Imagine that you’re having a tough day. Things aren’t going well. You’re feeling drained and unmotivated. It’s hard to paint a smile on your face. And when you do, it looks more like a grimace.
Of course, we all have days like these from time to time.
The problem is, as a freelance professional, feeling unmotivated can seriously affect your ability to do all the things you need to do that day.
You may not feel like starting work on that new client project, (you know, the one that’s due in just a few days), or making those follow-up calls, or getting those pitch letters in the mail, or updating your website.
That’s one of the challenges of being self-employed. When you feel unmotivated, often there’s no one else around to give you a lift. No colleagues to commiserate with. No boss to kick your you-know-what. You’re on your own.
So what do you do when you’re down in the dumps?
According to Steve Chandler, author of 100 Ways To Motivate Yourself, we all have personal motivation “ON” buttons that we can push at any time. We just have to know where those buttons are — and have them at our fingertips when we need them the most.
Do you feel inspired when you read a favorite newsletter or blog…? Or upbeat when you hear a certain song on the radio…? Or less stressed when you sip tea at a favorite café…? Or energized when you listen to a particular coach or speaker on a CD recording…?
“Make it a personal commitment to notice everything that pushes your buttons,” says Chandler. “Make a note of everything that inspires you.” Once you do, you’ll have a repertoire of ways to feel motivated anytime you want to.
For example, if you’re working on a particularly tough writing gig, and you’re feeling, well … let’s say less than enthusiastic … plug in a CD of your favorite music, pat your dog, or pick up the phone and chat with a close friend.
The point is to figure out what motivates you and then learn how to quickly turn that button on when you need it the most. For example, I get a lift from reading inspiring passages from certain books. So I make sure I keep these within arms reach. I also have a few close colleagues I speak to — okay, whine to — on the phone from time to time. (Thanks Dianna!)
What are YOUR motivation buttons? If you don’t know, find them. You can probably come up with a dozen ways to give yourself a boost anytime you need it.
And, as freelance professionals, we often need it. A lot.
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Steve Slaunwhite is the co-publisher of The Wealthy Freelancer and author of Cracking The Case Study Market.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks Steve — I’ve been working freelance and self-supporting for 13 years now. Keeping a roof over my head has always been a motivator, but not the kind you’re talking about. I know some of the things that motivate me to do great work. I know some things that motivate me just to get the day’s tasks done, period.
One of the things I’ve enjoyed about following you on Twitter, for instance, is that you will sometimes post those personal, real-life moments — going to your daughter’s school for a meeting. Shoveling. You express some of the things that freelancers have in every day. We’re human beings who have to do things — pretty much everything! — in daily life. And our daily life intersects with our work life and environment.
That’s how I re-connect with motivation in work — getting out into my daily tasks and taking the time to “notice and connect”. I have a 5 month old black Lab puppy who is nosing around my office right now and looking for paper to steal to chew on. [Achh! He just found some!] Needing to take breaks frequently to get him outside helps me notice that the snow for the day might feel like sugar… or powder… or that it’s sparkling in the sun. I notice things while I’m outside — a hawk sitting on a line above my driveway. The skeleton stems of last summer’s perrenials.
I just noticed that in the last year or so, I finally stopped feeling guilty in the mornings that I didn’t have to be a part of the commute. Finally! I work well on my own. I’m made to be a freelancer.
Getting a project that takes my creativity is motivation. Meeting and working with great people is another.
Ditto Marci’s comment…a change of environment helps me. I like to drive, and in a previous life I spent plenty of time in my car, where I did some of my best thinking. Sometimes I will just park where the isolation and surroundings get me moving again.
Steve Chandler Rocks!!!
In my years of listening to personal development stuff I’ve listened to everyone from Earl Nightingale to Tony Robbins.
I am proud to include Steve Chandler as one of my go to guys for inspiration. What makes Steve special is that he doesn’t just talk about success principles by themselves.
He lets you in on how they’ve affected him personally. In my book anyone who lets you get a glimpse of the good, the bad and the ugly part of their life comes across as genuine. Like a friend.
The first program I listened to of his was “17 Lies that Hold You Back”. Loved it. Next I listened to “Re-inventing Yourself”. Loved it. Next I plowed through “The Story of You”. Loved it. Then “Mindshift”. Loved this one too.
Some people preach success but come across as holier than thou and fake. Not Steve. Check this man out if you haven’t already.
Note Taking Nerd #2