Comments on: Staying Motivated When You Least Want To http://mentalrise.com/2008/11/staying-motivated-when-you-least-want-to/ Observations of Business, Adventure, Entrepreneurism and Entropy. Sat, 05 Sep 2009 11:42:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Shane http://mentalrise.com/2008/11/staying-motivated-when-you-least-want-to/#comment-1091 Shane Sat, 05 Sep 2009 11:42:47 +0000 http://mentalrise.com/?p=41#comment-1091 Thanks for this post/link. I think somehow staying motivated once the initial enthusiasm has subsided is a very essential skill. For me, it helps to take a step back, so to speak. To see that, yes, I really don't feel like doing this now and yes, I'd rather relax and read a book (or whatever), but that this is just a passing emotion and the task at hand is part of a long-term commitment. Also, whenever I make such a commitment, I remind myself beforehand that I will not always be enthusiastic about it. That way, motivational lows don't take me by surprise that much. Thanks for this post/link. I think somehow staying motivated once the initial enthusiasm has subsided is a very essential skill. For me, it helps to take a step back, so to speak. To see that, yes, I really don’t feel like doing this now and yes, I’d rather relax and read a book (or whatever), but that this is just a passing emotion and the task at hand is part of a long-term commitment.
Also, whenever I make such a commitment, I remind myself beforehand that I will not always be enthusiastic about it. That way, motivational lows don’t take me by surprise that much.

]]> By: Ashley http://mentalrise.com/2008/11/staying-motivated-when-you-least-want-to/#comment-159 Ashley Thu, 26 Feb 2009 20:51:19 +0000 http://mentalrise.com/?p=41#comment-159 Your right, this is definitely an issue one must know how to deal with. I completely agree with Manisha - I give myself space as well. Pausing or taking a break is something I don't do often enough anyway, so when I get so tapped out that the thought of quitting occupies my mind, I go to a party. Or I have dinner with friends, Visit family... I do anything but work for all of about a day (even an hour if thats all I can afford to spare). But then I ask myself why I was doing whatever I was doing in the first place !? I'm too passionate not to have a reason... Also, surrounding yourself with good people always helps. They can catch you before you even get to that low point. Or at least help you recover from "motivation malfunctions" faster... Thnx for the post. Your right, this is definitely an issue one must know how to deal with. I completely agree with Manisha – I give myself space as well. Pausing or taking a break is something I don’t do often enough anyway, so when I get so tapped out that the thought of quitting occupies my mind, I go to a party. Or I have dinner with friends, Visit family… I do anything but work for all of about a day (even an hour if thats all I can afford to spare). But then I ask myself why I was doing whatever I was doing in the first place !? I’m too passionate not to have a reason…

Also, surrounding yourself with good people always helps. They can catch you before you even get to that low point. Or at least help you recover from “motivation malfunctions” faster…

Thnx for the post.

]]> By: Manisha Shahane http://mentalrise.com/2008/11/staying-motivated-when-you-least-want-to/#comment-36 Manisha Shahane Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:31:17 +0000 http://mentalrise.com/?p=41#comment-36 Well, one of the things I do when I'm feeling unmotivated, and possibly even on the verge of quitting, is that I give myself the space to do nothing, to come off the schedule. I try to experience the feelings fully, because one thing I know is that after I hit bottom, there will be only one direction I can go. And that's back up! Knowing that is what gives me strength. If I don't acknowledge the low feelings, then I might be able to work on this or that towards my goals, but in some awful, forced kind of way. And the feelings may just fester under the surface. If I get a few things done during the open space period - maybe some non-thinking mundane tasks - then it is just a bonus and it doesn't feel like that four-letter word mentioned above (W-O-R-K). Kind of like when I used part of a snow day when school was out to study or brush up for a test. It felt like I got extra stuff done. The I-got-more-done-than-expected feeling is great in comparison to the I-haven't-done-enough feeling. I use this technique anytime I feel low and unmotivated, whether for personal or professional reasons. Well, one of the things I do when I’m feeling unmotivated, and possibly even on the verge of quitting, is that I give myself the space to do nothing, to come off the schedule. I try to experience the feelings fully, because one thing I know is that after I hit bottom, there will be only one direction I can go. And that’s back up! Knowing that is what gives me strength. If I don’t acknowledge the low feelings, then I might be able to work on this or that towards my goals, but in some awful, forced kind of way. And the feelings may just fester under the surface.

