3 More Ways to Stay Motivated.

My days were starting to run together last week, and I found I wasn’t even sure if the weekend had arrived. For a highly driven worker bee like me, I need milestones, completed tasks, and some external connections to keep my feet on the ground. Last week I gave you 2 strategies to keep you going, and this week I’m sharing 3 more that really help me.
 

1. Express your gratitude!
2. Reframe what “productivity” means.​
3. Set boundaries.

 
Here are this week’s self-care strategies: 

1. Express your gratitude! We never realized how hard home schooling is, did we? Thank the teachers in your life and give a pat on the back to those parents who’ve been home schooling all along! Thank those who are still working in essential services: Healthcare workers, delivery drivers, zookeepers, farmers. Include them in your gratitude list and thank them personally when you can. I’m trying to write a letter every day to someone on my Christmas card list to share my gratitude for our friendship. Expressing gratitude helps to lift our own spirits and remind us of our connections to others. It recognizes how well off we are even if the most trying of times and, in turn, creates resilience.
2. Reframe what “productivity” means. It’s a given that you are not as productive from your kitchen table as you are at the office or school, and housework is a challenge when you’re working around all of it. That’s okay. In fact, it’s acceptable. In today’s world, a conference call isn’t real until a pet shows up or kids interrupt – it’s an expected part of life from home. As long as you do one thing to connect with your family or job, you have every right to call that a win!
3. Set boundaries. Every member of your household – including you – should set boundaries. You need quiet time with your coffee in the morning; your children and partner need to have their space, too. Agree on what are acceptable boundaries that everyone will respect. If you name them, then you’ll eliminate resentment when someone steps over your boundary and you have to ask them to wait until later to address their needs. When your family knows they each can set boundaries that will be respected, your own boundaries will be respected, too.

 
Give these tips a try – even if only one works for you, that’s good enough. You need to be kind to yourself and live in the moment. If we start reframing this experience in a positive way, we will be looking back on this time with more fondness than regret.
 
Remember, too, that I offer free consultations. If you want to discuss how you can address organization or clutter during this stressful time, or strategies to make it from day to day, contact me for your complimentary 30-minute consultation.
 
Stay well and be kind to yourself!
 
Mrg
605-929-1493
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