I listen to a lot of podcasts and read books around the topic ‘motivation’. This is because I know that, for myself, it is easy to give up and be distracted with activities that are alluringly easy to do, as well as numbing me out to what is actually really important at this moment in time. Doing the ‘Wordle’ when I could be calling somebody who needs to hear from me; the ‘snacking distraction’ when I actually could be researching an important work topic; or the flicking through Instagram, telling myself that there is value in this for me today.
The reason why I am thinking about this idea of how we show up to things is because I see it amplified during the exam season. In many schools now exams are in process. I meet with students who just don’t care (or tell themselves as such so that they are numbed out to consequences and give themselves validation of not applying themselves to these challenges).
I also know that not ‘feeling’ like doing something is so normal. Have we ever actually ‘felt’ like studying, or ‘felt’ like committing ourselves to the learning – when there are so many other easier things that we could be doing?
Our brain is designed to take the path of least resistance and thus protects us from things that seem difficult. Do you ever ‘feel’ like doing the tasks that are seemingly hard – probably not, but if you CHOOSE TO, GET TO or know that the value in doing it pays off in the long run so you just start – then you TAKE ACTION irrespective of the feelings. This action creates the energy and the momentum.
And it really is about CHOOSING how you want to show up; CHOOSING what you focus on; CHOOSING the best course of action or choose the best way of being when several courses of possibilities present themselves to you.
What helps me to ‘wake up’ to this day is in asking the questions:
How do I want to really show up today?
How would it feel to me to have a day that has been rewarding – what do I need to do NOW in order to accomplish that?
What is the impact that I want my work to have?
What is the focus of my mission today?
What MATTERS to me MOST TODAY?
Who do I want to show up for today?
Who needs my A game today?
You SUMMON the focus, the intents, the drive. You GENERATE your own energy.
I also know that we often do not FEEL like doing something. We do not ‘feel’ like studying – so how can you best meet those challenges. This is where INTENTIONS can be a great PULL factor.
What kind of person do you WANT to be?
What kind of parent, or partner, or friend or mentor do you WANT to be?
How do you want to show up during this season of Christmas?
In essence …
Who are you? Do you show up and get the work done, or do you become a ‘victim’ to circumstances.
I am digging in now with Christmas and the end of the year on the non too distant horizon. It could be the feeling of overwhelm that would make me so want to escape, but this does NOT help me – and in fact it results in greater anxiety. And so I am now actively EMBRACING the Christmas season – choosing to be excited by all the pretty lights, the glorious singing of carols and for me what the story of Christmas is really about. I want to show up excellently for my family; I want to be present through the moments of each day, relishing on all that is good and special. And I want to be proactive in CHOOSING to show up as my best self. To do this, I need to constantly remind myself to be present and to keep resetting and keep myself on track with gracious and encouraging words to myself.
Just like when taking exams – what are the possibilities of for yourself if you were to really apply your skills and stick to the task ahead. What if you just make a devious to work effectively and ace the tests? What do you need to do in this moment that ensures that you are enabling a good outcome for yourself?
As this school term draws to a close and the Christmas season begins – I want for this time for you to be memorable, rewarding and fulfilling. I really do.