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 a freelancer. 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 columnist or blog? (Like The Wealthy Freelancer!) Or upbeat when you hear a certain song on your iPod? Or less stressed when you sip tea at a favorite cafe? 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 freelance 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, bitch to) by phone from time to time.
What are YOUR motivation buttons? If you don’t know, find them. You can probably come up with a dozens 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 author of The Wealthy Freelancer, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Starting a Web Based Business, and 5 other books. You can find him here, at Starbucks, or at www.SteveSlaunwhite.com.
photo courtesy Flickr
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Maybe common knowledge now, but I only learned several years ago, when I took one of my kids to an occupational therapist for balance issues, that chewing helps increase focus and can improve productivity. (The therapist handed out gum to all her clients.) Studies were sponsored by Wrigley, so they focused on chewing gum, but I suspect the same results come from chewing anything crunchy. So maybe having a pack of gum on the desk may be all the help you need when you start losing motivation. Read more here: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119826.php
I keep several AC/DC albums on my computer for this very reason. It’s sort of like chugging 3 cans of Red Bull. But long-term, regular hard exercise keeps that switch in the on position most of the day.
Lisa – I had no idea about gum and increased focus. Actually makes sense. Need to stock up!
Dean – AC/DC brings back memories of college dorm parties! The kind that got everyone in trouble! Know what you mean about the Red Bull effect, though.
For me, it’s comedy. I love to reward myself with a few minutes of old Steve Martin, George Carlin or Stephen Wright stand-up clips. Not only do I love to laugh, but laughing is therapeutic and gets my creative juices flowing again.
A sunny day always motivates me. Take a break, walk in the sun for 30 minutes and then head back to work with a new attitude.
No sun! I go to a kick boxing class and work out my frustrations punching and kicking air.