I just finished a conversation with a good friend and fellow writer — a great writer, in fact. I quickly learned as we chatted that she was feeling empty, at a loss for creative ideas. “I’m just not motivated,” she admitted. “I don’t want to do anything,” she said, “let alone write.”
Taken back by our conversation, I remembered a similar chat just last week. Another friend, a stellar sales star for a high-performance tech firm, complained that while he was happy and his current customer list kept him busy and financially satisfied, he lacked the drive and desire to find new business. He’d even put off following up on qualified referrals and leads. “I’m just not motivated,” he revealed. “I think I’m getting lazy.”
The same words. “I’m just not motivated.”
Both of my friends are successful, serve as mentors, and are active in nonprofits and peer-group masterminds. Yet they both seek new ideas, motivation, and direction.
There are four reasons that this “not motivated” syndrome sets in. It’s easy to recognize, and easier to fix — get past.
Four Reasons Why People Lack or Lose Motivation
If you lack motivation and drive, it’s time to reset your creativity, fire up your synapses, and turn yourself around. You can do this only by trying something new — different.
Why Doing Something New Changes Lives and Brings Joy
So what is “something new” you will try? The next time someone asks you, “What’s new?” Be ready to answer them with passion and excitement.
Just as I prepared to post this article, my niece Emily, who to prepare for her first day of college, took part in a “get to know your classmates” freshman adventure last week. She was apprehensive when she learned this would be a secret destination. When she got there and discovered it was a “sleep under the stars camping trip” along the Appalachian Trail in Maine. This was a big leap of faith for her. While this trip took her far outside her comfort zone — her home — but this experience opened her eyes. Emily’s Instagram caption and the photo is timely and relevant.
© 2021 All text and photos by the author and photographer Allan Karl