No Motivation

[RosyBlue]

Pretty much as far back as I can think I've been either lazy or unmotivated or something along those lines. Occationaly I'll get a jolt of ambition and actually get things done or do something I've always wanted to do, but it never lasts. When I found out I had rediculously high cholesterol I became very motivated to lose weight and get healthier. I really thought I was going to do it. And I really wanted to. But it only took a month to lose my drive. I have things I know I need to get done around the house, and I actually want to get them done, but instead I just sit around and watch tv or get on here. Before I thought it was because I was depressed, but now that I'm actually really happy for the first time in years, I'm still not finding motivation. I certainly have more now, but still not enough to do the things I want or need to do. I don't know how to fix it. How does a person fix a lack of motivation? I really don't think I'm lazy. If I was lazy I wouldn't WANT to get things done, but I really do want to. I come up with big dreams, but never do anything about them, or never finish. I'm sure being on meds would help, but I don't want to be on meds. I don't want a pill to decide my moods. Does anyone else here feel like this or have felt like this before?

[BrassFusion]

It's called personal responsibility. First step is to admit you're a lazyass. Do you REALLY think truly lazy people don't wish they could get things done?

I'm in the exact some boat as you, but I never considered medicating for it. The only way I can change myself is to form healthy habits and routines. Eh, I'm better (less lazy) than I was a year ago. Not where I want to be, but no one ever is.

[Onyx]

I have the same problem sometimes. I find unmotivation creeps up on me if I don't keep at myself, especially when I have a big project to do. The really hard part for me is getting started. I just have to make myself DO it.

I have to play tricks and reward myself sometimes -- 15 minutes of Playstation and then 15 minutes of working on whatever it is. (What can I say - I refuse to grow up). My timer is my friend.

eh - I remember that old saying "You can eat an elephant one bite at a time."

[RosyBlue]

I have an hour till I have to leave for work. I guess now would be the time to get off my butt and try to get as much of it done as possible.

[saechalyn]

I find if I'm unmotivated what's really going on is I feel overwhelmed. What helps a lot is breaking tasks down into small, manageable chunks. Focus on getting one thing done at a time. Wash the dishes without worrying about how the rest of the house is dirty. Also, make goals very clear and very specific. Instead of, "I'm going to lose weight," make a list of all the healthy habits you want to add, and tackle them one at a time. Like for example,

I'm going to eat breakfast every day.

I'm going to drink water instead of soda or juice.

I'm going to make sure I have vegetables with dinner.

I'm not going to eat fast food.

I'm going to go grocery shopping for the week instead of picking up takeout.

Pick one or two things and work on those. It will become easier with time as you develop new habits. Once you have those down, add more habits and it will all build up. Good luck!

[BrassFusion]

I find if I'm unmotivated what's really going on is I feel overwhelmed. What helps a lot is breaking tasks down into small, manageable chunks. Focus on getting one thing done at a time. Wash the dishes without worrying about how the rest of the house is dirty. Also, make goals very clear and very specific. Instead of, "I'm going to lose weight," make a list of all the healthy habits you want to add, and tackle them one at a time. Like for example,

I'm going to eat breakfast every day.

I'm going to drink water instead of soda or juice.

I'm going to make sure I have vegetables with dinner.

I'm not going to eat fast food.

I'm going to go grocery shopping for the week instead of picking up takeout.

Pick one or two things and work on those. It will become easier with time as you develop new habits. Once you have those down, add more habits and it will all build up. Good luck!

Very good advice here...

[Homicidalheathen]

Some good music always gets me going.

[torn asunder]

the best motivation i've ever had is to surround myself with encouraging, supportive, uplifting people, and to limit/remove the people who drag you down.

Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great. Mark Twain

i always think of this quote in those kinds of situations (even if the "ambition" seems to be minor) - it's helped me quite a bit...

[Fierce Critter]

I was unmotivated for over 4 years. It was called clinical depression.

Not saying that's what youv'e got. But people thought I was just horribly lazy. It really sucked to be branded with that, when there was so much I wanted to do, but just was powerless to put into action.

