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Blog: Just Do It… Finding The Motivation
 Spinning My Wheels
Not quite sure when it happened. One minute I'm changing diapers and then I blink and I've got kids in college. Bam! Poof! Incredibly, time has flown and I'm now hearing phrases like "at your age" and "we have the results of your mammogram" (by the way, they need to have an air pump to pump us back up afterwards – just a suggestion).
Both children have finished school so you would think I have the time to indulge in some fun and not-so-fun-but-I've-put-it-off-long-enough projects. I'm frustrated that at this point in my life I don't have that "someday" I always thought would come. Not only that, but it seems my energy for these activities is waning as well. Recently I discovered one of the reasons why this seems to be happening. It was a little embarrassing to have to admit this to myself, but nonetheless it's true.
What I've learned is I'm often very busy, but not necessarily busy with the right things. Know what I mean? I guess you could say I do a lot of "busy" work, not truly productive work. This isn't always the case, mind you, and definitely isn't the case when I'm working with others. I can be very productive when I need to be. But this is different. When it's just me and the housework, or sometimes when I'm in my office doing the oh so glamorous and exciting administrative details of my job, I find that I'm often "spinning my wheels". Then, at the end of the day I look around and think to myself, I know I worked all day but it sure doesn't look like it. It's awful to be tired after a long day's work and not have much to show for it!
Ugh! There should be a pill for this. Habits are hard to break. I know what you're thinking – make a list! I do. I even prioritize my lists. But I get caught up in details or get new ideas and dart off to explore or develop those. And then there are those times when I'd rather do something other than what's on my list. I'm sure none of you have any idea what I'm talking about, but bear with me.
It's exasperating to spend your time and energy working and then realize not much has gotten accomplished. Sometimes it's not because we're spinning our wheels with "busy work".
Sometimes we're trying to do a two-person job by ourselves. Sometimes we're unsure of what we're doing and get stuck on the details. Sometimes its distractions, lack of know-how, depression, or we're afraid of making the wrong decision. Caring for small children or an aging parent limits our energy and time to get moving and make progress.
So what's the answer, since they haven't created a pill for it yet? Personally, I think it would be fabulous if there were some sort of mechanism at our beckon call that would swoop down during these moments, take us by the hand, and tell us to go shopping while it will take care of things for us!
Okay, back to reality. For starters, we should never beat ourselves over the head when we find ourselves spinning our wheels or stuck and not making progress. Agree? Next, we simply put one foot in front of the other and try again. I'm finding it helpful (aside from making the obvious list and referring to it) to be more conscientious of how I spend my time. I'll stop myself and take note of what I'm doing and why. Is it worth my time right now? Does it help me reach my goal for the day? Is this task working against me and what I want to accomplish? Is it truly productive? Is this the best use of my time right now? Am I doing this because I'm avoiding doing what I'm supposed to be doing? Now, that's an honest question!
Motivation comes in all shapes and sizes. In this instance, I've been able to motivate myself to push past "wheel spinning" by becoming more aware of what I'm doing and why. It's funny how often I'm actually avoiding certain tasks. I can't stand cleaning the shower and tub. Dusting used to be a huge pain until I started purging my knick-knacks. I dread combing my dog's hair – it's so time consuming! I procrastinate making certain phone calls (not sure why, but I do). So it's a daily effort to watch what I'm doing so I stay on track.
But you know, I really do think someone should start to work on that machine that swoops down and does for us all the things we find too difficult to do. With a snap of the fingers help would arrive and rescue us in our time of need. Maybe then I could get to some of those projects I've been meaning and hoping to get to.
posted on: 10/8/2007 12:00:00 PM by Nancy McGarity
category: The Mental Side
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Just Do It… Finding The Motivation
by Nancy McGarity
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About Nancy:
I'm a mom, wife, professional organizing consultant and speaker, and a former Early Childhood educator. A personal crisis in my own life took me from perfectionism to total mayhem. I want neither. I'm now all about balance and being realistic about what I and my clients can maintain. My organizing business Real Solutions For Living was started to: 1) let people know they are not alone in their struggle to overcome clutter chaos, 2) to help them reduce their stress, 3) to help them gain back control of their spaces and lives, and 4) to offer realistic, practical, and down to earth solutions. I love what I do!
Nancy's Website:
www.realsolutionsforliving.com
Favorite Quote:
- "Success consists of getting up one more time than you fall."
Favorite Books on Organizing
- Organizing For the Creative Person
- Making Peace With The Things In Your Life
- Buried Treasures
- Messie No More
- Conquering Chronic Disorganization
- Organizing From the Inside Out
- Clutter's Last Stand
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www.OnlineOrganizing.com is a service mark of Bradford, LLC.
