It is said that with the right motivation, one can accomplish anything. However, motivation is not magical fairy dust, which is going to be sprinkled on us by our fairy god mother. Neither does it come in a bottle. There is no green pill for it. But it is something that we can tap into by design, and harness to our benefit if we only work at it.
I recently went through a phase where I just could not find the motivation to write.
This befuddled me, as I love to write. But then something had changed. I was used to writing at leisure and whenever the mood struck. Then I signed up for the AtoZ ( a daily blogging challenge) and lo and behold – I now had to write 26 posts within a month.
It might not seem like a lot to many of you. But for me it was WAY more than I was used to writing. So after a crash, where I just stopped writing altogether for a week, I regrouped and set in place a plan of action and actually followed through –
- I wrote down on a piece of paper the reason I signed up for this challenge and kept it in front of me where I could see it daily – especially where I sat down to write. This worked like a charm. As it happens, the thing that motivated me to register, was enough motivation to continue. I just needed a visual reminder on a daily basis.
- I set daily (flexible) and weekly (rigid) goals, and divided the work into small manageable sections. I just worked with 2 posts at a time and kept my mind off the number 26.
- I got off social media. I spent way too much time on Facebook- accomplishing absolutely nothing. I restricted my social media time to 15 minutes twice per day. This was probably the most difficult thing to accomplish on this list.
- I also rewarded myself (a little too generously) for accomplishing my goals. The only reward that I did not give myself is time off till I completed the project.
When I did the above things, I was more productive and efficient with my time, and was able to complete my write-ups before the deadline*. I hope some of the things I mentioned will work for you too, especially if you are experiencing a similar slack during AtoZ.
Have you ever found yourself lacking in motivation to complete a project? What is your go-to strategy to stay the course and reach the finish line?
*In this case the deadline I had set for myself to complete writing the posts was March 31st.
*This post is written for the AtoZChallenge.
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elly stornebrink
I’m glad you stayed motivated to keep up with this challenge Shantala as I appreciate your writing (and I’m sure I’m not the only one)! 🙂 I think all the tips you offer are great if they work for you and it seems they could be great advice for me and others too! 😉 <3
elly stornebrink recently posted…#A to Z Challenge: M is for Music
Shanaya Tales
So glad you liked it, Elly. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Rejection. Persistence. Success. The J. K. Rowling Way. #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Lisa Buie-Collard
Great post and perfect timing for it! Right in the middle of A toZ. So glad you found your motivation! I did my posts also, beforehand because I knew I’d be volunteering to help with the A to Z, so I wanted my posts done so I could spend more time visiting blogs. Thanks for sharing. Also, thanks for tweeting about the “A Rose is a Rose is a Rose” blog, because I found her from your tweet and really loved her blog! People like you on the A to Z motivate me! Lisa, co-host AtoZ 2015, @ http://www.lisabuiecollard.com
Lisa Buie-Collard recently posted…A to Z Blogging Challenge – Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings and Manatees
Shanaya Tales
So glad you liked the post, Lisa. 🙂 Yes, Shilpa of ‘A Rose is a Rose is a Rose’ is doing a fab job with AtoZ. You will enjoy her posts. 🙂 Thank you so much for stopping by. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Rejection. Persistence. Success. The J. K. Rowling Way. #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Parul
I loved that quote and your post was encouraging! Glad you got back to writing with A to Z else I would not have got the chance to come over this awesome blog of yours. 🙂
Parul recently posted…M for Marriage
Shanaya Tales
That is so sweet of you. Thank you. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Rejection. Persistence. Success. The J. K. Rowling Way. #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Eli
Yes, definitely been there – and I think your tips are great. Lists work for me too, and I know deep inside that writing is what makes me happy – so rediscovering my motivation always helps:-) Great post:-)
Eli recently posted…M for Moments
Shanaya Tales
Thank you. Glad you liked it. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Rejection. Persistence. Success. The J. K. Rowling Way. #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Jyotsna Bhatia
Oh yes, I sure know this phase. Have been through it. Good you got your motivation back 🙂
Jyotsna Bhatia recently posted…M – Myself
Shanaya Tales
Yes we all have been there at some point I guess. Thanks for reading, Jyotsna. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Rejection. Persistence. Success. The J. K. Rowling Way. #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Laura @ We Really Got This
I struggled with blogging. I had no motivation to write. I think it was this challenge that MADE me write. Maybe the challenge was my motivation…for this month at least!
Laura @ We Really Got This recently posted…M is for Minions!
Shanaya Tales
True. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Rejection. Persistence. Success. The J. K. Rowling Way. #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Shilpa Garg
Lists work best for me. They serve as setting goals, help in reminding when I stray and help to review too. And yes, staying off Facebook while I writing my posts enhances productivity big time!
