We’ve all been there: just when everything is going wonderful, something upsets the balance and causes, what feels like, an enormous step-back.
Dreaming of a blissful world, free of worry is great, but the truth is, life is never going to be completely plain sailing. That’s not to say that there will never be glorious moments of success and happiness throughout life. But these can be hard to conjure and remember when something less pleasant wanders through and disrupts the peace.
Staying motivated when the world is particularly turbulent around you can be difficult. There are many ways you can overcome tough times and keep your chin up, though. In the words of Winston Churchill:
“If you’re going through hell, keep going.” — Winston Churchill
Here are five ways to maintain a determined and positive attitude that will help you keep heading towards your end goal, whatever that might be.
Make a List of the Positives
It’s hard to shift negative emotions if you’re feeling at rock bottom. But, a little trick that can help you easily reassess your situation is to jot down the positives. Take a step back from what is not working and what is not going well for you, and instead focus on the things that are.
Make a list of any small (or big) things that currently bring you happiness, as well as the things you are thankful for. Whilst this can be a difficult pill to swallow, especially if you’re finding it hard to pinpoint any good things, putting your situation into perspective can divert attention away from the negatives. Thinking about what you do have and not what you’ve lost (or what’s slipped through your grasp) will help you move beyond the sticky state of self-pity.
Channel your energies into what you enjoy and dedicate time to strengthening the relationships of the people around you who are the most important to you. Return to this list regularly, particularly if you are feeling at a loss. Reminding yourself of the positives in your life can help balance out the negatives, allowing you to pick yourself up and overcome the obstacles in your path. And, remember:
“One must not let oneself be overwhelmed by sadness.” — Jackie Kennedy
Look For Meaning in Your Actions
Reflecting on your previous actions can help you move forwards. Of course, this doesn’t mean dwelling on mistakes or meticulously dissecting your problems. Instead, look back on your failures or any setbacks you’ve encountered and seek meaning. Something that many people are prone to overlooking is that even your failures can offer invaluable experience and bring you closer to success.
You’ll likely find that the issues that have caused you to become unmotivated or sorrowful are, in hindsight, not the be-all-and-end-all. Turning your current situation on its head through this form of reflection can also pave a clearer path towards your next steps. What did you learn from these experiences? Highlight what you can do differently next time, and pinpoint exactly what it is that truly makes you happy or unhappy, what causes you to feel driven or bored.
“What seems to us as bitter trials are often blessings in disguise.” — Oscar Wilde
After all, the negative emotions and inertia you may be currently feeling will always pass.
It’s worth also taking a close look at the present moment. What are you currently doing? Does this bring you happiness? Do your actions feel rewarding? Feeling unmotivated can be the result of not just setbacks, but also a lack of desire or excitement for your current day-to-day motions. As writer Emily Esfahani Smith explains in her TED Talk, there’s more to life than being happy. Finding the “purpose gives you something to live for, some ‘why’ that drives you forward”.
Which leads us on to…
Keep Creating & Doing
Staying creatively engaged and keeping your mind open and active, rather than switching off completely can be really beneficial. Breaking free of a mental-block, creative-rut or unmotivated state-of-mind isn’t easy, but if you put the brakes on everything you’re doing, you won’t get anywhere. Whilst it may feel comforting to seek solace and temporarily disengage from the world around you, it’s essential to keep creating and doing.
In fact, as humans, we can feel at our most creative during tough times. Many of the world’s greatest paintings, songs, novels, and other literary works were created as a result of heartbreak, sadness, or disappointment, something that Yoko Ono has been vocal in pointing out:
“Experiencing sadness and anger can make you feel more creative, and by being creative, you can get beyond your pain or negativity.” — Yoko Ono
Pursuing a passion, picking up a creative hobby or looking for inspiration among some of your favourite things (this Rory Gilmore reading challenge is a good place to start for like-minded book lovers) can help shake off any of the debilitating emotions you may be feeling.
Exploring your abilities through a creative outlet can re-energise you, whilst looking to the creative work of others (both past and present) can help you seek relief, drawing parallels between what you are feeling and experiencing, with that of what others have felt and endured before you. All in all, creative exploration can let you be more at peace with yourself and your situation, offering the perfect springboard for moving forwards.
Congratulate Yourself on Small Victories
Recognising your achievements can give you that much-needed boost of confidence and assurance that you are going to get through this and that you will succeed. When you’re working towards a special goal or trying to overcome a hardship, it can be all too easy to ignore the little successes along the way.
So, it’s time for another list… Make a log of everything that you achieve on the route to your larger goal. You might be surprised at how the list will grow. Depending on your situation, this could be something as simple as any of the following:
- Had a positive phone call or meeting with X today
- Exchanged business cards with X client at the networking event
- Wrote X number of words for my project
- Received a retweet or pinback on one of my posts from a company I follow
- Organised a catch-up with a friend or family member I’ve not seen in a while
Doing this will allow you to subconsciously break down your goal into more manageable steps or challenges to overcome, making it seem less daunting and intimidating to tackle. And, there’s no denying that each small victory can ignite a burst of happiness and satisfaction when you achieve it.
Allow Yourself Time Off
A final thing to consider on the road to overcoming lethargy and a lack of motivation is to allow yourself time off now and again. Pushing your way through hard times can be exhausting. It’s easy to get caught up in the desperation of seeking your end goal, but not taking a moment to pause and breathe can actually be counterproductive and result in a relapse or burnout.
“It does not matter how slowly you go, so long as you do not stop.” — Confucius
Sometimes, all it takes to break free of negativity and despondency is a change of scenery. If you’re stuck in the office or at home all day, you can become narrowed into a single headspace and frame of mind. You don’t have to go to the end of the Earth either (although a distant holiday can be especially advantageous); walking round your local park or embracing nature around you can evoke feelings of calmness and peace. There’s no denying that the bustle and noise of city life can be overwhelming at times, so there’s a reason that the quietude and fresh air of nature is proven to soothe the mind and elevate our mood.
So, if you’re struggling to stay motivated and overcome hardships, remember to take time to reflect, rejuvenate your spirits by keeping busy, highlight your every achievement, and allow yourself the chance to just breathe. And, don’t forget:
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