Lesson Learned - Know when you are motivated and unmotivated

Years ago, during a seminar on time management, the speaker told us that we should embrace the times we are motivated and unmotivated, equally.

This concept has helped me immensely over the years. At first, I really didn't totally grasp the importance of utilizing my motivational levels to my advantage. I felt like I should always be highly motivated and tackling important things.  I believed that only the tough tasks were really necessary.  I believed that the easy tasks were not really helping me become a stronger person and get more done.  

I couldn't have been more wrong. I started to really study the concept of embracing my motivation and found that once I did, I actually got more done and enjoyed my tasks more.

For example:

When I am in a great mood and fully motivated, I review my task list and look for the hardest and most mentally challenging thing I can tackle.  

• I write blog posts
• I study
• I plan travel
• I do research
• I paint
• I tackle decluttering on a large scale
• I work to clean quick tasks off my list and blow through as much as I can

When I am feeling less motivated, I look at my same task list and look for moderate items.

• I pay bills
• I watch webinars or teaching videos
• I clean files or emails
• I clean closets or drawers
• I do touch-up painting
• I trim bushes or do moderate yard work
• I do puzzles
• I play word games

When I have almost no motivation, I look at my task list for the truly easy items.

• I file
• I pick weeds
• I take a longer walk
• I look for items for my daily smiles
• I wash my car or clean the garage
• I read a fun book on the porch
• I click off tasks that truly take little-to-no mental ability

There are days I am thrilled to be fully engaged and check off my hardest tasks. But, honestly, I have really learned to love the times when I check off the easy items too. The tasks need to be done and now that I have learned to apply my motivation levels correctly, I find that I actually get more done.