Motivation is an interesting phenomenon. Consider the idea that we have an internal motivation meter that influences our behavior. When your motivation is high on this scale, you’re able to activate and accomplish without much struggle. You might even feel in a state of flow as you get things done like organizing a room or starting a new venture. On the opposite side of the motivation spectrum, when your motivation is low or non-existent, you feel sluggish and like you’re pushing a wet noodle. You might feel stuck, overwhelmed, and exhausted, making it almost impossible to activate. Those are just two ends of the spectrum. There are many points in between that are less extreme.

Let’s assume that even the most motivated among us encounter times when we’ve lost our drive. I’ve been there. This can happen for many reasons, such as being in a transition, grieving, experiencing a health challenge, lacking confidence, or being sleep deprived. At these moments, becoming motivated isn’t hopeless; it just means we might need some help.

While there are numerous ideas for activating when your motivation is low, today, I’m focusing on three concepts that are great to use when you’re having motivation challenges around getting organized. Naturally, these can be applied to other situations too.

1. Porch of Indecision

On a recent trip to Orlando, I came across this humorous “Porch of Indecision” sign. Is this porch familiar? You might feel stuck because you have a choice to make and aren’t sure what to do next. Perhaps you don't know which questions to ask. Maybe you’re going in circles because you have too many options. And guess what? Any of these can create havoc with your motivation. When indecision takes over, motivation can evaporate.

If you find yourself on the porch of indecision, there are a few things you can do. First, take a deep breath. Now take a few more. This will calm your nervous system, reduce stress, and help you think more clearly. Next, refine your choices to two or three. If you’re still having trouble moving forward, enlist help from a family, friend, or professional organizer to discuss your options out loud. Having someone listen and support your decision-making can give you enough clarity and motivation to activate.

2. “What is this?” Box

During a clutter workshop that I led, one of the participants shared this idea. She explained that in their home they have a designated “What is this?” box. Each time someone finds an unidentified small piece or part of something, they put that item in the box. The components remain there until someone retrieves a “missing piece” or enough time has passed that they’re willing to let go of the part. 

What I love about this concept is that instead of spending too much mental energy on these unidentified parts, they have a landing spot, a boundary, and an expiration date.

When our motivation is low, our mental energy is also compromised. What if you created a “box” or landing spot for those organizing projects and goals that you have? Add tiny to-dos and organizing ideas to your "list"  as you think of them. Writing them down and keeping them in a specific place will clear your mind and increase your energy. Retrieve one small item at a time. Decide if you’re ready to act on or let go of that project. Breaking things down into small tasks will reduce overwhelm, increase focus, and motivation.

“When our motivation is low, our mental energy is also compromised.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVPO

3. CFI (Can’t Find It)

Have you heard of CFI, which stands for Can’t Find It? A familiar scenario is that you are about to do the next thing, and you can’t find your keys, glasses, cell phone, or _______. Instead of doing the next thing, you are engaged in a major hunt for the item you can’t find. You are aggravated. You look in all the familiar and unfamiliar places. You get other people to help you search. Time passes, and eventually, you find what you were looking for. But it leaves you feeling frustrated, stressed, and annoyed with yourself. It’s easy to go down that rabbit hole of negative self-talk. It can affect your motivation and desire to change.

Instead, let the CFI experience be an opportunity to boost your motivation. Make a mindful note about the thing or things that often get lost. Develop a plan to organize a new pattern or alter a habit, so fewer things get misplaced. It’s useful to give belongings a designated home. For example, place your car keys in the same bowl, hook, or handbag compartment every time you put them down. Before you know it, your CFI will become CAFI (Can Always Find It).

Do you have a favorite motivation technique? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Join the conversation!

Positive anticipation is a beautiful thing. When we look forward to doing things that bring us joy, we increase our happiness quotient. When we spend time engaging in favorite activities and being around people that we love, it energizes and rejuvenates us. Every summer for the past eight years, I’ve gone on a beach getaway with three of my girlfriends. It’s something I look forward to all year long. I just returned from this wonderful time away and can still feel the warmth from not only the sun but also from hanging out with my friends.