Now that I've been properly medicated, I have to actually plan down time so I won't overdo things. I'm not manic, just ready and able to do things.

Maybe you're overwhelmed, maybe you're not sure how to organize yourself. Or maybe you've got depression, or something similar. Lots to think about and investigate.

I'd go the routes people are suggesting here, of course. But if all that fails and things don't improve, I could suggest a way to get a free test for clinical depression. Just lemme know.

[RosyBlue]

I find if I'm unmotivated what's really going on is I feel overwhelmed. What helps a lot is breaking tasks down into small, manageable chunks.

Yeah I do feel overwhelmed at times. Mostly where I used to live because the house had gotten so filthy that I just didn't know where to begin, so I didn't. I do make lists for myself for what I need to get done that day, and that does help, but it's a matter of starting on the list to begin with. That's a good idea you have for losing weight. Never thought to just add one thing at a time. Hard part is subjecting others to my diet. I don't want to do that.

the best motivation i've ever had is to surround myself with encouraging, supportive, uplifting people, and to limit/remove the people who drag you down.

My ex always put down my plans that I'd make. Instead of it just giving me more motivation to actually do it, it made me not want to try. But I'm out of that place now and I'm feeling much better about myself. So I agree with you.

I was unmotivated for over 4 years. It was called clinical depression.

I know I used to be clinicaly depressed, but the past couple of months I've felt so much better. I used to be on Effexor for anxiety and that gave me alot of energy. I was actually able to do things I was never able to do before. But I really don't want to be on meds. And I can't afford Effexor. It's like over $100 a month.

[Zenji]

Maybe you're just a Taurus and it's natural to feel that way.

I would almost agree that the "find a supportive partner" theory except that I've found that when you've got someone who's motivated to do stuff it often makes me less motivated. Now that I'm single with my son living with me, I find I'm much more motivated to cook, clean and take care of stuff cuz there's no one else to rely on.

For me, isolation has motivated me into being more active. Go Figure.

[torn asunder]

I would almost agree that the "find a supportive partner" theory except that I've found that when you've got someone who's motivated to do stuff it often makes me less motivated.

funny - i'm just the opposite... having someone now who's encouraging has helped me to start to tackle the enormous list of shit i have to get done, and it feels pretty good! what tends to work for me, is to make a list of a few major things, a few minor things, and a few fun-but-not-necessary things; then, whenever you get some motivation, choose an item from one of the three sections, depending on how motivated you are... that way, no matter what, you're accomplishing something, and getting one step closer to where you want to be!

[Zenji]

Making lists makes me feel like I'm being buillied. even if I made the list. I reject coersion, even if it's by myself. I try to go on the spontiniety theory or rather the theory of memory.

Was there something I was supposed to do today? Oh yeah! Am I doing anyhting now that's more important? Probably not. Guess I can go ahead and do it!

Other than that, having an almost 2 year old constantly destroying everything in his path tends to motivate me good to clean, organize and always be on time. It's like he's the taskmaster am I'm the unwitting servant.

Oh dad, you don't want to vaccuum? How about if I SHRED my food all over the floor. Will you vaccuum then?

Oh dad,your dvd aren't in alphabetical order, how about if I take them all off the shelf and really mix them up. Can't find your movie? Try organizing them!

Oh dad, you like your little statues on the shelf, they're a bit dusty. How about I take them all off and put them on your clean couch. Wow, maybe you should dust while they're not on the shelf.

Other than that I pretty much use the "When I get around to it" method which is now the, "If you don't do it the child will destroy everything" method.

[torn asunder]

Other than that I pretty much use the "When I get around to it" method which is now the, "If you don't do it the child will destroy everything" method.

[RosyBlue]

Maybe you're just a Taurus and it's natural to feel that way.

Nope. I'm a Leo. *rawr*

I've really been making progress with some things in my life in the past couple of months. Having someone around me that is supportive, but isn't going to do things for me has helped alot. This way I have to do it, but I know I have support if I need it.

