motivation tips

[ttcycle]

Ok folks

been through hell and back and still in it,kind of - attempting to take the route which closes the chapter on that part of my life - doesn't make it right and principle means that things are so wrong- too exhausted to go into the details but I lose and lose again.

However, am finding ways to get motivated really difficult - just tired, exhausted and really struggling to motivate myself for daily things.

Finding that forcing myself out on the bike has happened only when I've arranged to ride with others (thanks you lot- you know who you are )

This place is fantastic but awful for procrastination- any tips on how to motivate myself to take those next steps to ensure I don't fall further into trouble and advance further into shoot creek.

 

[Arch]

I know what you mean about the going out on a bike ride. This time of year, I'm pretty weak about it - leisure riding that it, as opposed to commuting which I have to do.

All I can suggest is, don't set out planning to do miles and miles. Make sure you take your pump and basic repair stuff of course, but tell yourself you might only go to X and back, maybe a couple of miles. It's that initial getting going that is hard, once you're out (well, I find this) often you can just keep going and enjoy yourself.

Can you make it easier to get out? I have the problem at this time of year that the bike downstairs and ready to go is my heavy hub geared winter bike, not something I'd plan to do miles and miles on. So if I actually mean to do more than my commute distance, I have to carry one of the others downstairs. That's often enough to put me off. Come spring, I'll swap bikes, and one of the others, the FCR or the Galaxy will be downstairs full time, and all I'll have to do is grab a pannier and waterbottle.

And it's a rotten time of year. When it's warmer and light for longer, we all feel more like going out for the day. Don't beat yourself up over lacking motivation, that's a downward spiral. Look forward, set a few loose goals (I want to get at least 100 in again this summer, maybe more, but I've no set timescale for it.)

 

[ttcycle]

Thanks Arch- it isn't too much of a big deal getting the bike down the stairs - it's the smaller things simpler than riding my bike (hoping to be out tonight with some CCers)- difficult to put on the cycling clothes if getting dressed or eating prperly is a big deal -I'm probably airing my dirty laundry on here -lol.

 

[ttcycle]

Yeah I know User76 - It's a balance with taking the time to properly get things sorted or having to rush and sort things out so life is ok financially and that doesn't become a new stressor.

It's hard to find a bit of balance and I love the old cycling but it isn't everything right now

 

[HobbesChoice]

Feeling like you're in a lose lose situation is really draining, so it's no wonder everything feels like such an uphill struggle and it's so difficult pulling yourself out of that. I completely understand.

When I feel how you do I allow myself to feel bad for a while to try and acknowledge it all so that I can re evaluate things with a clearer mind which then gets my body kicking in! So, don't be hard on yourself about the cycling, and hopefully you're not feeling any added pressure about your bike. It'll be there, ready and waiting, when you're feeling up to it.

You just concentrate on taking lots of care of yourself and I hope you feel back to normal really soon.

 

[Globalti]

You need a holiday - do you go skiing?

 

[ttcycle]

Feeling like you're in a lose lose situation is really draining, so it's no wonder everything feels like such an uphill struggle and it's so difficult pulling yourself out of that. I completely understand.

When I feel how you do I allow myself to feel bad for a while to try and acknowledge it all so that I can re evaluate things with a clearer mind which then gets my body kicking in! So, don't be hard on yourself about the cycling, and hopefully you're not feeling any added pressure about your bike. It'll be there, ready and waiting, when you're feeling up to it.

You just concentrate on taking lots of care of yourself and I hope you feel back to normal really soon.

thanks Hobbes

 

[swee'pea99]

Margaret Atwood's list of 10 ways to deal with writer's block may contribute...some are very writer's block-centric, but others are more general:

1.Go for a walk, do the laundry or some ironing, hammer some nails, go swimming, play a sport – anything that requires some focus and involves repetitious physical activities. At the very least: take a bath or shower.

2. Read the book you’ve been putting off.

3. Write in some other form: even a letter or a journal entry. Or a grocery list. Keep those words flowing out through your fingers.

4. Formulate your problem, then go to sleep. The answer may be there in the morning.

5. Eat some chocolate, not too much; must be dark (60% cocoa or more), shade-grown, organic.

6. If fiction: change the tense (past/present or vice versa).

7. Change the person (first, second, third).

8. Change the sex.

9. Think of your book-in-progress as a maze. You’ve hit a wall. Go back to where you made the wrong turn. Start anew from there.

10. Don’t get angry with yourself. Give yourself an encouraging present.

 

[ttcycle]

You need a holiday - do you go skiing?

I need and would love a holiday - haven't skiid since I was at school - unfortunately don't have the cash and with 'the situation' (I posted in cafe a while back when things weren't this bad with work) means I could be in trouble financially very soon.

The trade off is between:

Doing what ever I need to do, making sure this doesn't happen- and ignoring the I feel really drained and dead signs my mind and body are telling me - though the first step to this would be making it out the door (managed it yesterday for a meeting but somehow that push to move has gone again)

the other option is to go with the flow and let myself heal a bit, take time out and take in and get over the horrible stress of the last year or so but may have to gamble financially and that could be more to add to the pile.

Sorry being so cryptic guys, it is just so complex and emotionally crappy

 

[redjedi]

Some of that's quite good but...

8. Change the sex.

Being a man is great, but having an op could be taking it a bit far.

10. Don’t get angry with yourself. Give yourself an encouraging present.

oooo new bike time

 

[ttcycle]

I know User76 - I've got quite a tough skin so will be ok-

Is it alright for me to PM you more details instead?
Though I'd like a new bike if I could -lol

 

[rich p]

Do you have dependents?

If not you could consider cashing in your assets, raising a few grand and take an extended budget cycle tour. It's what I'd like to do anyway!

 

[ttcycle]

no dependents thankfully, I'd hate to put children or partner through this if they depended on me, and alas no assets except maybe a couple of the bikes.

 

[rich p]

no dependents thankfully, I'd hate to put children or partner through this if they depended on me, and alas no assets except maybe a couple of the bikes.

Hmmmm, don't sell the bikes or the touring would be difficult!

How about a kidney?

 

[Globalti]

Get drunk more often?