When Your “Get Up and Go” Has Gone

Sometimes, I just don't feel like it. And my guess is that the same is true for you.

What's it?

Fill in the blank with whatever feels true for you. Maybe you don't feel like studying; or working; or cooking; or exercising; or meeting with a friend; or working on that project; or making dinner. Whatever "it" is, there are times when a lack of motivation creeps up on you and gets in the way of "it" happening.

Nobody is immune to this feeling. We all have moments, days, months – pick a block of time – when motivation wanes. The question isn't whether or not it will happen; instead, the question is what to do when it does.

In our goal-oriented, results-driven society, too many folks try to power their way through the blah feelings, trying to reach a motivated state. Sometimes it works; sometimes not so much. It's not exactly a reliable solution.

So what’s the alternative? Or if not the definitive alternative, what is AN alternative? How do you overcome the blah?

What I am learning is that the first step is to be really honest that your “get up and go” has “gotten up and gone”. Quit trying to pretend you're motivated when you're not. Name what's going on. "I feel uninspired today." Or, "I just don't want to ____________ today."

Once you've named your truth, take a moment -- or five, or ten -- to stand in the question of what is getting in the way. What is it that's diminishing your drive? Is it fatigue? Frustration? Lack of clarity? Lack of support? Lack of interest? Or competing interests? Whatever it is, getting clear will go a long way to helping you find a solution. And that, ultimately, is what you're after: a solution for the blahs.

Sometimes, naming what's going in IS the solution in and of itself. There's a way that honesty can remove any and all obstacles like nobody's business. 

Sometimes, once you realize what's getting in the way, you can source or create an alternative path. It’s like the naming clears a path for a workable solution to appear.

And sometimes, the solution is to just be with the blahs. Don’t fight them, don’t push them away, don’t ignore them. Just let them have space. Which really means, let yourself be in the blah until you feel the smallest itch to shift. That small nudge will move you forward, even if it’s only by a bit.

What you don't want to do is give up. Although your drive may have diminished for the moment, it doesn't mean that the goal is no longer worthy of your time and energy.

I recently read something along the lines of "when you're tired, learn to rest; but whatever you do, don't give up."

I know that feeling uninspired can leave you in a space of wanting to quit. How do I know? Because I've been there. Some days, I still find myself there. There’s a lot going on in my life that is energy depleting. And, what I know for sure is that quitting will not serve. If you or I quit every time we lose our sense of drive, we'll never accomplish anything.

So, whenever you feel that lack of motivation, whenever you find yourself in that "I don't want to" space, pause. Give yourself some breathing room. Take a break. Just don't abandon ship. Allow yourself to be rejuvenated, and then take a breath and keep moving. You may have to change direction; just don't change your goal.