I have written several books, including All Pro Dad. If you’ve never tried to write a few hundred pages of content, believe me when I say the process of writing can be taxing. I certainly had days when I would wake up fully energized, ready to sit down at the keyboard and spill out all of my thoughts. There were plenty of other times when I would rather do just about anything else but look at that computer screen. I knew I’d never finish a book if I didn’t find ways to motivate myself on days when I just wasn’t excited to write.
Finding the proper motivation matters, and not just for authors. We all have days when we’re short on motivation. Waving the white flag isn’t an option. Too many people are counting on us, so we can’t give in to apathy or distraction. If you are finding yourself in a lull, you’re not alone. I’ve been there. But you can overcome those low-energy days by thinking a little differently. Here are 4 ways to motivate yourself.
1. Remember what matters.
When we launched Family First more than three decades ago, we had a clear vision for what mattered. Too many parents felt ill-equipped to love their families well. We wanted to provide resources for them. Over the years, our organization has grown exponentially, but the mission hasn’t changed. When I get bogged down in my day-to-day workflow or frustrated in meetings, I need to remember what matters—helping families around the world. Knowing your mission helps you maintain your focus. If you’re struggling to figure out how to motivate yourself, think about what initially drove you to try your hardest.
2. Remember who matters.
I love lists. My wife, Susan, and I wrote Lists to Love By for Busy Husbands and Lists to Love By for Busy Wives because we wanted to help keep things in perspective for spouses. When you’re wondering how to motivate yourself, look around the room. Who really matters to you? In his book Life on Mission, Aaron Coe writes, “People who live on mission are always on the move toward others. They don’t wait for the world to come to them, they seek and find the people who have needs.” Remember who matters.
3. Remember why you started.
Marathon runners stand on the starting line with a clear mission—finish the 26.2 miles ahead. They know they’ll be tired on mile 12. They know they will be sore on mile 19. But thinking about those problems too long will make the finish line feel so much farther away. Likewise, if we lose sight of our purpose we can lose motivation for our mission. Remember the starting line. Remember why you wanted to run this race in the first place. Motivation materializes when we focus on the big picture.
4. Remember where you’re going.
You need to know what and who matters and why you started out toward a goal. But without looking ahead to where you hope to be if that mission bears fruit, you’ll wander without a direction. What is your vision for the future? What drives you to succeed? I dreamed of a day when mothers and fathers would walk away inspired to be amazing spouses and parents after they opened up All Pro Dad and iMOM emails or attended our family-building events. Remembering where you’re going will motivate you on days when it feels like desire is dimming. Keep moving with your eyes on the bullseye.
What accomplishment would you never have achieved had you given up? Share in a comment.