Now I just need to work on getting out of bed before noon on my days off....

[Fierce Critter]

I know I used to be clinicaly depressed, but the past couple of months I've felt so much better. I used to be on Effexor for anxiety and that gave me alot of energy. I was actually able to do things I was never able to do before. But I really don't want to be on meds. And I can't afford Effexor. It's like over $100 a month.

If your symptoms are more of lack of motivation rather than being "blue" or "sad" all the time, more than likely your problem is not with serotonin, which Effexxor targets. I learned this by doing my own research. It's dopamine that controls things related to motivation, energy, etc.

Effexxor targets serotonin and norepenephrine - mood related. Wellbutrin, which I'm on now, targets norepheephrine and dopamine - energy and motivation related. Effexxor did nothing for me. Wellbutrin has been miraculous.

I am taking the generic form of Wellbutrin, called Bupropion. It's a twice a day tablet that is sustained release. I recommend calling around pharmacies and asking what they charge for it. The cheapest probably will be Wal-Mart. But try Farmer Jack, CVS, Rite-Aid, Walgreens, Kroger, etc. You may find the Bupropion is affordable.

That's if you even need it. Just 'cause my lack of motivation was related to depression doesn't mean I think everybody else with a "get up and do" problem is depressed, too.

[Zenji]

Aside from the whip-cracking of my son, I can only really focus on things when I'm in the mood. Once I'm ready and fully prepared to take on a task I absolutely hate to be interfered with.

Especially if it's a difficult task. I "try" to start several times so I can figure out everything that may keep me from finishing in one shot. Once I calculate all of the forseeable deterrents and counter them (or in many cases do an outline and do my research), then I can spend hours on a single project.

I'm not good with making lists, but I have excellent note taking skills when doing research for writing stuff (usually character backgrounds for vampire) which often involve decades to cover while weaving fiction and history.

Since I'm a Taurus and prone to laziness (which I consider thoughtful contemplation of future tasks) and also since I've worked in Lean Manufacturing environments I unfortunately try to streamline stuff far too much.

Like... if I need somehting from the store I usually won't go unless I need something from multiple stores located in close areas. This way I save on time and energy by doing both tasks at the same time. Unless I have a LOT of grocery shopping to do I rarely just go to the grocery store itself.

I also find that if I don't make a list of individual items I need at stores but rely on memory I tend to be less stressed about the situation and enjoy my tasking better. Having multiple locations doesn't stress me out as much as having only one goal.

Now, to contradict myself... I often find it comforting and quite logical to drive hundreds of miles for many hours to take a photo of a lighthouse, only to turn around after 15 minutes at my destination and head back home.

[ManicQueen]

Making lists makes me feel like I'm being buillied. even if I made the list. I reject coersion, even if it's by myself. I try to go on the spontiniety theory or rather the theory of memory.

Was there something I was supposed to do today? Oh yeah! Am I doing anyhting now that's more important? Probably not. Guess I can go ahead and do it!

Other than that, having an almost 2 year old constantly destroying everything in his path tends to motivate me good to clean, organize and always be on time. It's like he's the taskmaster am I'm the unwitting servant.

Oh dad, you don't want to vaccuum? How about if I SHRED my food all over the floor. Will you vaccuum then?

Oh dad,your dvd aren't in alphabetical order, how about if I take them all off the shelf and really mix them up. Can't find your movie? Try organizing them!

Oh dad, you like your little statues on the shelf, they're a bit dusty. How about I take them all off and put them on your clean couch. Wow, maybe you should dust while they're not on the shelf.

Other than that I pretty much use the "When I get around to it" method which is now the, "If you don't do it the child will destroy everything" method.

Cute. That is so Nate.

[Draco1958]

Now I just need to work on getting out of bed before noon on my days off....

Unless a supportive S/O wants to keep you there. LOL

Sorry, sometimes I just can't control myself.

[RosyBlue]

Unless a supportive S/O wants to keep you there. LOL

This is true