Real Solutions For Living...Motivation is Impacted by Choices

Motivation has been the most recent topic at both of the Clutter Clubs that I lead here in the my area. The funny thing is, lately I feel as though I'm the last person on earth who should be leading a discussion on motivation!

If you have read my story you know I have struggled with depression. Although it doesn't have the hold on me it once had, there are still times when I have dips (or should I say "drops") and have a hard time keeping up with my workload. It is at these times when I am not at all motivated to do anything.

I can't stand those times when I can't seem to put one foot in front of the other. The head knowledge is there, yet the action part of me has forgotten how to function as it should. Of course this brings about feelings of guilt as the thoughts of “I should . . .“ or “I need to . . .“ start swirling around my head. Kinda makes you want to curl up in a ball and take a good nap.

I know there are lots of you that can identify with what I am saying. We have good intentions. We absolutely intend to tackle our To Do list but can't muster the energy or desire to follow through. We know we should. We know we would feel better if we did something. We know we need to take care of matters. But there we sit.

I was talking with a fellow organizer recently about my struggle with time management. I am great with organizing spaces, but managing my time is a different story. She made a simple but profound comment. “It's a matter of choice“, she said. Wow! For some reason that really hit home with me and I knew she was right.

Later I gave her comment some thought. A good deal of thought. Even though I had plenty of excuses and rebuttals, I knew it did indeed come down to a matter of choice.

There are absolutely situations where choice is not the issue. Life brings us huge changes that put us in temporary limbo for a time. A serious diagnosis, death in the family, loss of a job, relocation, and such are examples of this. Then there are people who have mental disorders that hinder their ability to organize and take care of day to day matters. These issues are not what I am speaking of here.

Ever notice the lift in your attitude and spirit when you choose to do something you have been putting off? Isn't it liberating? You would think those feelings of accomplishment and having beaten the desire to procrastinate would launch us into action mode. Sometimes it does. But how long does it last?

What are you choosing today? I have chosen to update my website. My daughter usually does the html part for me after I hand her the new content. Her schedule is rather hectic now so I agreed to do all of it. Ugh! I'm too nice sometimes! Ha! So here I am doing something I don't enjoy doing--html stuff. I wanted to avoid it, but as I look at my schedule for the weekend, this is the only chance I have before the first of the month to have the site updated. I'm glad I chose to do this now. It's making me late for a doctor's appointment but it is getting done.

Choices. Whatever we choose there is a consequence. That consequence is either good or bad depending on the choice. Since I've been more aware of this choice thing, I've started asking myself how I'll feel if I choose not to do what I know needs to be done. Then I ask myself if I'm okay with that. You know, sometimes it's okay to take a break and rest.

When I ask how I'll feel if I choose to take action, I am reminded of the chain reaction that happens when a task is finally completed and off my shoulders. One, the job is getting done. Two, the stress of it sitting there nagging at me to do it is gone. Three, the burden of an incomplete task is lifted off my shoulders. Four, the clutter of trying to remember to do the job is removed from my brain. And five, I end up with more energy and feel much better about myself.

Mmm. Choosing to take action is indeed the better choice! Even though I've always known it, it's good to have it reinforced now and then. Thinking through the benefits of the consequences of choosing action, rather than avoidance, has been my latest tool of motivation. Maybe it can be for you too.