Tags: motivation

killjoy (dont read if you’re having a good day)

If you follow me on Twitter, watch my videos, or read my blog very regular at all… you probably know me as a highly motivated ball of momentum with a go-go-get-it-done! attitude. More often than not, that’s true.

But it doesn’t take much – sometimes just one email, even – to stop you dead in your tracks, kill every ounce of positive energy, and suck the momentum right out of you. That’s what happened to me today…

The only up-side to the whole thing is that it happened towards the end of the day. Thank goodness too – because it would have wiped the whole day for any idea of productivity had it happened earlier on.

The funny thing is – I was just having this conversation with my mom earlier today. We were talking about cycles and phases, and I was telling her how I was glad I was on such an upswing for the New Year. About how motivated I’ve been about wrapping up some of these huge projects I have going in the background, and how I’m riding out the momentum while it lasts.

The truth is, it doesnt last. It’s not supposed to. We all have cycles or phases where we feel particularly motivated, and then those where we wake up and just feel like pulling the covers back over our head.

We’re not in total control of that. As humans, we have our physical and mental limits. It’s not normal to be positive, perky, motivated and super-productive 100% of the time.

What stinks is when that momentum gets interrupted, or stopped prematurely. And everyone will say that you’re not supposed to let anyone get to you – blow it off – roll with the punches – dont let it get you down – etc etc etc.

Sometimes you just cant help how you feel.

It would be one thing if someone called me up on the phone (and I actually answered it) to tell me that I am a big fat purple monster with yellow polka dots. Its quite another when you’re hit with the truth.

So I took a pause for a truth I was already well aware of, and all of a sudden felt completely overwhelmed all over again. There goes the motivation to just keep truckin’ towards the solution – all of a sudden my focus is back on the problem.

Not good.

Let me just take this opportunity to say, I’m not perfect. I put my pants on one leg at a time just like everybody else. I have bad days. I forget things. I screw stuff up.

Let’s not forget that I’m the woman that unboxed a brand new HD video camera – and filmed a video in VGA mode with the plastic still covering the lens

I’m doing my best. I know that. And I know that you know that. The only reason I’m sharing this killjoy of a moment with you is because I also know I’m not alone – you’ve been here too.

Just when I thought I had everything figured out, lined up and rolling in the right direction – I’m back to the drawing board staring at the problems. One step forward, two steps back. Ever feel like that?

I wish I hadnt let this get to me. Its the worst possible timing in the world. Of course, I wish I never screwed things up in the first place, but how else do you learn I suppose…

My solution has always been to step away, take a break, and then come back to it fresh. Sometimes you have no choice but to force a breakthrough, and if that’s the situation – push through and get it done. But if the opportunity is there, go with the cycle and save your best work for the high-energy phase.

Trust me, it works out better that way.

So the next time you’re having a bad day – or even just a bad moment – go ahead and pull the covers back over your head. You can make up for it by pulling an all-nighter when you’re feeling motivated again.

And if you’re having a hard time finding that motivation, focus on the solutions – not the problems. Focus on what you can do to make things happen, and get things rolling in the right direction. Even if it’s baby steps.

Just look at all the baby steps (one task at a time!) it took me to get here – 12 full years in business, successfully.

This post is kind of like that old saying: This too shall pass. Its a poor man’s greatest hope, and a rich man’s biggest fear. Perhaps this post is helpful to you if you’re having a bad day too. But if you’re having a fabulous day… you really dont want to hear all this (and I hope you heeded the warning in the title).

This too shall pass.

I’m off to go pull the covers over my head. I’m sure I’ll wake up refreshed and re-energized tomorrow (fingers crossed – as I had a kicka$$ mood to bring to tomorow’s webinar before all the wind got sucked out of my sails)

Misery loves company. If you’re having a bad day, you can leave a comment below. If you’re having a great day, you’re not allowed to leave a comment.

p.s. In Australia, they would call me a “sook” right now. Tomorrow I’ll wake up with a smile, delete this post, and get back to my usual highly productive routine. Or I’ll “fake it till I make it”, which works too. Whatever it takes, right? I didnt get this far by giving up every time I felt a little overwhelmed…

Keep moving forward. That’s what it’s all about.

(although at the moment I would love to toss this laptop over the balcony and out into the woods – or get in my car and go apply for a job at McDonalds :p)

Category: Coffee Break!