In my experience, having a sense of motivation is generally a self-taught skill; but it can be learnt.

I think back to when I first learned to walk, aged three; it was to a percussion of mother tutting, and clock-watching… roll through to my adulthood, and suffice to say; I have continued to be self-motivated, and this gift keeps on giving.  So, if you feel that your self-motivational cogs need oiling, even creating in the first place: then observe the actions of people around you – who are motivated, and you can also, learn how to uncover this useful gem. I continue to admire any attribute in other people and am in a permanent open mindset – of wishing to learn and improve. This is a positive attitudinal pillar of motivation, that I do not mind admitting, has of course been borrowed from people, that I have observed throughout my years; in the absence of maternal nurturing. Maternal anything.

But like many of you, I have setbacks which are annoying, like unpredicted winds to the sail. Sudden choppy waters. They interrupt and can take you miles off course. They often make you feel spiritually winded… but remember, they are only an emotional draft of negative, unhelpful: more importantly, incorrect self-narrative!  A hindering nagging doubt, which needs tethering up, so that you can concentrate on fixing the sail on your soul passion ship.

My example is my book draft. I wrote the story six years ago, and I am midst trying to woo an agent. It is true crime, and people like to hear survivor stories, especially when the protagonist is different or disabled. Nonetheless, I am still looking, and even chartered new waters, when I wrote a fictitious version for a competition. I lost out to a screen – writer and made sure that I gagged the gremlin of self-doubt; and I did so on the same day, that I found out that I did not win. I thought it makes good sense to revisit my first book, and I have been on this exercise since last month.

Reading through, I am constructively thinking, tweaking, and polishing, because I still believe that my story will be beneficial to other people. I know it can be energy zapping and enduring, reliving my past experiences. Yet, I counter these draining sidewinds, using motivational games, more sophisticated versions of – borrowed from my childhood, as a parent child.

These motivational games include: playing a bouncy oomph tune – after I have completed three pages, “Hear me calling” by Slade, or “Dreaming” by Blonde. I get up and jig and stretch. Then I do some box breathing. After another updated chapter is complete. I pamper Number One by looking after my face, cleaning away the day’s dirt and a little massage. If I have endured a particularly harrowing chapter, then I binge watch on comedy for the evening. I keep all unknown waters in the forefront of my mind. I accept that I will always, just like you too deserve to, continue to darn my sail, on my soul-passion ship: getting my book published to help heal.

I keep awake and bouncy, ensuring I follow a healthy diet, another pillar of mind strength; and will always foster and grow this priceless human attribute: to blossom in self- grown motivation.

More importantly, I hope if your motivational bounce feels a bit dusty, that you can borrow the bounce and take a seed from my fortunate glut of self-motivational human energy.

With SUNNY wishes,

Emma x