available to hold you accountable, so you can more easily continue to move ahead?

4. Get excited about the possibilities

Visualize the completion of the process. In the case of my client, she is envisioning seeing orders come in and joyfully sending off her delightful products to people who will enjoy them.

If the task is less pleasant, envision it being settled or complete, and off of your mind.

By foreseeing the best possible outcome, you will bring the most positive energy to the effort. There is always a wealth of possibility to be considered when your thinking is not colored by fear and resistance.

Not only will you feel motivated, you will be more creative and resourceful as you proceed.

And no matter the final result, you will know you gave the project your best effort.

5. Reward yourself

You can reward yourself along the way, to mark small steps forward and for persevering when things feel particularly challenging.

You can reward yourself for building skills and gaining confidence.

And certainly celebrate and reward yourself for reaching milestones, and the completion of your process.

Rather than minimizing your accomplishments, or rushing on to focus on the next things on your list, savor and celebrate what you have done!

What are you motivated to create today?

Perhaps you will create a new step forward toward a goal you have been pursuing or to propel a meaningful project.

You may create a new idea or implement a new approach for something already underway, or you may initiate something completely new and meaningful.

Connect to what matters to you and invite motivation to support you to putting your desire into motion.

Every day offers immense opportunities. Motivation carries you to rewarding outcomes.