I’ve been a bit introspective lately, and one thing I’ve noticed is that I am a fast starter, but then I lose my motivation rather quickly. Its an endless cycle of ideas to action, then procrastination followed by abandonment and regret. This series of events is evident even in my writings. In the beginning I was very consistent, and then began to slowly fade away, only to return a few months later with a “Im back!” story and a “This time it will be different!”
So why do we know exactly what we need (or want) to do, but never follow through with it?
I think it is a combination of complacency, distraction, and hopelessness. It is easy to become content with the status quo if your basic needs are being met, and it can be difficult to find a reason to upset this balance. If you do ever find the motivation to move forward, you have to content with the endless distractions provided by technology. Your entire day can be wasted (and I’ve done this many times) simply scrolling through social media, browsing familiar websites, and dreaming about what might be.
After this comes the most dangerous part, a loss of hope. A resignation that there is no better life, there is no better way, and that you should be content with the situation as it stands. This is amplified by distraction, as you can be whomever you wish online. You don’t have a degree? You can online, all you have to do is tell people. You never started that artistic venture? Tell people its done, and was purchased by someone overseas.
These actions may make you feel better in the now, but slowly that sense of hopelessness creeps back in to tear you down.
There is a host of self help, and motivational literature out there, but this is useless to one who has lost hope. If you cannot start down the path, then no self help book will make you take that step. So what do you do? What do I do?
For myself, I don’t think I can answer that right now. Doing so, simply puts me right back into that loop of idea – action – abandonment – regret. The best suggestion I can make is to simply put down your phone, look at the world around you, and do something. Take a walk, read a book, speak with a stranger, lend a compassionate hand, and whatever you do, don’t lose hope.
