UNLEASHING THE MOTIVATION MONSTER: MY ROLLERCOASTER RIDE TO PRODUCTIVITY

Hey there, fellow motivation-seekers! Today, I'm going to take you on a wild and personal journey through the ups, downs, and loop-de-loops of finding motivation. Buckle up, because it's going to be a thrilling ride!

Picture this: It's a lazy Sunday morning, and I'm sprawled on my couch, binge-watching dog videos on YouTube. Sound familiar? Yep, we've all been there. The motivation monster had seemingly taken a vacation, and I couldn't find the energy to do anything productive.

One day, as I was deep-diving into the world of motivational speeches, I stumbled upon a video of a TED Talk by a dynamic speaker who radiated enthusiasm like a firework on New Year's Eve. Her secret? She found inspiration in the most unexpected places, from the way leaves danced in the wind to the hum of a coffee shop. I decided to give it a try. With newfound determination, I embarked on a quest to find inspiration in the mundane. I took long walks in the park, listened to the rustling leaves, and eavesdropped on coffee shop conversations (don't judge me!). To my surprise, these little moments began to spark my motivation.

You see, I need to keep in mind that my ego is often reduced to becoming a liar in order to protect me in the way it thinks it should. Often, my ego will try to protect me by using the oldest and the dirtiest tricks in the book. She’ll pull out moments from my past to invite depression in. Certainly, someone who is depressed will stay safe at home and look how safe we are here without anything else to put us in harm’s way. Or perhaps she’ll pull out a fear of the future and bring anxiety to the party. It’s important for me to remember, when she’s the loudest, that my ego is not the arbiter of truth; that job belongs to the heart. The heart knows, but she’s not going to yell louder than the ego. She’s patient, and she only wants what you want. And if what you want is bad feelings, well, she’s willing to go along with that for as long as you can stand it. The heart is patiently waiting for us to show up and knock on her door for a little advice about the good feelings we’re rejecting. Maybe she’ll even reveal the source of the problem to you so you can finally deal with your triggers once and for all. You just have to get quiet and listen to what comes.

Belief isn't just a mystical force that descends upon us; it's also a result of setting achievable goals. I started breaking down my grand ambitions into smaller, more manageable tasks. Suddenly, I was checking off my to-do list like a pro.

Enter the WakeUp100 challenge from Lindsay Teague

She says "I find that the challenge of doing something hard every day for 100 days makes my ego really tired. And when she’s tired, she’s awfully quiet. There’s not time to get in your headspace if you’ve filled it with something else.

• When I show up at the gym every day, I remember I am strong, capable, and alive inside. That’s beautiful. Now I remember.

• When I show up to meditate every morning, I remember I am focused, determined, and the master of my internal state.

• When I show up to stay on a budget or remain financially disciplined, I remember I want something more for my life, and I am the creator of that destiny.

• When I show up to do the hard work in counseling or therapy, I remember I am never stuck and that my happiness is of the utmost importance.

• When I show up consistently to work, I remember that I love what I get to do, and I am writing the story of my career.

• When I show up to connect with my friends and family and make them feel special, I remember how relationships are the only thing we get to take with us from this life on earth and that I need others to hold up mirrors for me on my journey back to myself.

Each day that I show up to the WakeUp100 challenge, I take one step closer to myself and one step closer to wholeness. If you’re struggling to keep motivated for the 100 days, I find that it helps to break them down into 25-day quarters.

• Days 1-25: I simply show up. I congratulate myself for a job well done, and I move on with my day.

• Days 26-50: I show up, and this time I do it with a good attitude. I don’t start until I remember why I showed up in the first place, and my attitude matches my intention.

• Days 51-75: I show up with a good attitude, and I give 100% of my effort. These are the days that will test you. Attitude and effort together are an absolute ego-crusher. Expect to slip into fighting for your obstacles on some of these days so you can be aware of it and stop it at the first hint of negativity.

• Days 76-100: I show up with a good attitude, I give 100% effort and then I shower myself with compliments and praise. I say out loud how grateful I am for the ability to do anything I want to do in my life. I spend my days at the end of this challenge in the highest vibrational feelings I can muster".

It’s amazing how much changes in you when you make the decision to stop fighting for the enemy.

Here's the truth: motivation isn't a constant companion. It's more like a rollercoaster ride. Sometimes you're at the top of the world, and other times you're plummeting into uncertainty. Embracing this ebb and flow, I learned to be kind to myself on those "down" days. Over time, I realized that motivation isn't just about getting things done; it's about the joy of making progress. Whether it's a step closer to a dream job or mastering a new hobby, every little achievement became a source of motivation in itself.

As I continued my motivation journey, I noticed something incredible. The motivation monster, once elusive, had become a faithful companion. It wasn't always roaring, but it was always there, ready to lend a helping hand when I needed it.

So, my fellow motivation-seekers, the quest to find motivation is a thrilling adventure. It's about embracing the unpredictable, finding inspiration in the ordinary, and celebrating every small victory. Remember, it's not just about reaching the destination; it's about enjoying the journey.

Now, I'm off to watch some more dog videos. But don't worry; I've got a to-do list that's calling my name afterward. Until next time, keep chasing your motivation magic, and may your motivation monster be your loyal sidekick on this wild ride called life! 🚀

XO,

Marie