I have a huge problem with motivation. In fact, I started this blog post before lunch, and it’s now 4:00 and I’ve yet to find the motivation to finish writing it.
Sometimes a lack of motivation is blamed on being a procrastinator. I am a procrastinator; I will put off an unpleasant task until the very last minute, and I often procrastinate doing the simplest things. I think the answer to why I procrastinate lies in a lack of motivation. It’s not that I don’t care, I just can’t seem to find the will to do the task.
Finding motivation is easy for some people. Sometimes it’s easy for me. For example, I’m always motivated to read a new novel because I like to read and I know that I will get a lot of enjoyment out of it. But finding motivation to menu plan, create a budget, write a paper, or reorganize my desk is a lot harder.
I force myself to do these tasks, but often resent them and find a million things to complain about. Clearly, I don’t have a lot of motivation to do things I don’t want to do. I look for reasons to do these things, but I find more reasons not do them and better things I could be doing.
A lack of motivation led to my blog hiatus. I just wasn’t feeling motivated to write anything. I could come up with lots of ideas for new posts, but couldn’t ever find the motivation to write them. I’m still struggling with those same feelings, but am working to overcome them (hence this post).
How do you get motivated? What do you do to stay motivated? Please share, I need your help!
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
If you haven't heard of it already, I recommend reading "The Now Habit" by Neil Fiore.
The book looks at reasons why we procrastinate other than the standard labels of laziness or lack of motivation. The reasons he finds might not apply to you, but I could definitely relate to much of what he said. What I really like about the book is that it provides reasons for my procrastination and strategies to deal with it that don't involve just kicking myself harder.
Another fun thing is that it's available in audio format from audible.com . Which means I can throw a book about ending procrastination on my iPod, listen to it while I clean the house, and feel really smug for a while.
This isn't really relivent to this post, although I guess it could be, but I came across a call for chapters today and thought about you. Since I have no other way of contacting you I'll put the info here. I thought your recent move might be a cool article.
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Title:Tips for Librarians Running Libraries Alone
Book Publisher: Scarecrow Press
Chapters sought from special, school, public, academic librarians, LIS professors about managing a library alone.
No previously published, simultaneously submitted material; 3,000-3,500 words. Concise, how-to chapters, using bullets, headings, written by one author. Compensation: a complimentary book, discount on additional copies.
Possible topics: Time Management, Solo Security Issues, Library Boards, Media Strategies, Manuals and Policies, Legal Concerns, Annual Reports, Useful Software, Problem Patrons, Public Relations, Bidding, Networking, Professional Growth, Websites, Library Use Instruction, Managing Volunteers, Children's Activities.
To avoid duplication, please e-mail 2-3 topics described separately in 3 sentences by November 30, 2010 with a 75-90 word bio. You will be contacted which of your topics will work. Kindly place, SOLO/Your Name, on the subject line to: smallwood@tm.net
I have the same problem with motivation and I'm an enormous procrastinator.
I'm not sure if this helps, and I'm sure I'm not alone, but I find myself rarely posting comments in blogs I read. I am trying to change that habit, but just because you don't see comments doesn't mean we aren't reading! (if that is one of the causes of lack of motivation)
I'd also love to hear what people do to kind of break out of the not-motivated rut because I find myself in it….a lot.