Motivation Information

Action vs. Apathy - Feeling Powerless? Get Moving!


How many times have you felt truly defeated by the circumstances in your life? You know, the "I don't know why I bother to keep trying, I'm going back to bed and staying there" feeling. It happens to everyone - housewives, corporate executives, rock stars, actors, world leaders. Each and every one of us has had a day when we felt that we just weren't able to cope with our daily lives.

However, some of us have days like this more frequently than others. Some of us even feel that our entire lives are like this. When we begin to feel this way more often than not, there is a problem. What it comes down to is that we feel powerless. That's where that feeling of defeat and despair comes from. Our subconscious mind is saying, "I just don't have the power to change things, so I might as well give up." Powerlessness is not a good feeling, is it?

The truth is, we are never powerless in any situation. It is only our minds that tell us we are. Sure, there will be circumstances that we truly can't change. Illness, injury, job loss, broken relationships. Those are life lessons that serve to strengthen us in the long run. But many of us believe we are powerless in every situation, and that is simply not true.

When we feel powerless about one situation in our lives, many of us let that feeling creep into other areas too, until suddenly we find ourselves sitting in the middle of chaos and disorder. Our inner chaos reflects in our outer circumstances. We stop taking pride in our appearance and dress more sloppily. Or we let the housework go because we don't seem to have the energy to keep up with it. We give up searching for a new job because we're not finding what we're looking for. Or we slide into poor eating habits and slack on our workout routine. We just don't feel like putting forth the effort anymore. We have given up hope and accepted our powerlessness.

A great way to shatter that feeling of powerlessness is to get moving. Okay, so maybe we can't control every little aspect of our lives. We can control most of them. If you are feeling powerless about your job situation, make a conscious decision to take control of the other areas of your life. Stick to your workout routine, clean up your house, wash your car, organize your office, clean and organize your kitchen cabinets. Often, just taking any action will release us from our "deer in the headlights" mindset and help us to solve the very problems that are making us feel so powerless.

Another thing I like to do is something I call, "Massive Foward Action." Very simply, it means putting forth a massive amount of energy and effort in a specific direction. Let's use the job example again. If you are unemployed and feeling powerless about it, put forth some massive forward action. Apply for every single job you are even remotely qualified for. Don't worry about whether you'd like the job or not, or whether you'd like to do this job for the rest of your life. Right now you just need "a" job. Worry about the details later. Call everyone you know and ask if there are open positions where they work, or if they know of any open positions elsewhere. Visit the temporary employment agencies in your area, and place applications with them. Browse the major employment websites on the internet, and apply for any jobs in your area that you would be qualified for. Drive around your area and look for Help Wanted signs. If you see one, stop to inquire about the job. You never know if it's something you can do.

Spend an entire day doing this, or more. Do it every single day until you get a job. In my own experience, it won't take long for something positive to happen. Okay, so maybe the job you get won't be exactly what you were looking for. But at least your financial worries will be over for the moment and you can then begin looking for a job you really want. Or go back to school in the evenings so you can further qualify for a better job later. Or start your own business part-time. The only limits are those you impose upon yourself.

No matter what you are feeling powerless about, it can help to simply create a plan of action. When we feel powerless, we often feel like we are trapped in a box with no way out. There seem to be dead-ends every way we turn. If we can sit down and create a plan with step by step actions we can take right now, guess what happens? We realize that we're not powerless. The most empowering thing you can do is to get moving. Don't just sit there and accept what life hands you. Get up, get out and create the life you deserve!

Wendy Betterini is a freelance writer and web designer who strives to motivate, uplift, and inspire you to make your dreams a reality. Visit her website, http://www.WingsForTheHeart.com for more positive thoughts to help you on your journey.


MORE RESOURCES:

Calgary Herald

'Motivation comes from outside'
Calgary Herald,  Canada - 1 hour ago
"Motivation is not inside a child -- we're not born with it. All motivation comes from the outside. Impulsivity is the psychological nature of children and ...


RedHawks have major motivation
Dayton Daily News, OH - 9 hours ago
Miami nearly knocked off Vanderbilt last season, and that memory has RedHawks fired up for season opener. By Pete Conrad OXFORD — When the Miami University ...


NO SHORTAGE OF TALENT, MOTIVATION: Silverado learns lessons from loss
Las Vegas Review - Journal, NV - 5 hours ago
That extra motivation could be bad news for the rest of the Southeast League and the entire Sunrise Region. The Skyhawks (10-1, 6-0 Southeast) return two ...


China Daily

Ashlee Simpson's jeans motivation
China Daily, China - 7 hours ago
Ashlee Simpson has bought six pairs of size zero jeans to motivate her to lose weight. The singer - who is expecting her first child with husband Pete Wentz ...


Dwyer High's Matthew Elam turns pain into motivation: Siblings ...
Sun-Sentinel.com, FL - 6 hours ago
By Staff Writer Stacy Hicklin Staff photo by Robert Duyos It's the one part of his life he doesn't guard tightly or reserve for only those in his inner ...


Rocked Wallabies look for motivation in Elsom ban
The Canberra Times, Australia - Aug 27, 2008
THE Wallabies will use Rocky Elsom's controversial suspension as motivation in their bid to be the first Australian team for 45 years to win two Tests in a ...


CMI at the Motivation Show
Medical Meetings (subscription), MA - 52 minutes ago
Join Corporate Meetings & Incentives at this year’s Motivation Show, to be held September 23 to 25 at McCormick Place in Chicago. On Tuesday, September 23, ...


Oneindia

Phelps providing motivation
Monroenews.com, MI - 22 hours ago
by Niles Kruger , last modified August 27. 2008 12:04PM - AP photo by Luca Bruno Michael Phelps of the United States celebrates after winning the gold medal ...
Athletes can inspire all of us San Angelo Standard Times
Phelps Emerges As Leading McCain VP Choice Crystal Air Productions (satire)
Michael Phelps: A Kid with ADHD Conquers the World in the Water Nick.com
all 300 news articles


San Francisco Chronicle

49ers QB Alex Smith using backup role as 'motivation'
San Jose Mercury News,  USA - Aug 24, 2008
"You have to use it as motivation and continue to push yourself and get better," Smith said. "Prove to people, prove to myself that I can play well in this ...
O'Sullivan turns "scratch and claw" mentality into starting job Sacramento Bee
What becomes of Alex? SF Illustrated
all 488 news articles


Owego's motivation to win volleyball crowns stays close at hand
Press & Sun-Bulletin, NY - 7 hours ago
By Robert B. Bonaparte • Press & Sun-Bulletin • August 28, 2008 When Owego Free Academy opens its Southern Tier Athletic Conference volleyball season Friday ...

Motivation - Google News

home | site map
© 2006