It is common for people to make comments about me always being energetic and motivated. The truth is that while I am sometimes that way, there are many times I am not. There are times I have literally walked into a building saying, “I can do this! I can do this! I can do this!” And, “You’re going to do this! You’re going to do this! You’re going to do this!” Yes, I say it out loud and at this stage of my life I really don’t care who hears it or what they think. A few months ago I got off a flight at the Tampa airport, so eager to get home after several flights. When I exited the plane and walked toward the shuttle I realized with crushing disappointment that for the second time in recent days, the shuttle was down. So anyone deplaning had to walk the entire path to the baggage claim/parking garage area. It’s a pretty long walk and I was exhausted already. I didn’t even care who heard me…the entire path I said out loud, “You got this! You got this! You got this!” I talked myself all the way to baggage claim. Now that you are thoroughly convinced that I am NUTS…

Let me say that broken shuttles aren’t the only time I have to give myself a pep talk.I give myself talks every week to do the things I don’t want to do. It’s a fallacy that high achievers just wake up in the morning and are happy and motivated to do all that they do. So today I want to give you some pointers on how to get re-motivated when your get up and go has left the building.

First of all…do not rely on motivation!

Yes, I’m here today to tell you how to get re-motivated but the first piece of honest advice I need to give you is that motivation cannot always be counted on and it will not be there 100% of the time. The power of discipline will always be greater than the power of motivation. Sometimes you will have to do things even though you have zero motivation. Fortunately for you, motivation is not required to accomplish things.

Start small with what’s in front of you

When I’m demotivated I usually don’t start with a huge task. Start small and build up. When you get one thing done it gives you some vim and vigor to get something else done. Usually one thing leads to two and two leads to three for me.

Go back to your why

Why are you doing the things you need to do? What was the reason you started? What’s going to happen if you don’t do it? Concentrate on the importance of the task in order to get re-engaged with it.

Check off each item as you go

Break down the tasks into the smallest segments that you can and check off each thing you get done. It’s a motivator all it’s own.

Change things up

If you can do the task somewhere else, try that. Sometimes I move to a coffee shop, or another location in my home,  Mark Batterson always says, “Change of place + change of pace = change of perspective. I find this to be so true. I always get more done working in certain spaces, simply because I am so happy there. It just stands to reason that you get a lot more done when you’re happy.

Keep it moving

A friend of mine worked for Johnson & Johnson and she told me that at certain points in the day there would be an announcement to come to a specific area of the building for a break to stretch, walk, and generally keep it moving. It was a physical and mental health break for all the employees and helped them become even more productive.

Look to others for inspiration

Don’t be jealous of others when you see them getting things done. Ask them how they do it. You can collect a wealth of wisdom by talking to other people about how they continue to accomplish things even when they don’t feel like it.

Open yourself to accountability

Ask a friend to hold you accountable for what you have to get done. Don’t lie to them when they ask you. Tell them the truth about where you are at with getting things done. Give them permission to kick your butt.

And of course…

Lean on the Holy Spirit

This is my best go-to. He helps me do everything I don’t feel like doing, don’t want to do, or don’t think I can do. The truth is, I can do anything God wants me to do. All I have to do is lean into His strength to get it done.