Reigniting Your Spark: How to Get Back into the Swing of Things

So, I've been seeing a regular nuisance at my door lately. That's right! Our uninvited guest - the motivation monster. Fresh from its time off and ready to wreak havoc. But I'm not here just to scare you. On the contrary, we're going into the battlefield to tackle this monster with some cool life hacks and smart tips. Ready for a comeback when motivation goes MIA? Let's do this with a dash of inspiring quotes and useful apps. Hold on tight, 'cause we're giving this monster the scare of its life.

On a more personal note, I’ve recently faced a loss in the family. My mother-in-law passed away just a few weeks ago, and to be honest, life has been quite a whirlwind since then. It’s been a tsunami of emotions coupled with one urgent task after another. 

My blog and social media took a backseat amidst the chaos (luckily, I had a backlog of posts that I was able to use), and my mailbox is now jam-packed with nearly 2k unread emails. I had to hit pause on my part-time writing job too, and wow, is it tough to get back to speed with it (not to mention, I do miss the extra income). So, suffice it to say, I can relate if you're finding life a bit of a slog at the moment.

Rekindle the Flame: Loss of Motivation

Ever been in a phase where you're comfortably nestled in your productivity zone, and then "BAM," all of a sudden, everything feels dull, exhausting, or just doesn't spark joy? Welcome to what we nerds term as "Loss of Motivation Syndrome" (LOMS). But hold your horses! LOMS isn't going to be your downfall. Down below, you're going to find your power-packed antidote to this motivation drop. Time to reclaim your mojo!

1. "Success is Not Final, Failure is Not Fatal"

Yes, an infamous quote from Winston Churchill. He hit the nail right on the head, didn't he? Here's the deal, we need to learn to love the process more than the end result. It's not always about reaching the top of the mountain, but rather, enjoying the hike up there.

Source: All Free Download

2. Make a Visual Plan

Knowing where you're headed gives your brain a reward to look forward to. Layering your plans with bite-sized, achievable tasks helps develop momentum, win over demotivation, and beat procrastination to a pulp.

To make things even better, there are already some fantastic online platforms that can help you craft a visual plan for your day! Here are a few recommendations:

• Trello: Trello is a popular project management tool that lets you create boards, lists, and cards to organize your tasks. You can assign due dates, attach files, add labels, and even collaborate with others if needed. It's visually intuitive and great for planning out your day or managing larger projects.
  
  
• Asana: Asana is another excellent tool for visualizing your daily plans. It allows you to create tasks, assign due dates, and set priorities. You can organize your tasks into different projects, add subtasks, and even use the calendar view to get a comprehensive overview of your schedule.
  
  
• Google Keep: If you prefer a simpler approach, Google Keep is a fantastic option. It's a lightweight note-taking app that lets you create color-coded sticky notes or checklists. You can easily drag and drop them to rearrange your priorities and set reminders to ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
  
  
• Microsoft OneNote: OneNote is a versatile digital notebook that offers a wide range of features to create visual plans. You can organize your pages into sections, add to-do lists, insert images, and even draw directly on your device if you have a touchscreen. It's a great option for both structured planning and creative brainstorming.

3. "The Only Way to Do Great Work is to Love What You Do"

Steve Jobs gave us more than just the iPhone; he gave us a mantra for life. So, find that million-dollar idea you’re passionate about and run with it.

Now that we've something to ponder upon, let's check out some handy applications that could add volumes to your motivation reservoir.

Apps That Mop Up the LOMS Mess

1. Forest: Stay Focused (Android/iOS)

This app gamifies productivity. It lets you plant a tree and watch it grow as you complete tasks. So, you'll be knocking down tasks and building your virtual forest. Win-Win!

2. Productive - Habit Tracker (Android/iOS)

What about an app that nudges you towards healthier habits? Well, that's Productive for you! It helps you track your habits and achieve your daily goals.

3. Toggl: Time Tracker (Android/iOS)

This one's for those who fancy analytics. Toggl helps you track the time you spend on different tasks, setting you up for a more productive landscape.

4. ThinkUp: Positive Affirmations (Android/iOS)

This app is all about self-love. Customize your affirmations and let ThinkUp remind you how fantastic you are.

5. Coach.me - Instant Coaching (Android/iOS)

Need a supportive community to back you as you chase your goals? Coach.me is your pick. It offers coaching and cheers from peers.

Inspirational Nuggets

"The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today." - Franklin D. Roosevelt.

"Believe you can, and you're halfway there." - Theodore Roosevelt.

"With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts." - Eleanor Roosevelt.

"Challenges are what make life interesting. Overcoming them is what makes life meaningful." - Joshua J. Marine.

"Everything you've been through was preparation for where you're going next." - Oprah Winfrey.

Wow! Life sure seems to be brimming with Roosevelts runneth over with wisdom, right?

You've Got This!

That's, that! I've just laid out a complete roadmap for you to ignite that fire within, stay focused on your goals, harness the power of productivity apps, and top it all off with some inspiring quotes. Did this post give you a boost of motivation? If so, what are you waiting for? It's time to take action and leap right into it!

Source: Pixabay

Now, I'm really curious about something: how do you find your way back to being motivated when you've hit a slump? Whether you're a fellow blogger, a fitness enthusiast, a busy mom, a student, or even a master in the kitchen (I wouldn't mind some homemade cookies, if I'm being honest), I want to hear from you! 

Share your thoughts in the comments section below because I'm eager to hear your perspective. I'm all ears!