Right now, I have none.
I recently read a blog post, which was a response to the question, “How do you get motivated to do the chores you hate?”
The author’s response? (I’m paraphrasing here) “I just decide to like my chores. Even if I don’t feel like doing them, I just get up and do them anyway!”
So THAT’S what I’ve been doing wrong! I’m just supposed to decide to like my chores, and then everything will be OK!
I’m sorry, I know that I sound a bit snarky, but this response just makes me roll my eyes. Apparently my illness is making me more irritable and less tolerant, because I actually got a little bit mad when I read this post. For most of us, it’s just not that simple.
Here are some ways that I get motivated to work, and none of them involve liking toilet cleaning, or sink scrubbing, or poopy diaper washing:
1) I pray. I ask God to give me the energy and motivation to do my work. Sometimes, I offer completion of hated chores to God as thanks for His many blessings.
2) I set a timer. I allow only 30 minutes in each room, and challenge myself to get as much done as possible during that time.
3) I put on some upbeat music. It cheers me up, and makes the time go by faster.
4) I promise myself a reward, like some reading time, or some chocolate.
5) I visit this web site. Sometimes just looking at the pictures is motivation enough for me to get off my butt and get cleaning.
6) Truthfully, I do sometimes have to force myself to do my chores. I give myself a little pep talk first, and psych myself up. I tell myself that I’m doing these things for my family, and if I just do them, I’ll feel so much better about myself.
How do you get motivated to do your work? Seriously, I would love to know.
