I Should Get Some Work Done Today. But First I'll Organize My Spam Folder, Then Clean The Coffee Maker.

Ever have one of those days at work when you're just not feelin' it? Zero motivation. Every task, no matter how straightforward, becomes a monumental chore (that you procrastinate doing). You feel overwhelmed. Or, you don't feel much of anything at all, just, meh. You could care less about all things work-related. Sometimes, this super fun feeling doesn't just last for a day, it's more like days... or weeks. If you were a kid on summer vacation, it'd be no big deal. Same if your job was like the one you had in high school: You show up, sell the stuff/take the tickets/work the register/serve the fries/scoop the ice cream... whatever it was that you did. It was a task-oriented job that you performed while at work, and you didn't take it home with you. It was a no-brainer.

Before I continue, that no-brainer comment... what I meant is that jobs performed in the moment — like in a retail or restaurant setting — don't take tons of mental energy when you're not at work (if you're not the boss!). OK, hopefully that's cleared up, so now I'll get back to my point. You probably have the kind of job that you DO take home with you. Or maybe you work at home so there's really no escaping it. Or maybe you're the ultimate boss, as in, you own the whole damn business so it's literally always on your mind. What happens when you lose your motivation? I'm guessing it's not good — not for you or your business. But it does happen to pretty much everyone at some point, so let's talk about what to do.

Motivation Gone? Tips To Go From Meh to Motivated!

Unfortunately, there's no magic, works-every-time formula for finding your motivation when it's gone. It's different for everyone and for each situation. Inevitably, I find that at some point, I have to basically force myself, will myself to a place where my mind can turn the corner, look at things differently and start feeling excited about stuff again. Fake it till you make it, baby! When I'm dealing with an uninspired, unmotivated, meh mindset, here are some of the tricks I've used to get my mojo back.

Engage with others. It's hard to mope when you're around other people. And if you're lucky, someone else's enthusiasm, good mood, motivation, whatever it is, will be stronger than your lack of all those things, and their attitude will rub off on you. That's my theory anyway. So schedule a meeting — about literally anything — if necessary. It might help get you out of your own head.

Schedule your procrastination. Whenever I'm struggling to get down to business, I find myself doing all kinds of random sh** just to avoid doing real work. I'm procrastinating (and I totally know it), but it doesn't feel like it because I'm still busy. I'm checking stuff off a list I didn't know I had! If you have a tendency to do this too, here's what I recommend: Allow yourself a set amount of time for those busywork procrastination chores, then force yourself to switch gears and do something for your "real" work. It'll be a win-win. Your computer will be organized, the coffee maker will never have looked so sparkly, AND you'll have done something actually productive.

Motivation Tips, Advanced Level

Move! Sometimes, all it takes is a little exercise or a change of scenery to get out of a funk. Try taking a short walk or working someplace different for a while if you can. Hard to do if you run a retail or customer-oriented business, I realize, but you get the idea. Once you've done that, you can take it to the next level — take a walk and force yourself to come up with at least one idea for something you're working on, all at the same time. Thinking while walking. Crazy, I know!

Give yourself a participation prize. This one may sound juvenile, but I swear it works. Make a list of tasks you want to complete — the kind you've been avoiding, not round 2 on the coffee maker deep clean — then give yourself a reward for completing that work. For me, it might go something like this: Send unpleasant email I've been ignoring, finish last month's P&L statement, meet for happy hour with my girls. Or get a fancy coffee (because I don't want to get the coffee maker dirty now that I've made it so pristine). It's the old carrot-on-a-stick approach. Or in my case, donut-on-a-stick, which usually works better.

Be Oh So Quotable This Week!

Since we've been talking about motivation and busywork, do you feel like you're too busy? Or like you're always working but not much is getting done? Your solution is right here and it's FREE!

I always say running a business means the work never ends! Ain't that the truth? I bet your to-do list is a mile long! Make sure that the items at the top of your list are the things that relate to being more profitable. Everyone is so proud of being so "busy"...But Are You Making Any Money? Don't be too busy to focus!

Check out the summary of last week's business tips and motivational quotes from my Instagram page which you hopefully got to see in real time! If not, let's make sure we're following each other on Instagram!! So...here is this week's roundup of Instagram images of My Top Business Tips and Motivational Quotes.

Motivation – Tip #1:

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"The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today." – Franklin D. Roosevelt

Motivation – Tip #2:

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"The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing." – Walt Disney

Motivation – Tip #3:

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"It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up." – Vince Lombardi

Motivation – Tip #4:

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"People who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do." – Rob Siltanen

Motivation – Tip #5:

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"What you lack in talent can be made up with desire, hustle and giving 110% all the time." – Don Zimmer

Let's talk! I'd love to hear if you've ever lost your motivation!

When your motivation has gone out the window, what did you do? Any suggestions for getting your mojo back? I would LOVE to hear from you! Anyhoo...I publish these business tips and motivational quotes to get you fired up for your work week!

Oh by the way, in case you're looking for something to help with time management, we've got this fun little quiz to test your productivity. Are you a Vodka & Red Bull? A Dirty Dirty? Or a plucky Blue Sapphire? Find out which cocktail you are by taking our quiz right now!

And, if you want more business tips, get my book, But Are You Making Any Money? or contact me to really take your business to the next level!

xoxo M

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