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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Phillipa on February 10, 2007, at 11:38:34
How do you motivate yourself? I'm just here if you know what I mean. I really have no where to go. But I can't sit still. But I don't want to clean. So how do I motivate myself to do anything. Anyone have the same problem? Love Phillipa
Posted by cubic_me on February 10, 2007, at 13:10:06
In reply to How Do You Motivate Yourself?, posted by Phillipa on February 10, 2007, at 11:38:34
I have a major problem with this, and it's one of the things my Therapist and I have set down as a therapy goal.
Sometimes I just procrastonate (sometimes for months, especially paperwork and anything involving phonecalls) and sometimes I just can't get motivated to do anything at all.
My best strategy is to link up with someone else, so I'll say 'why don't we do that exercise video/revision/track down our tutor... at X o'clock?' and then I'm committed, I have to do it because someone expects me to do it. Failing that, I tell someone I'm going to so something (like clean the kitchen or sort my bills or whatever) and I know they could ask me about it and I'd feel stupid if I haven't done it!
Another thing that helps is to pick a time when I'm 'on the go' already, like when I've just got home from work. I'm already upright (if I sit down I'm doomed to an evening of doing nothing) and things don't seem as much of an effort. I think there's a saying 'If you want something done, get a busy person to do it', and I seem to work better busy.
Is there anything that you'd rather do than clean? Cleaning isn't the most motivating of things! If you have to clean, why not tell yourself when you've don 20mins of cleaning you can have a reward (a coffee, watch a tv programme or whatever) - I tend to do that when I'm revising or writing an essay.
I hope you find some motivation soon, and if you do, can you pass a litle bit to me please?!
Posted by Jo U.K on February 10, 2007, at 14:13:25
In reply to Re: How Do You Motivate Yourself? » Phillipa, posted by cubic_me on February 10, 2007, at 13:10:06
I know what you mean Phillipa, I have too much time on my hands and I'm on my own during most of the day. I always think ' Oh I cant be bothered, I'll do that tomorrow'. I find that the busier I am, the more I do.
The only thing that helps me is to write a list of goals. Stuff like, take library books back, call so and so, go to bank/post office etc etc. Then FORCE myself to work through the list. Sometimes it takes me a week to get through a simple list of tasks. But it's satisfying once they are all ticked off! It's a good job I'm not running the country eh?
Kind regards
Jo
Posted by Poet on February 10, 2007, at 15:35:57
In reply to How Do You Motivate Yourself?, posted by Phillipa on February 10, 2007, at 11:38:34
Hi Phillipa,
I have the same problem big time. I'm home all day and the house is a mess. I haven't washed the bedding in three weeks, and today I told myself I am washing the sheets. It's 3:30 and the rumpled, dirty sheets are still on the unmade bed. My motivation to finally wash them is my husband comes home from work in an hour and I can't take the looks I get from him. So I guess my motivation is avoidance of dirty looks.
Time to head to the chilly basement and get those sheets washed. Sigh.
Poet
Posted by Declan on February 10, 2007, at 17:46:43
In reply to How Do You Motivate Yourself?, posted by Phillipa on February 10, 2007, at 11:38:34
Yes, me.
I don't know PJ, I really don't.
My doctor tells me about a friend who really perked up with a diagnosis of leukemia, which at least explained things. Kinda puts a time limit on it too.Not wanting to clean just means you are of sound mind.
But not being able to sit still?Too cold to go biking?
Posted by Phillipa on February 10, 2007, at 19:35:11
In reply to Anyone have the same problem?, posted by Declan on February 10, 2007, at 17:46:43
Declan I have never met anyone with your sense of humor so a possibly terminal illness is the answer. Yes it's cold but only l hour of biking what do I do then. Bug you all here with all my responses? Love Phillipa ps maybe I should invent the magic pill. Oh I think Declan already may have it. Problem is he won't share
Posted by Kath on February 10, 2007, at 19:47:32
In reply to Re: Anyone have the same problem? » Declan, posted by Phillipa on February 10, 2007, at 19:35:11
I have similar problems with getting anything done around the house. I shouldn't say 'anything'....I seem to be able to keep the kitchen looking not bad, for some reason.
It's my areas of clutter/stuff needing sorting, etc that is the problem.
sigh. Kath
PS - some good suggestions above!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by DannaB on February 10, 2007, at 22:26:10
In reply to How Do You Motivate Yourself?, posted by Phillipa on February 10, 2007, at 11:38:34
It's hard to motivate myself, but I use a few tricks.
I'll think about something fun I want to do (eg. read a trashy magazine) but first I have to get the chore out of the way. An additional benefit is you aren't dreading the chore while doing the enjoyable thing, which is what might happen if you indulged in the "treat" first.
I'll clean/straighten while I'm watching something good on tv.
Having a guest over is great motivation to straighten up.
As far as motivating myself towards big goals (like getting into graduate school) the way I've done that is to focus on one step at the time and NOT think about the big picture. That's because if I think too hard I allow myself to get discouraged. I also avoid discussing the decision with others because inevitably they express conflicting opinions and this makes me doubt my choices.
As far as studying, I can't concentrate in my apt. so I always study at a cafe. I can only goof off so much if all I have with me is my books.
Lastly, I work best when I do things well in advance. So on my calendar I mark due dates for all assignments, as well as reminders for several weeks prior. That way I have an idea if I'm making enough progress towards the goal.
Best wishes,
Danna
Posted by Declan on February 11, 2007, at 2:34:36
In reply to Re: Anyone have the same problem? » Declan, posted by Phillipa on February 10, 2007, at 19:35:11
Well, a diagnosis gives meaning to suffering.
But 'depression' doesn't cut it like 'leukemia'.
And (excuse me) that is right. Because there....how can I say this?
But the suffering is real.
Posted by Dinah on February 11, 2007, at 10:48:22
In reply to How Do You Motivate Yourself?, posted by Phillipa on February 10, 2007, at 11:38:34
And then I excoriate myself for being lazy.
Posted by ralphrost on February 20, 2007, at 22:58:56
In reply to Anyone have the same problem?, posted by Declan on February 10, 2007, at 17:46:43
> But not being able to sit still?
>
> Too cold to go biking?Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!
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