It’s that time of the week again – Monday Morning Motivation.
Today, I want to chat about why you may not be motivated. What stops you from getting on with the things you need to do.
I have realised a few times that I get demotivated when what I am doing does not reflect my values.
Does what you do reflect your Values?
By values, I mean the things that are important to you. The values that make you do things because it’s the right thing to do, not because it pays the bills.
I value making a difference. If you can make a living doing that, then fab but making a living is not a value.
I value authentic people and posts. I don’t want to hear about your perfect social-media-primed lifestyle. I want the reality of “reverse burlesque” practising children on a morning or the despair of fighting yet another battle in the SEND Arena.
I value fun. If you can find laughter in the darkest of places, I want to follow you on social media and laugh with you.
I have found, over the years, that once I am trying to do something that doesn’t fit with my values, then it becomes a chore and moves down my to do list – forever.
If I am trying to write something that feels more like a report than a fun, no holds barred, piece which makes a difference, I lose the will to get on with it.
I don’t expect everything I do to make a difference to everyone. I want it to make a difference to one person. That person can be me. Writing about a situation can feel like therapy and helps me to move on.
On my pc I have a sticker saying “Does it make a difference / Does it make me happy?”. If I am struggling with motivation because I am sat looking at a list of things I don’t want to do, I ask myself these questions.
I know there are some boring adult things I need to do which will not make me happy – ironing for example – but I have to assure myself that it will make a difference. I also choose one or two items from the list that make me happy to counterbalance completing the boring grown up chores.
So this week, think about your values. Then look at your to do list and think “which of these reflect my values?” If none of them do, then how can you change that? Is it time to revisit what you are doing? Is it time to approach what you are doing in a different way?
I would love to hear from you about your values and how you use them to motivate yourself.
6 Comments
Oh I agree 100%, so important to remain focussed on what drives us at our core. For me it would be doing or saying something to add value to another person’s life. Thanks for this motivating post, I love feel good factor of #TheMMLinky!
Me too! It really helps me each week to get off the sofa and actually do something
I would really like to think that all the things you write about are areas of life that I try to teach and instil in my kids…..but also in others. I want to be able to say that I can and am making a difference in some small way – even when my own chronic illness flares (see my post this week – a poem written explaining that despite being unable to get out some days, I am still here and am supporting behind the scenes). I have recently become Chair of a Friends/alumni committee and this week I managed to attend & support the senior school play (brilliant) and host a lunch for returning students from the noughties decade. If I can also be instilling some of these values into our young people……through leading by example, offering support and opportunities, mentorship….then job done! #TheMMLinky
I love this response. I love your attitude towards life.
xxxx
Ooh, food for thought indeed! I am definitely going to try thinking about whether it makes a difference and makes me happy from now on! Thanks for linking up x #TheMMLinky