I’ve really been slacking lately.  {blush}

Sometimes I just get – I’ll go ahead and say it – straight up LAZY.

The past couple of weeks have been like this for me.  I have had zero motivation to do anything.  My plate is so full of things to do, I’m not even really sure where to start, and so I find myself avoiding it all together.

My question for you is what motivates you?  What gives you your motivation to face the day?  To tackle your to-do lists?  To stay on-task?

I think I’m finally out of my slump.  Here are 5 ways I motivate myself:

1. A big, bold cup of quality coffee in the morning. I probably shouldn’t admit that, but it is SO true.
2. Reasonable and achievable to-do lists each day. I keep them short.  I’d rather be able to cross everything off my list and feel accomplished than to make a GIGANTIC list that overwhelms me and leaves me feeling like I got nothing done.
3. At least 30 minutes of reflective, quiet time each day. I’ve learned I have to give myself a time slot each morning to relax, focus, calm down, gain some perspective, and prepare for the day.  I do it outside, if at all possible.  It helps me, A LOT.
4. Making life goals and working towards them. I’ve learned that even creating simple goals really helps.  It gives me something to work towards, rather than a blind feeling of moving towards nothing.
5. Exercise and a balanced diet. I feel so much more alert and ready to face the day when I am getting exercise each day and eating healthy.  Even if it’s just a 20 minute walk around the neighborhood with my husband, it gives me extra energy and keeps me from feeling lethargic.

What About You: Do any of these work for you?  Any other tips?

*Photo Credit

I’m riding home from a family get-together last Thursday afternoon.  The subject of nutrition comes up.  Everybody is talking about how my husband is not getting enough protein as a Vegetarian.  Suddenly I feel like a horrible wife who isn’t doing my job.

I become determined that I will pump my husband full of nutrition, keep him healthy, and be more consistent with dinner meals.

Over the weekend, I scour the Internet for all-natural, wholesome snack ideas.  I quickly become obsessed with the blog Kitchen Stewardship.

I just as quickly realize that I’m in over my head.  Thoughts swirl around in my head, emotions overcome me.  I’m overwhelmed. Who am I to think I have time for all this?  Or the abilities?

I decide to try to relax for a bit.  After all, it IS my day off of work.  Don’t I deserve it?  I spread out a quilt blanket on the grass out back.  I blend up a delicious smoothie and crunch on some almonds.  I grab 2 books that I’m currently reading, along with the newest edition of All You magazine that just arrived in the mail.

I’m feeling pretty good about myself.  I’m eating healthy, forcing myself to relax, soaking up some sunshine.  It’s a beautiful day.  Why was I so distressed in the first place?

Then I start reading my magazine.  With every turn of the page, I feel more horrible about myself:

• Fun do-it-yourself Easter craft projects (like I have time for that?)
• Decor on a dime (they make it look way too easy, and it’s NOT on a dime)
• Hair styling and makeup application tips (why is my beauty routine so bland…)
• How to save money on all-natural foods by buying from the bulk bins (there’s that nutrition popping up again)
• How to entertain guests (I’m so sick of being shy)
• Tone up those abs, Get walking, It’s easy to lose weight! (NO IT’S NOT.  Look at me.)
• Start your own business from home – it’s simple. (I think I can most definitely prove otherwise.)
• Spring cleaning checklist (OUCH)

A feeling of urgency wells up inside of me. I MUST DO SOMETHING OF WORTH.  I get back on the Kitchen Stewardship blog.  I see a link to a bundle of “Simplify Your life” eBooks on mega-sale.  I make a $47 impulse buy.  If anybody needs their life fixed, it’s me right now.

I start reading the eBooks.

Now I’m on the couch.

“I’m fat.  I have no time.  I’m a lousy wife.  I’m not crafty.  My wedding pictures aren’t even in scrapbooks yet.  I need a makeover.  My hair is a mess.  We eat processed food.  My belly has rolls.  My arms jiggle.  My house is an absolute wreck.  Decor?  Forget that.  My blog is a failure, not a success.  I’ll never lose weight.  I have no friends.  Everybody finds me annoying.  I don’t ever get anything done.  My time management stinks.  Piles of laundry.  Bills to pay.  Messy kitchen.  Food going bad.  Need to go grocery shopping.  Coupons aren’t organized.  Crap – I need to go up to the gas station to buy my paper.  Back to work tomorrow.  Will things ever change?  Why can’t I be like all these perfect people?  I need to be more green.  How do all these wives and moms have it under control?  My life isn’t simple enough.  I need an organization system.  My marriage is suffering.  Am I changing the world?  Am I loving people?  Man, I’m selfish.  What’s my purpose?”

I curl up in a ball and let the tears flow. My husband is still outside on the blanket.  I hope he doesn’t come inside and see me like this.  By the time he comes back in, I’m sitting up and staring off into space.  No expression.  Perfectly calm.  Not the everything will be okay calm, but the I don’t even care anymore.  There’s nothing I can do about it calm.

I look at him and say with determination, “I’m making homemade all-natural granola bars today.”

We take a long walk up to Publix, hand in hand.  He’s probably wondering why I’m squeezing so tight today.  It just feels nice.  He’s my best friend.  He knows why I want to make granola bars.  I don’t even have to tell him.  He’d rather relax for the rest of the day, keep the kitchen clean without any additional messes, and forget about errands.  But he takes the long walk with me so that I can make my granola bars and get my newspaper for coupons.

We walk through the door of our house.  I open the fridge to grab the milk to make potato soup for dinner.  I realize we forgot to get milk.  Up we go to Publix once again, on foot.  We don’t like using the car unless we absolutely have to.

I make my potato soup…and homemade granola bars…and homemade vegetable dip…and potato skin crispies…and boil some eggs…and slice some cheese…and attempt to make homemade fruit roll ups (It’s an utter failure).

I feel a little bit better about myself.  I made homemade snacks for the week.  My husband can now grab a healthy snack any time he wants.

Kyle eats a granola bar as he sits down on the couch with me, and says, “These granola bars are amazing.  It’s all going to be okay.  You’re beautiful.”

I smile and think to myself…“I’m doing the very best I can.”

Monday morning I wake up with an anxious heart and busy mind.  So much to do, so little time.  Instead of immediately tackling my to-do list, I sit outside in a chair.  I sip on a cup of coffee and watch the sun climb higher and higher in the sky.  I pray.  I read.  I clear my mind and calm my heart.

I can do this thing called life.  One step at a time.  Being true to who I am.  I will be myself…and I will be happy with who God has made me to be inside and out, circumstances and all.

Oh, and I’ll be making homemade power bars later on this week. 

Do you ever compare yourself to others?  It can truly be disastrous.  I hope we can all learn to accept ourselves exactly as we are.  We’re all in different stages of life.  Magazines are not reality.  Everybody looks perfect from the outside.  None of us are.

*Photo Credit: TheBusyBrain