Yesterday, I did my first Question & Answer post based off one question I received at a leadership conference last month. I’ll continue answering questions from that batch and more. Feel free to email me questions at any time.
Question: How do you stay positive?/What are some good ways to keep motivation?
Answer: First, I don’t think there is anyone in the world who is 100% positive. I believe we all have times where we feel disappointed, discouraged, rejected, and/or sad. The challenge is to keep those times brief. Just after high school, I first read the book, Tuesdays with Morrie (pick up a copy and read it today if you’ve never experienced this gem of a book). In one chapter, Morrie Schwartz, the real life title character who is dying of ALS, discusses the depression he often faces each morning. He basically says that he allows himself to feel the emotion, feel it fully, then acknowledge that he’s felt that emotion, and go on with his day.
In my tougher times, I try to do this. It’s never easy. Sometimes we get stuck. That’s why I also have a great network of friends or family to either help me escape the tougher emotions and enjoy a movie and or knock some tough love into me. One of the best things we can do in the tougher times is LOGOUT of facebook and connect with friends in person or on the phone.
If we can get over the tougher times, it’s much easier to stay positive. There are many great things happening in the world. I’ve mentioned it a few times in earlier blogs, but one simple way to keep positive is to simply spend a moment or two and the beginning and end of each day and write down 3-5 things for which you are grateful. It makes a world of difference in your attitude.
As for staying motivated?
I personally need tasks broken down with mini-rewards. Right now, I’ve told myself that if I write this blog entry, I can read the next chapter in a book I’m really enjoying. I’ve also made gym goals that equate to a shopping trip for new clothes after two months of regular attendance.
I also definitely do my best when I know the purpose behind the activity. I want there to be a reason for almost everything I do. It needs to align with the things I value. This doesn’t mean that meaning or purpose is something huge or grandiose. Today I ran a few errands that will end up helping out my fiancé. They weren’t my favorite thing to do in the world, but I know it will reduce some stress for her and actually allow us to spend that time together relaxing rather than rushing around later on.
My friend and fellow speaker, Neen James, gave a great tip to me years ago: break up your day in 15 minute chunks. I sometimes will literally set a timer and commit to different tasks. Not only does it help me keep focused, but it actually speeds up my efforts. I’ll clean for 15 solid minutes, do some business paperwork for another 15, finish cleaning in 15, and maybe start preparing dinner. This helps with my motivation for short household tasks.
AND… like with the positive question above, I will allow myself times to simply be lazy and regroup. I also use friends to challenge me to do better.
I hope this helps.
I’ll continue these Q&A blogs in the coming weeks about once or twice a week. I hope they help.