My Top Tips For Getting Motivated
I've never been one for standing still or being complacent. While I'm grateful everyday for the things that I have and the things that I have achieved, I'm always looking for the next step, the next opportunity. Over the years, being freelance has meant that I've had to fine tune my methods for getting motivated. It's very easy to succumb to reality TV and not getting dressed when you don't have an office to turn up to everyday so, I figured I'd share my tips with you...
DO A VISION BOARD I know this may sound a little woo-woo and eye-roll inducing but trust me, this works. There's a lot of talk about 'the universe' and 'manifestation' and 'the secret' but here's the thing: it's not magic or hippy shit, it's simply a case of putting down on paper what you want to achieve. It's a case of crystallising that in your mind so that when opportunities arise, or decisions have to be made you can look at that vision board and remind yourself where you are heading. If those opportunities or decisions are going to work against your vision for the year, then it may be worth side stepping them. There's no point in wasting time and energy on stuff that isn't taking your where you want to go. Also, if you don't know what you want, you're just wandering aimlessly through life with not end destination in mind. Focus and plan.
START TALKING ABOUT IT Don't be afraid to start talking about what you want to do and what your dream is. Even if you don't think you've taken the first step, THAT'S what the vision board was. The first step. Now you need to start making noise. Saying it out loud to your husband, your friends, people you meet not only ensures that the universe listens, but also opens up so much potential for you to meet the people that you'll need to make it happen. You never know what someone else is thinking or planning or doing...you might be just the person they are looking for or vice versa but you'll never know unless you start talking.
START THINKING YES There are lots of reasons we can find to not do something but essentially we are our own worst enemy when it comes to stuff like this. As soon as we say things like, "That's not possible..." or "I can't do that yet..." we start to limit ourselves. They are conversation enders. There's nowhere else you can go after that so think about the language your using. Change your approach to, "What can I do to make that possible?" and "Let me do a timeline/plan so that I know I can do this." Once you start looking at things that way, you'll be amazed and what you can achieve.
FIND YOUR SPACE The key to making shit happen is to find the time and space to do it. That's easier said than done but if you've started doing the first three steps, you'll be so excited about what you're starting to see happen that you'll find that time without a problem. If you have a home office, or space for your own workspace at home then take some time to make that your own. Clear it out, organise it and carve some time out to sit there. If you don't have any space at home, care out half an hour to an hour in a nice cafe with your laptop and/or notebook. It can simply be half an hour twice a week. It doesn't have to be anything overwhelming but using that time to focus on your vision, and what is coming your way is key.
REACH OUT You may think you know all your friends inside out. You may think you've got the skinny on all your work colleagues but you have no idea what secret desires or talents they are hiding. Remember that girl who used to go out with so-and-so who you're still friends with on facebook that does that thing that could be really helpful to you? Message her. And anyone else that you think you can find some synergy with. When you know what you want and you've started to put a plan together think of anyone and everyone you know who may be able to help you on your journey to making things happen. You'll be amazed at the wealth of talent, connections, badasses that you know.
