I recently got back from three weeks in the wilds of the Russian Altai mountains and am immediately faced with a problem: motivation or, rather, a lack of it.
It affects everything I do, be it putting my shoes on to go out for a run, opening up a Word document to work on a proposal for a new idea, or coming up with an ingeniuous/witty article for this website, it all requires motivation. The problem is that I don’t always have it.
There are times when I can say to myself, “Just do it”, and force myself into action. Times when all it takes is a bit of a mental face slap and I’m back in the game. And then there are times when it doesn’t. When no amount of internal dialogue is going to make a difference and I simply can’t will myself to action.
If I can’t snap myself out of a lull then I need some external input and this is where you come in:
Give me some input.
It’s dead easy. You can Comment on this or any other article on this website. You can send me a message on Twitter or comment one of my Facebook posts. You can email me. If you’re reading this then leave a Comment before you go. Even if it just says “Rubbish!”, I’d rather some honest feedback than stoney silence. It is as motivating to get external input as it is difficult to operate in a void. I’m opening the flood gates, let me have it!
9 Comments
Julian
Hey Tim,
I know it can be very tough to get the motivation to carry on. And also to keep writting and updating blogs when we don’t really know if anyone is reading. But little by little your audience will help.
You can also get more readers if you comment on someone elses site, as they will take an interest in your site too.
Keep it going, it is pretty cool
Julian
fruchtzwerg
give us pictures! no witty text needed, just some sort of info what you were up to in russia and how it was. and, most importantly, pictures!!!
can totally understand you, am trying to stay motivated for writing… but hey, four more weeks and we’re off to the north!!! yay!!!!
admin
Julian, thank you for the message of support! Just been reading your blog. Congratulations on the triathlon (and the same to Tanya for the marathon). Glad you enjoyed the cold!
(And look, I’ve worked out how to get the font bigger! Now all I need to do is change the colour of the menu on right hand side…)
admin
Fruchzwerg, you are proof that at least two people are reading my website (and that’s not including my mum) – thank you!
If it’s pictures you want, it’s pictures you’ll get. Just need to work out a good way of putting them up – Flikr?
The countdown to Norway is well on its way! I was thinking about cycling home once everyone else has gone…
fruchtzwerg
cycling home is an awesome idea! i’m up with the van (will throw the bike in) and have no idea yet what else is gonna happen, might or might not go on another cruise to the arctic… but if you’re still cycling when i’m done with my climbing, i’ll join you somehow!
Nancy P
ok, this is it, buster – you ready? – i’m gonna let you have it!
Motivation, ay? its a toughy alright.
I’ve got three suggestions:
1. start back at the beginning of Al’s book (finished it last night – awesome!) and remember as he says that stepping out the door is the hardest step of all.
2. In the words of that bloke i always forget the name of “you don’t have to be having fun to be having fun!” so just get on with it and the fun part with emmerge eventually.
3. marmite on crumpets – always sorts me out a treat and can be applied to most problems – motivation included.
ok, i’m done – see you friday
Good Luck with it all, keep smiling and maybe try some vitimin C to help you beat the swine flu.
N
admin
Nancy,
Thank you for a very precise three step plan to re-energisation! I appreciate they are probably meant more as general approaches to life than immediate actions, but, here are my immediate actions:
1. First step: I just signed up for rickshaw training next Wednesday. (Fellow readers, “Al’s book” refers to the excellent writings of Alastair Humphreys – http://www.alastairhumphreys.com – who I cannot rate highly enough)
2. Mark Twights words will keep me smiling through my battle with swine flu (now largely over, may have been more man than swine)
3. Ingredients obtained. I will try this unknown combination for breakfast.
Thank you!
Tim.
Al
try this: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wordpress-flickr-manager/
Tim
Thanks Al. Plug-in installed. Now I just need to start uploading my photo album…