If I get a few things done during the open space period – maybe some non-thinking mundane tasks – then it is just a bonus and it doesn’t feel like that four-letter word mentioned above (W-O-R-K). Kind of like when I used part of a snow day when school was out to study or brush up for a test. It felt like I got extra stuff done. The I-got-more-done-than-expected feeling is great in comparison to the I-haven’t-done-enough feeling.

I use this technique anytime I feel low and unmotivated, whether for personal or professional reasons.

]]> By: Vinh http://mentalrise.com/2008/11/staying-motivated-when-you-least-want-to/#comment-34 Vinh Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:29:12 +0000 http://mentalrise.com/?p=41#comment-34 Take difficulties as opportunities. When everybody quits, your staying makes the little difference. And remember what first got you going. Take difficulties as opportunities. When everybody quits, your staying makes the little difference.
And remember what first got you going.

]]> By: Vinh http://mentalrise.com/2008/11/staying-motivated-when-you-least-want-to/#comment-33 Vinh Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:26:52 +0000 http://mentalrise.com/?p=41#comment-33 I try to think about 2 things: - I try to find the meaning in my project. It's always something you can think about when you're down. Find a real a meaning. If it's making money and your project does not look that good now, then it's hard to stay. -Take difficulties like opportunities. Where everyone else quits, your staying makes the difference. I guess we all face that. I try to think about 2 things:

- I try to find the meaning in my project. It’s always something you can think about when you’re down. Find a real a meaning. If it’s making money and your project does not look that good now, then it’s hard to stay.
-Take difficulties like opportunities. Where everyone else quits, your staying makes the difference.

I guess we all face that.

]]> By: Katie http://mentalrise.com/2008/11/staying-motivated-when-you-least-want-to/#comment-26 Katie Tue, 18 Nov 2008 05:50:46 +0000 http://mentalrise.com/?p=41#comment-26 Such a common problem for entrepreneurs, we're all dreamers... but reality is another thing completely. If you have an idea, sit on it a few days (weeks) and examine your excitement. Even months or years down the road, regardless of whether or not business is good, the once hot idea CAN lose is luster. I guess what you need to ask yourself is "WHY?" Is it a pattern in your life? Is it a temporary thing? How long ago did the idea become a burden? What are the reasons behind feeling the way you do? If it's a temporary downswing...do what you have to do to get though it. Put yourself on autopilot OR switch things around to bring the excitement back! Great blog post and you leave some great food for thought. Such a common problem for entrepreneurs, we’re all dreamers… but reality is another thing completely. If you have an idea, sit on it a few days (weeks) and examine your excitement. Even months or years down the road, regardless of whether or not business is good, the once hot idea CAN lose is luster. I guess what you need to ask yourself is “WHY?” Is it a pattern in your life? Is it a temporary thing? How long ago did the idea become a burden? What are the reasons behind feeling the way you do? If it’s a temporary downswing…do what you have to do to get though it. Put yourself on autopilot OR switch things around to bring the excitement back!

Great blog post and you leave some great food for thought.

]]> By: admin http://mentalrise.com/2008/11/staying-motivated-when-you-least-want-to/#comment-22 admin Sat, 15 Nov 2008 10:51:40 +0000 http://mentalrise.com/?p=41#comment-22 What are some of the ways you stay motivated, when you're having a downswing? What are some of the ways you stay motivated, when you’re having a downswing?

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