Motivation is the engine behind how we live our lives. We fire it up, when we need to go that extra mile, in whatever it is we’re desiring to do; it is your spark. Motivation is also a great goal starter. What’s your motivation for wanting to exercise again, and how can you keep that at the forefront of all you do? What about writing—what is or are your motivations for that? And how strong are they?
These are all questions for people, not just writers. We’re here, in a sense, to achieve different things for ourselves. Not everyone should be “motivated” to find a cure for cancer, or to write the next great world novel. But we should all be slightly motivated for something just as big for our souls. Soothing those battling cancers, or writing small, less grandiose shorts for literature journals are just as satisfying because we’re still doing the work.
- Tap into the power of visualization. Athletes are often linked with using the power of visualization to get things going. But anyone can really tap into this superpower with time and dedication. Remember what it was like to imagine when you were little, to daydream of lives and events of your future? If this is still foreign to you, take your time to develop this skill. Sit for 5-10 minutes a day, imagining what a day of the ideal you will look like. What clothes do you wear? How do you feel walking into work, doing what you do daily and what tweaks would you make to your approach and thinking? Imagine yourself doing all your day-to-day with a smile on your face, your favorite tumbler full of tea or coffee, bag in hand and so on. Do this daily for a few minutes and then slowly, but surely, increase to create other scenarios. What does the ideal way of writing your book looks like? Is the sun out and what are you writing? How many pages along are you? And what are you doing for research? This is the power of visualization. Do it daily and reap the rewards of it.
CHECK OUT: 5 Ways to Nurture Your Idea Before a Pitch - Accept the trips and falls. So you didn’t write for the whole week, like you intended to do. Or you got yet another rejection. Those days and moments that feel heavier than most are necessary every once in a while, even if it feels like it’s more than that. That is what keeps the world balanced. Can you imagine a world with no loss, no rejections or drawbacks? Where is the balance in too much joy?
- Time is always of essence. Astrology highlights the importance of time, taking advantage of specific times and the energy that accompanies it, and also, probably most importantly, when not to act and instead take a break. There is a time for all our action, for us staying motivated and we can track down our days to better understand what those dates and times are, to use for our own advantage.
- Stay hydrated and well-rested. We underestimate how important it is to drink water and sleep. To simple habit that can reap huge rewards for us in the long-run. According to the American Heart Association, “if you’re well hydrated, your heart doesn’t have to work as hard,” adding that if you’re thirsty then you’re already dehydrated. Getting rest is just as important, because it provides your body and mind (your tools for writing) an opportunity to recover.
- Watch out for cynicism, especially your own. Your attitude is everything. If that’s not right, then the other items on this list won’t matter. For writers, cynicism especially, is a big culprit to be mindful of when doing our work. The opposite of being a cynic is being an optimist, having confidence and faith in what we do; trusting our highest good and allowing it to lead our way. Always think of the opposite of what you’re thinking when it’s leading you down a doubtful path. Create or write our a real dialogue with your inner cynic. List some of your biggest doubts, fears and doubts. Allow it to speak to you and address it back. Whenever lack of motivation creeps in, sit down and have a one-to-one again with the cynic and sarcastic part of you.
The Writing Orbit 