Combating Complacency

[RoJoHen]

What do you do?!

Okay, so, for the first time in years I am very satisfied in my job and friends and life in general. However, as a result, I find myself not really striving for anything. I have no goals.

For the last few months I have been suffering from a complete lack of motivation. Normally in January I am struck with all sorts of New Years energy to get my life back on track, but there really isn't anything I can think of to do. Because of my schedule at work, I actually have A LOT of free time during the day where I could be accomplishing things, but mostly I just sit at home or go to the gym or aimlessly drive around town in search of something to do.

My mood is generally fine; I want to be motivated. I just don't know where I want that motivation to take me.

[teacake]

You have peaked.

The rest of your life will be spent trying to maintain a plateau and not go downhill. You can do it!!

[RoJoHen]

Boooooooooo! NOT what I want to hear.

[Kestra]

I think that self-improvement is a lifelong goal, even if all of your immediate needs are being met. How can you become a better, kinder, more knowledgeable, healthier, or more accomplished person?

[RoJoHen]

Kestra wrote:

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I think that self-improvement is a lifelong goal, even if all of your immediate needs are being met. How can you become a better, kinder, more knowledgeable, healthier, or more accomplished person?

While I agree that these kinds of things are important, they're too general for what I'm talking about. "Bettering myself" doesn't force me to get out of bed in the morning and do anything.

I think it's possible that I've just turned myself off since I know I'm going on vacation next month. I haven't been on a vacation in YEARS, and I don't really have anything big coming up between now and then. I feel like I'm coasting through life, which is not a feeling I'm used to.

[Spot's Meow]

I envy you.

[Deranged Nasat]

If you're happy and content with where you are, enjoy it. Maybe in a few years time you'll feel a bit bored or get the sense that you want to move on, and then you'll be motivated to make another change. Don't worry yourself over the fact that you're not worrying, so to speak. You've hit a lazy stretch of the river, so lay back and enjoy it. The rapids will come again eventually; they always do.

[mimic]

Find the closest climbing gym and a buddy, and take a learn the ropes class.

[auntiehill]

Complacency? Meh. Whatever.



OK, on the serious side, you might doing something new. Learn a new language, try a different sport, even try playing a new game. Just do something different. Anything.

[RoJoHen]

Deranged Nasat wrote:

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If you're happy and content with where you are, enjoy it. Maybe in a few years time you'll feel a bit bored or get the sense that you want to move on, and then you'll be motivated to make another change. Don't worry yourself over the fact that you're not worrying, so to speak. You've hit a lazy stretch of the river, so lay back and enjoy it. The rapids will come again eventually; they always do.

I was enjoying it. Now I'm bored. I don't respond well to boredom.

[Use of Time]

When I had my second child I kind of fell in a rut where the daily routine of work and child care left me wanting to do something else to improve myself. I decided to run a marathon. I went out and bought a book with a good training plan as well as running tips/diet etc. It really helped give me a mid term goal that I felt I could accomplish. After I ran it I started looking for the next challenge. I run one a year now and love the training process.

[Deranged Nasat]

RoJoHen wrote:

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I was enjoying it. Now I'm bored. I don't respond well to boredom.

Maybe give yourself a project? Not one that will make you feel like you're constrained by a schedule (so not one that will take away that sense of freedom that comes from having no major pressures), but one that allows you to feel that you have something to work toward. Myself, I've been on medical leave from work for the last month; it might be a few months more before I'm back. I started on the first draft of a novel not long ago - I try to do some every day, and it helps me feel like I'm doing something worthwhile while I wait to start work again. Have you considered doing something like that?

[RoJoHen]

That's the problem. I know I need a project. I just don't know what to do. I have the motivation; I just can't decide where to put it.

[Deranged Nasat]

RoJoHen wrote:

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That's the problem. I know I need a project. I just don't know what to do. I have the motivation; I just can't decide where to put it.

Well, there's one idea - write. A novel, an amusing autobiography, a history of the bar where you work, whatever works for you.

Or...

My grandfather loves to garden. He spends hours on it. Maybe you could take up gardening.

PS: Sorry if I'm not being particularly helpful here. These are serious ideas, but reading over the post it might look a bit flippant; it's not meant to be.

[RoJoHen]

No, it's fine. I can come up with lots of ideas, too. I just don't like any of them!