Lifestyle & Time out

Put a fire in your belly: overcome inertia, forget fear and get things done

Author: Leif Kendall Comments Print This Post Print This Post

John-a-dreamsIs something holding you back? Are you contemplating change, but struggling to make the leap? I can’t tell you how to motivate yourself. But I can write about the things that help me get going…

Grab life by the balls and enjoy yourself… while you can

Just do something

Do anything. You can only build momentum if you start pushing.

But you’ll be glad to hear that momentum will be kind to you. If you can just do one thing, one little thing, you’ll find that momentum starts nudging you along. And then you’ll be more energised and more able to drive yourself forward. All you need to do is to take that first step. You are a snowball waiting to happen.

Not working? Try making a list

Think about the steps you must take to achieve your goal. Write them down. Which step comes first? How hard is that first step? What risks are involved? What are you afraid of? How can you mitigate that fear? How can you accept the fear and do it anyway?

Everyone is terrified. It’s not just you

It’s good to remember that:
  • Most people get scared about making changes.
  • Most people get nervous (or excited) when trying new things.
  • Most people accept the fear, excitement and nerves that come with new challenges.
  • It’s natural to get nervous or scared when embracing change. It’s a healthy reaction, so don’t fear or resist it.

Scared of something?

Is there something that terrifies you? Is a fear of something or someone holding you back?

It seems that the one sure-fire way to beat fear is to embrace the thing that scares you. Don’t avoid the object of your fears; seek it out – get close to it. Pursue it.

Relentlessly hunt the things that scare you

Read this if you can’t even do just one thing.

Okay, so for whatever reason you just can’t get started. You’re dithering, gripped with fear, inertia, sheer laziness or a mixture of those things. Don’t worry – we’ve all been there. It’s frustrating, but you can get beyond this phase.

Here’s the nuclear option for overcoming inertia:

Consider your own mortality. You are going to die. I’m going to die. We’re all going to die. Think about what that really means. It means that your time here is limited. It could end tomorrow. You are not immortal, so you will definitely die. Your time in this world is very limited. Your days are numbered.

If you can bear to waste a moment of your limited days on fruitless pursuits or being bored, or inert, or lazy, then you should applaud the strength of whatever it is that’s holding you back.

Existential terror as a motivational device

Imagine that you live to be 99 years old. When you die you get the chance to talk to the you of today. What lessons or advice do you think the aged and exhausted you would have for the you of today? Imagine that you can look back over your entire life and see clearly the missed opportunities – what advice do you think your old self would have for your young self?

Life is slipping through your fingers. You may be afraid of getting things wrong, over-extending yourself, failing or being ridiculed, but you should be much more afraid of wasting your one chance to live.

By Leif Kendall, copywriter

Image by Stephen Poff

Have you got a secret strategy for motivating yourself, or for getting over moments of anxiety?

More articles in: Lifestyle & Time out
  • leifkendall
    I've continued on this theme over on my blog: http://kendallcopywriting.co.uk/2009/11/09/comm... with a lovely quote by Goethe:

    Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness, concerning all acts of initiative and creation. There is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream events issues from the decision.
  • Thanks for sharing your experiences, Leif. I started my own business 15 years ago and landed smack in the middle of my own discomfort with *selling*. I had to get over it pretty quickly—and I did. It helped to connect with other business owners along the way...people who had solved these problems already, or knew others who had. I continue to write about conscious ways that solopreneurs can successfully run their business.

    As a result of my own business experience and spiritual seeking, I'm now offering a service that helps the solo biz / freelancer get connected, share successes, brainstorm solutions and be inspired. The participants are finding that they look forward to these calls each week and are getting more accomplished in-between calls because they are motivated to share *what's new*.

    Some freelancers also fall into the category of "Highly Sensitive People", based on Elaine Aron's book. They are highly creative and imaginative, but also easily side-tracked. The tools & resources offered to HSPs can help them be more successful.

    Many blessings,
    Nancy
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