Getting motivated and getting things done...

Ucof said:
I used to have HORRIBLE motivational problems (too much smoking and realising that whatever i was supposed to be doing was just not worth the effort ;) ).

I found that saying "Just do it" was the best way.

9 times out of 10, it isnt has tedious or as hard as you think it is, and you feel so much better when it is out of the way.
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This. I'm one of the least motivated people in the world when it comes to actually doing things (I think I over-think them, or build them up in my head to be bigger than they actually are?). But, like Ucof, I've found that basically clearing my head and just getting on with it usually works best!

Oh and I think lists can be a real help. A friend of mine makes lists for absolutely everything. Christ, she has lists of lists. She's by far the most on top of her work out of anyone I know, pursues the most hobbies and manages to squeeze in far more things in a day than I thought possible. Might be something you should consider :p.
 
Instead of focusing on these projects and getting them done I simply cruise along or browse the Internet.
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Easily done.. I don't think it's lack of motivation, more like there is something more interesting you could be spending your time on rather than work,. The internet must be a curse for businesses. Most of us don't really need it but it's there anyway and the temptation of using it when we should be working must cost the industry millions. Social networking, shoppings, media viewing etc is all there on your desk.. It's too much of a temptation.
 
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You won't like my opinion but if you can't motivate yourself to work on a business at the start up phase, you ain't cut out for it.

So my advice is get a new job that you like.
 
Whilst I can empathise with you splooge, you gotta find something that interests you/grabs your attention and just go for it. Simples.

I work in I.T standard 9-5, I do love my job and employer at the moment. I do all the tech stuff and support the people because it's a small/medium business (private bank). It does get a bit yawnfest at times and like you I have the occasional browse of the net.

Although I split my CBA time by studying for some computing qualifiactions at the moment that will backup my experience from here and other employers which I hope will help in the future.

Do you want a completley new career path or just something different? I assume like me your interest lies in I.T outside of work (Browsing, gaming, other activities, etc)?

If you're like me, you could try cutting down on your IT hobby I can pretty much get my fill for it whilst getting paid at work and then when getting home doing some new projects or if not doing something new with your life. My goal soon is to start excercise although I keep putting it off :) There are other things like going kickboxing, getitng into mountain biking, anything really that stands out and makes you feel good. The development manager here loves his motorbikes (like me) and always has done. His kids have grown up and he is quitting smoking soon and trying to get fit in order to go back to motorcrossing :D

Just some ideas, not a great ones but some thoughts none the less :)


Oh yeh, and obligatory ignorant "man up", "least you have a job", "least you have a wife & family" responses thrown in too incase you didn't like the above ;)
 
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as said before, know how you feel. I think what a lot of people makes sense, especially to me. The whole building things up in my head and instead of just doing it ( nike style ) thinking about how i might mess it up etc and i guess get scarred by it and never get on with it. I find lists really really REALLY help. It kind of gets all the worries out of your head and organised so you can really concentrate on what your doing. Lists are great, just doing it is great and trying not to worry is great :)

Oh and pat your self on the back when you do something, it will spur you on
 
Jambo said:
You won't like my opinion but if you can't motivate yourself to work on a business at the start up phase, you ain't cut out for it.

So my advice is get a new job that you like.
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Rubbish. Juts because I lack motivation at this point in time means I'm not cut out for working for myself? Perhaps you missed the bit where I pointed out it wasn't just this area where I lack motivation.

MikeHunt79 said:
unplug the internet
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Bit of a problem when it is needed to create and publish the content that the business!

Knubje said:
Although I split my CBA time by studying for some computing qualifiactions at the moment that will backup my experience from here and other employers which I hope will help in the future.

Do you want a completley new career path or just something different? I assume like me your interest lies in I.T outside of work (Browsing, gaming, other activities, etc)?

If you're like me, you could try cutting down on your IT hobby

Just some ideas, not a great ones but some thoughts none the less :)
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I'm not inclined to go for a new career but would rather work for myself. As far as my IT hobby goes it is almost all based on Apple computers (apart from gaming) and doesn't take up a massive amount of my free times as I spend more time on the other hobbies such as mountaineering, cycling and tennis.

Thanks for taking the time to post something constructive though. ;)
 
LordSplodge said:
N Just wish I had not wasted these two days as they would have been useful in getting back on track.
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Best advice I can give her is don't worry about wasted time. By definition if that time has been wasted then there's no point worrying about it, it's been and gone. Rather than look back thinking "wish I'd done this or that", look forward and say "I'm going to do x y z". That's the only way you'll get anything done.

I had severe motivational difficulties at uni and the lesson I learnt from that was that the temptation can be to keep putting things off until you hit the point of no return where you effectively give up. You leave yourself too much to do in a short space of time. Yet just doing a small amount towards it an early stage can give you a big boost because you've actually seen some output from your efforts.

Or in other words, I find a 20-30% complete project is much easier (proportionally) to complete from a motivational standpoint than picking up a 0-5% project at the last minute.

Similar to zhx I find that when approaching a big task or project it is easy to get scared off by the more difficult parts. But there's nothing to stop you picking the low-hanging fruit to start of with. Eventually you may reach a point where you can't continue without tackling a difficult task. This is the point at which you need to adopt the 'just do it' approach and try to at least get the ball rolling even if you don't expect to nail it first time.
 
As a previous poster has noted, why not make a list for the following day say 6 to 10 items to do.

If you only do half of that then it is at least something achieved....I spent the last 9 months at uni doing this (sometimes to the amusement of my peers) and
have filled 3 reporter's notepads (all lists are dated) and managed my free time effectively to finish the projects.

It really is an effective way of getting things started (and I can be a very unmotivated person at times)

Good luck :)
 
spitzoid said:
Fair enough, no need for the personal insult, I was just trying to motivate you.

Lazy, whining, moaner. I have no sympathy for you.
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i agree with spitzoid, you've got to get mad, realise your rubbish and then prove everyone wrong, if im trying to run and someone is running with me and telling me "you can do it" etc etc i will 100% fail if someone is running along shouting "your rubbish" etc etc i would manage to do it.

id get mad, get drunk, and when i wake up id do the work non-stop

good luck
 
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