Monday Motivation: Routines

I have analyzed it and I think my motivation troubles are originating from transition. In March 2014 I went from full time to part time as an administrative assistant/office manager so I could train my replacement and have more time to work on The Daily Sew. In June 2014 I began The Daily Sew full time. It wasn’t the big exciting change I thought it would be. It was actually a little terrifying. I was taking a risk that I may do this full time and still be writing just to my mother (Thanks for reading every post, Mom). I wasn’t sure where to start when I had all day to do it. How do you get anything done when no one is telling you what you must do? I had trouble figuring out how to plan my day, how to keep focused, how to be my own boss and how to prioritize.

My recent job experience gave me none of those skills. That job was pretty crazy from the moment I walked in the door. I might have an 11:00 a.m. deadline for one task, then I was informed of five other tasks that needed to be done as soon as possible and I was dealing with any fires as they flared up (almost daily). It was a matter of juggling it all and answering the phone. I was used to just catching things as they fell around me.

However, now, being a staff of one nobody was throwing tasks at me. I was spending my entire morning deciding what to do. That’s when I thought I just needed to get motivated. I have plenty to do I just need to do it. I started researching motivational tips, time management, procrastination (how not to) and general productivity habits. Slowly, with much reading, practicing, stumbling onto and remembering things that have worked in the past I have come to my current solution for motivation; having a routine.

Originally I thought routines were for self-disciplined, type-As, not for creative types like me but I am wrong. I have discovered that many artists have routines and some have very strict routines. Apparently, a routine helps trigger creativity. By simply doing A, followed by B then C, day in and out, you train your brain to get into the same mental state you need it to be whether it’s to write, paint, direct, or whatever your craft.

Lately I’ve been sticking to a loose routine where each task is followed by another, predetermined, task. I assign no time for when to do each of these tasks; I just do them in the same order, in the morning, so I’m ready to write. It’s my “pre-game” routine.

I’m not a big sports person but a pre-game routine is as the name implies what teams do pre-game and sports analogies are always relatable, right? Teams play a lot of games per season and so it is reasonable that not all players are going to be motivated everyday they have a game. Some days we wake up just not feeling it. The pre-game routine, by physically following the same steps or task before every game (or every time you need to write, sew, exercise, pay bills and/or clean the bathrooms), motivates you. All you have to do is start the routine.

The first step of your routine has to be simple and easy; so easy that no motivation, other than getting up, is needed. That’s the point so on days when you have no motivation it will still work.

My routine for writing does not start at the computer. It starts with breakfast, followed by coming up with 10 ideas, then I plan my day, make coffee or tea while tidying the kitchen, then with cup in hand I go to the computer and clear my desk area. By now I’m ready to start writing and guess what, words come and motivation comes and I keep at it.

I sew in the afternoons and confess that my pre-sewing routine is not as worked out as my writing routine which may explain why I have avoided the sewing room these last four days. There is my proof, to me, that I do need a routine to get things done consistently.

Your pre-game routine, whatever you choose for it to be, should move you to the end result. Physically move you. You will get nothing done staying slouched on the couch. Getting physically moving pumps blood and oxygen to your brain and limbs (I’m no doctor but I think that is how it works) and that is motivating and energizing. I’m not talking a 30 minute Zumba routine just a little moving around works. Grab your coffee, tidy a room, start a load of laundry or walk your pup. When you are physically energized you are usually mentally motivated.

The important take away is to follow your pre-game routine every time before your game even on days when you wake up all ready to jump into your work. Why? Because you are committing your routine to muscle memory and prepping your mental state for your craft so on those days when you have no motivation you will have your routine and you will start and you will continue your routine without even thinking about it and before you know it you just got something done. Booya

Resources for this post:
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
Routines of artists
The “pre-game” analogy
My “10 ideas a day” comes from James Altucher

My other musings on motivation:
Monday Motivation: Chocolate
Motivating Monday
Motivate Me