Loss of motivation. It happens to all of us sooner or later. For most of us, it is a temporary bump in the road. It lasts a few weeks. We feel it, address it, and it passes. There are varying degrees and different reasons for this. These reasons and degrees will usually determine the course of action you need to take. In this article, we will look at why we go through these periods and what is really happening in our minds and bodies at those times. We will also discover how we can regain our lost motivation.
What causes us to lose our motivation?
Loss of motivation is part of our mental and physical coping skills. When we are sad, handling situations that are difficult and seem to have no immediate answers or leave us with few or no options that we find acceptable, our brain will signal for us to retreat. We will begin to pull away from everything and everyone. This is to keep us safe.
According to Psychology Today we will push through most situations depending on our brain to sense danger. When we have been in situations that are dear to us and we have pushed with no solution, we reach a point that we don’t know what to do. We can become overwhelmed. We are mentally panicking. This is when our motivation to push on will leave us, and we will come to a halt. We know logically what we can and can’t do. We know what we should and should not do. We know giving up is not an option. Yet, we stop dead in our tracks. For example, if our spouse loses his job unexpectedly. We know we are going to have to fall back on savings. We know the savings may not be enough and we do not know how long it will take for him to find a job. It is illogical to think we can work enough hours to make up for his missing pay. Trying to do so will burn us out, exhaust us, and make us unable to do our own job. Logically we know what we can and cannot do. But we still try to work way too many hours for too little pay.
● Ride it out
When you feel this lack of motivation come toward you, have a talk with yourself. Recognize that it is a way to make you slow down and make sure you are safe. Take a mental inventory. Is this just a way to put the breaks on from a very stressful time in your life? If so, take a break. A few days away will rarely cause life to crumble. It is okay to say I need a weekend off.
● Do what you know, not what you feel
We always know what we need to do, but we don’t always feel it. Life is a lot like love. We love our spouses. But when they are late for dinner, forget to put gas in the car, and max out the credit card without telling us, we feel anything but love. But, that doesn’t mean we stop behaving as if we are their partner. We fake it until we make it. The feelings will return. Right now we have to manage the day. Your motivation will return also.
Do the things in your day that have a positive impact on others. If you know turning in the expense report before lunch allows Bob, in accounting, to leave early on Friday. Turn that in. If placing an order for a grocery delivery will take one problem off your mind, place the order. So what if it costs a bit more? If you don’t want to stress over it, pull up your last online order and copy it. It will be a surprise! Be easy on yourself and go with the flow. Your feelings will return in good time.
● Rule out physical issues
When we are stressed out (which we usually are before we reach this point) we tend to not eat well, not sleep well, and not exercise enough. This usually goes on longer than we expect. By the time we have reached a lack of motivation problem, we are run down. This is why we need to address our physical issues as well as our emotional issues. You need to make sure you are taking your vitamins and any medications you are supposed to take. Be sure to eat healthy meals and limit sugar, fat, and carbohydrates for the next week. Begin walking or slowly begin your exercise programs. Drink a lot of water to hydrate your body and replenish your organs. Go to bed at your regular time and keep electronic devices turned off. Reading or listening to music will help you relax. After a week if you are experiencing any physical issues, contact your doctor.
What you are going through is unpleasant, but you will get through it. Better days are ahead. Keep looking ahead and know that you are stronger than this. This is just your body telling you to take it a little slower. The sun will come out tomorrow, just wait and see.
