What to do When You're Feeling Unmotivated

[image error]Ask anyone with a specific goal whether he or she is facing challenges in attaining it. Most likely the answer will be “yes”. Whether you are seeking a promotion or lateral move at your job, or trying to maintain a fitness regimen, you may encounter bumps in the road or have times when you feel “stuck.”

Today, I invite you to take inventory of what is holding you back. What are the real challenges you are facing? What role does motivation play in the amount of work you are putting into achieving your goal? Are you feeling unmotivated, and if so, ask yourself some questions:

1.What triggers a lack of motivation in you?

2. What activities do you engage in that are not self-supportive and are not conducive to your success?

3. When you engage in those types of activities, how do they affect your level of motivation?

4. Instead of your goals, what do you focus on when you feel unmotivated?

5. What do you wish you could accomplish?

6. How much further along would you be at this moment if you had been feeling motivated?

7. What excuses are you making for yourself and why?

8. What is one thing (however small) you could do today to give you a sense of accomplishment? 

By responding to these questions, you become more mindful of your typical patterns and can more easily key in to what holds you back. If for example, you find yourself less motivated to run errands after 3pm, taking note of this will help you schedule your day more productively. If you are making excuses for why you haven’t reached a goal, honing in on those blocks will help in identifying ways to get past them. By engaging in one small thing, you get the ball rolling again and allow yourself to experience a little victory. Once you’ve had one, you want to keep the momentum up!

Victoria Crispo, Career Coach, Career Services USA