I am sitting here at my desk watching the sun flicker off the newly sprouting leaves outside my window. I am supposed to be writing this big training program. Inspiration is not striking me. I got nothin’.
It is not a lack of motivation. I have plenty of motivation. This training program will be a business game changer for us. I have other projects I could work on too if that one doesn’t strike my fancy.
Ever feel that way? I this happens to us all now and then. What is a person supposed to do to focus? Since I am not working on the big project, I thought it might be fun to do a little research to find a solution. Here are some ideas on how to get that big project done or get the creative juices flowing:
- According to Professor Lorenza Colzato of Leiden University in The Netherlands, quoted in an article in The Telegraph in 2013, those who exercised four times a week were able to think more creatively than those with a sedentary lifestyle. Many famous folks who accomplished a great deal started their days with exercise including something as simple as going for a walk.
- Get some spice in your life. Maybe the problem with being stuck is I am actually stuck in a rut. According to The Freedom Experiment, unstuck yourself by doing something different and spontaneous, something you have never done before. This could be as simple as cleaning a closet or crafting something with your hands.
- Get a big laugh. Even if you fake it, smiling and laughing makes you feel happier. Watch a funny YouTube video or listen to the comedy channel for a few minutes. Get a chuckle and feel better.
- Get some nature. Maybe staring out the window at the new leaves on the spring trees is a signal that I need a bit of nature to clear my head.
- Understand the resistance. Maybe the reason for your lack of motivation is in the project itself. Take a few minutes to understand why you are not motivated. In my case, as I stop to think about it, I wonder if the importance I have placed on this project is making me a little afraid of moving forward. What if I mess up? If I write down my fears they always look a little more manageable than when I let those fear gremlins wander around in my head.
- Fight through the resistance. A writing blogger, Jeff Goins, says “you need to get up every day, expecting resistance, and fight through it.” He quotes Steve Jobs who said, “Real artists ship.” Just get it done and ship it. Your “final” product might not be perfect but when it is done then just ship it. You can always make it perfect later.