As we start another week, I am thinking of motivation. With so many projects, groups, activities, and responsibilities on my plate, I notice that my motivation level follows a pattern. Whenever I start something new, I get super EXCITED about the possibility of what I can create, what I'm about, and how I can contribute. In this stage, everything is possible, I'm going to change the world, and I can't spend enough time on the work. After a while, though, the excitement fades. I get into the real nitty gritty of the work and I start getting OVERWHELMED. Wow, this is a lot of work! Can I really do this? How am I going to do it all? Is it February already?!?! And lots of other thoughts flow through my mind. When I get overwhelmed, I usually stop. I get paralyzed by all of the work there is to do, I doubt myself, and my abilities. I question why I was there in the first place, and who am I to even try? I don't know about you, but I can stay in overwhelm for a long while. I stay stuck, and disempowered, and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. That is, unless it gets interrupted. I have some things that I do to get myself out of that overwhelm trap. From here, I RESET myself, my mindset, and the way I spend my time and energy. I talk with people, get supported, ask for help, and find ways to take extra care of myself. Above all, I forgive myself for stopping, for getting stuck, and start over again.  Having let go of the energy and pain of stopping, I am EMPOWERED to continue, moving my projects and actions forward in a great stride. 

What's great about noticing this pattern in myself, I can interrupt it. I can catch myself in different places in the cycle and get to empowered faster. I also share this pattern with others in my support network so that they can help me see where I am when I don't see it for myself. Then I take action to get myself back to empowered. Nothing's wrong with any phase of my pattern, and nothing is wrong with yours. What we can do, is be kind to ourselves, notice, and course-correct when we choose.

Some questions for reflection:

Do you notice any of this in yourself? What does your pattern look like? 

What value do you see in identifying this pattern for yourself? 

What phase are you in on each of your responsibilities? Is that where you want to be? What action will you take to shift your perspective?

I wish you all a powerful week, full of love, happiness and success!