Shilpa Garg recently posted…M is for Misunderstanding #AtoZChallenge @AprilA2Z
Shanaya Tales
Oh yes. A 15 minute job can take hours with FB on. 😛
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Rejection. Persistence. Success. The J. K. Rowling Way. #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Prasanna
I have gone off blogging many months because of lack of motivation but something always makes me come back. I was not sure that I would participate in the challenge this year but I wanted to see if I had it in myself to write a novella. And I have some pretty supporting blogger friends who inspire me to write better 🙂
Shanaya Tales
I am so glad that you decided to participate in this AtoZ this year. I am loving your series. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Rejection. Persistence. Success. The J. K. Rowling Way. #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Tyrean Martinson
Making a list or keeping a quote in front of me definitely helps. I have a white-board near my regular writing space that helps keep me on track for most of my writing goals. I’ve also found that using a timer can help.
This is a timely post for mid-A to Z! Thanks for sharing!
Tyrean Martinson recently posted…A to Z: M Celebrations
Shanaya Tales
Glad you liked it, Tyrean. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Rejection. Persistence. Success. The J. K. Rowling Way. #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Shirley Corder
LOL! I’m motivated to finish the #AtoZChallenge – but guess what? As a result, my Work In Progress has ground to a halt! I guess you can’t have it every way!
Shirley Corder recently posted…M is for Mother City
Shanaya Tales
True. I don’t see any progress happening on my other WIP in April, as I have made AtoZ my priority. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Rejection. Persistence. Success. The J. K. Rowling Way. #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
sulekha
I write every night and post my article in the morning. This year I could not schedule my posts as my pet is very sick, she needs constant tending to and care. Since my theme is her, I am motivated to write her story.
Shanaya Tales
I am so glad that you chose to write about Sparky. It is such a great way to relive those memories with her. I am enjoying your Sparky stories. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Rejection. Persistence. Success. The J. K. Rowling Way. #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Rajlakshmi
I also had to cut off Facebook and other social media while writing for A to Z. They consume so much time without us even noticing.
Rajlakshmi recently posted…Feeling Mermaid’y today
Shanaya Tales
Very true. FB is a total time suck. 🙁
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Rejection. Persistence. Success. The J. K. Rowling Way. #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Ruchi Singh
It seems you have written the story of my life in Mar and Apr 2015 :-))
Ruchi Singh recently posted…Marigold Optimism
Shanaya Tales
Hehehe.. I am pretty sure it is the story of a lot of AtoZers. 😛
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Rejection. Persistence. Success. The J. K. Rowling Way. #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Vinitha
That’s motivating, Shantala. I will make an action plan after I get back to wherever we are going next. My plans for atoz has disrupted because of poor internet connection and I allowed myself to fall into that excuse of not having connection. (I could have written down the posts on my note at least.) Anyways, your post has motivated me to get on track again. Good going dear. 🙂
Vinitha recently posted…Life Taught Lessons – M #AtoZchallenge
Shanaya Tales
Thank you, Vinitha. Glad you liked it. 🙂 You are doing a good job with AtoZ inspite of all the travelling and internet issues. I am not sure if I would have been able to handle AtoZ in your situation.
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Rejection. Persistence. Success. The J. K. Rowling Way. #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Shilpa Gupte
Shantala, I think I am going through a low phase these days, as I just don’t know what to write about! Reading your post, and doing something about spending time on FB, should really help me! Thanks a ton for the motivation! 🙂
Shilpa Gupte recently posted…Inspiration.
Shanaya Tales
So glad you found it helpful, Shilpa. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Rejection. Persistence. Success. The J. K. Rowling Way. #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Swathi Shenoy
It happened with me last year during A to Z! I had just started blogging and I had signed up for this challenge without thinking. But when I started writing, that too sticking to the theme, the task seemed so difficult that I wanted to give up! But the little voice in me refused to listen to it and phew! The challenge was finally completed. But following steps like you did, I don’t think I can discipline myself enough to do that!
Swathi Shenoy recently posted…My Soul to Steal
Shanaya Tales
Oh yes the little voice inside us does help a lot too. Mine can be really pushy at times. 😛
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Rejection. Persistence. Success. The J. K. Rowling Way. #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Soumya
You motivate me 🙂
Soumya recently posted…Bangalore’s Night Life
Shanaya Tales
Thank you 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Rejection. Persistence. Success. The J. K. Rowling Way. #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Alison Williams
Great post – thank you! (I also spend too much time on FaceBook)
Alison Williams recently posted…#AtoZChallenge: L is for Let it go
Shanaya Tales
Thank you, Alison. Glad you liked it. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…A Story of an Optimist #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Beloo Mehra
Well, you did all the right things to get you going and to stay motivated. And the reward is visible to all, but primarily to you. Happy I read this post today, I need to get back my energy and motivation to finish a project I have been working on for a while now. Hopefully soon 🙂 Thanks for this writeup.
Beloo Mehra recently posted…Being Two, and in Other News
Shanaya Tales
Glad you liked it, Beloo. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…A Story of an Optimist #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Mee Magnum
I’m Motivated to finish the #AtoZChallenge!
–Mee (The Chinese Quest)
Mee Magnum recently posted…“L” is for Lo Mein #AtoZChallenge @AprilA2Z
Shanaya Tales
That is good as I look forward to your posts 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…A Story of an Optimist #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z