It’s a low-keyed weekend. We spend as much time as possible at the beach reading, talking, sunbathing, and jumping the ocean waves. This year perhaps more than any other, I noticed how I allowed myself just to be. While I brought a book and my journal, I spent less time reading and writing than I usually do. Instead, I felt content to sit in my beach chair, feet wiggling in the sand, sun warming my body, listening to the sounds around me, taking in the ocean scents, and getting up every so often to immerse myself in the sea.

I needed to be. No agenda. I needed time without the pressure to do and accomplish. I needed the time to reflect, relax, and renew. All thoughts of future plans, to-dos, and lists were suspended for those few days. Time felt slower and luxurious.

How do you like to pause and spend your break time? What renews you? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Join the conversation!

We’ve all heard of, and some of us actually use to-do lists. They help us focus on our daily priorities, better manage our time, and increase our productivity.  Using these lists gives us an added benefit. We experience an endorphin rush, a ping of happy hormones when we cross off a completed task.

To-do lists are great, but have you considered making a to-don’t  list? In the article, 12 Things to Put on Your “To-Don’t” list Today, Marina Khidekel, editorial director at Thrive Global suggests adding to this list, “what you don’t actually need in your life, and which areas you can scale back on. The items on your to-don’t list are the tasks you should avoid for the sake of your focus, performance, and well-being.” Below are several to-don’ts Marina shared from the Thrive Global community:

Thrive Global Community’s To-Don’t List

• Don’t finish a book or movie you don’t enjoy

• Don’t do tasks that can be delegated

• Don’t work late all of the time

• Don’t go to every social event you’re invited to

• Don’t spend time with negative people

While my to-don’ts still reside in my brain, there are time management and productivity to-don’ts in addition to the ones mentioned above that I have on my internal list. 

Linda’s To-Don’t List:

• Don’t check my email when I first wake up

• Don’t let my priorities always come last

• Don’t show up late without letting the person know I’m running behind schedule

• Don’t automatically say “yes” to a request without considering if it’s feasible given my current schedule and commitments

• Don’t make an appointment without entering it on my calendar

• Don’t return from vacation, shopping, or the day and not put away my things

• Don’t leave the house without my watch unless it’s a no-watch-day

• Don’t worry about things that may never happen

• Don’t work continuously without taking water, bio, nature, or snack breaks

• Don’t wish away time

• Don’t rush through life

As I develop my to-don’t list, I’ll continue to add ideas. Do you have a to-don’t list? Do you see a value to creating one? Even if you haven’t made a list yet, what single item would you include? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Join the conversation!

Do you occasionally or often run late? Do you rush to get out of the door, are the last person to arrive, and frequently apologize for keeping people waiting? From personal experience and observation of clients, family, and friends, I’ve noticed one common factor that is the top cause for the time management challenge, punctuality. If you’re looking to shift your time dynamic, reduce your daily stress, and feel more in control of your day, keep reading. I have one idea for you that might be the ah-ha you need to make a change.

Have you heard of or experienced OMT, which stands for one more thing?  Very simply, this is the desire and implementation to do just one more thing beyond what should be your stopping point. By doing this extra thing, it puts you behind schedule and often results in being late to your meeting, date, or appointment. This can take many forms. Have you had one of these experiences or know someone that has? It could look like this:

Before I leave, I’m just going to  . . .

• eat a small snack

• read one more email

• return a quick phone call

• respond to one short email

• listen to voice messages

• change my clothes

• use the bathroom

• send out a message on social media

• load the dishwasher

• make a doctor’s appointment

• comment on a blog post

• research “x” on the Internet

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with doing any of these activities. As a matter of fact, these are routine activities that we do on most days. However, doing them beyond our stopping point, as in during the time we need to prepare to leave, is not the best moment to engage.

Ideally, you want to build a time cushion around your scheduled meetings and appointments. Consider your travel time, contingency time for the unexpected, and prep time so that you will know when you have to stop what you’re doing to get ready for next.

Setting a timer usually helps me. On occasion, when I ignore the insistent buzzing and continue doing my OMT, it makes me late. However, more often, the ding reminds me to stop what I’m doing, begin the transition activities like teeth brushing or cleaning up the breakfast dishes, and head out of the door.

The desire to do OMT can be intense. Has this happened to you? Does it influence the way you manage your time? What have you noticed? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Join the conversation!