The motivation to “do”

I find that I’m most motivated to do the things that are urgent, that have a deadline, and that I’ve committed to do.

But not everything that’s urgent, that has a deadline, or that I’ve committed to do.

There needs to be other people (and fear) involved for it to be a priority.

• It’s urgent because someone else needs it or will be annoyed if they don’t get it. I’m afraid of what they’ll think.
• It has a deadline because the other person won’t pay me if I don’t do it in time… And I don’t want to live in a van down by the river.
• My commitment is upheld because someone else is depending on my work. I am afraid of letting them down.

If I’m doing something challenging just for me, for my own reasons, it usually comes last or not at all. It doesn’t even matter if it’s helpful, important, beneficial…

Of course if it’s something easy and fun that feels good, I’m all over that. Facebook or Angry Birds, anyone?  😉

I’ve been really looking at this recently, and working to transform it.

(Luckily I have access to some of the best tools in the world. Huge tribute to ESP for the things I’ve learned in the last two years, and continue to learn, while on a journey that humbles and amazes me every day. More on this later.)

So. How can I be more of a priority, to myself? While maintaining balance and integrity, so I don’t seem like a selfish jerk, of course.

One of the many things I’ve found really helpful is getting very clear on how the challenging thing I’m doing benefits me personally. What are all the ways I can learn, grow, understand, experience, benefit? How will my life be different if I have those new skills and traits?

I think it’s good to think about.

As a fun side effect: The impact I have on my world and on my business is that much more potent when I’m clear on why I’m doing those things, with the extra skills and traits I’ve built for myself. Win!