Getting Your Groove Back

[Craig]

The following question was asked of Michele on a private forum.
Because it so relevant for many people she wanted to share it here on the general forums (it has been edited for brevity and all personal details have been removed of course).

The question was:

Hi Michele,

I love your ideas and have enjoyed reading the Get Organized Wizard's downloadable free booklet on getting organized.

Right now, for me personally, I'm just not motivated to get anything done; I have a sort of "why bother" attitude.

Professionally, I've been stagnant. Not sure why; it's probably related to having lost my job in 2008, disappointment in how our country's being run, and the lack of a positive economic outlook that is seemingly not as conducive to starting a business or forging ahead with new ideas.

Personally, I feel stuck in a rut. I could work on cleaning up my home office, further organizing my house room by room, mend old clothes, shine the shoes, continue where I left off on photo albums...but other- more pressing matters- inevitably come up.

I guess I feel overwhelmed with to-do's and yet underwhelmed with want-to's.

I guess the underlying thing I lack is a clear set of goals and motivation from within.

It's that "have to but I can't" mentality that seems to hold me back, too.

But, it's pretty much where I am right now...stuck in malaise.

Thanks,

Michele's reply will follow below.

[Michele]

Hi <name removed>,

Thank you for posting this question - it's one I'm sure many people can relate to.

Here's my suggestion:

1. Forget about organizing for now, and focus instead on re-building your confidence and motivation.
2. Spend what time you have available on eating well, exercising, resting, and exposing yourself to positive, uplifting books, CDs, people, movies and music.
3. Get a check-up from your doc - who knows what underlying aliment, or even mild depression, might lurk below your malaise.

In short, get your groove back.

As soon as you feel an upturn in motivation, even a small one, do one of these:
1. Ask a friend, or hire a coach, to help you start to clarify your goals
2. Find a book at the library or bookstore on goal-setting and motivation. I love Brian Tracy's books myself ('Eat That Frog' and 'Goals' are faves).
3. Check out my programs:
* Life & Goal Organizer is great if you want a self-paced, structured workbook
Life & Goal Organizer - Personal Organizer Software for Achieving Personal Goals
* Design Your Life is better if you want to be led by the hand
Design Your Life Overview | The Motivating, Structured Way To Organize Your Life

Let me know how you go!
Michele