Today is Motivation Monday! Tell us in the comments if you’ve taken action and get a chance to win today’s giveaway which is a CD from Austin based worship group, Taylor Wise. I actually have several copies of the CD to give away today, so you have a really good chance of winning!
Get all the details at the end of the post …
How To Do Hard Things
In the past 7 days I’ve faced and conquered a couple of my biggest fears. I hate heights and I’m a self professed germ freak. Yet this week I slid down a giant zipline and ran a crazy race that had obstacles like a huge cargo net climb, mud pits, more mud pits, giant dirt hills and even more mud pits.
But don’t think I’m impressive (crazy might be a better word). It was all involuntary. Mostly.
All I did was sign up to walk the kids to the zipline at camp. (My pastor’s uber cool wife was the other counselor and she asked the instructors if we could do the zipline after the kids. Could I say no?) And I made sure to stay in touch with a super inspiring runner friend of mine. (Who talked me into doing this crazy race with her. Once I agreed, I couldn’t back out on her even after I saw the video at the end of this post.)
Basically, I got myself in “the flow.”
Get In The Flow
If you want to accomplish something big, something intimidating or something outright scary, the first step is to put yourself in “the flow.”
Think of it like a river. Someday you dream of going down the rapids, but for now, you’ll just float peacefully in a tube way up stream. It doesn’t seem scary, but it’s ever so gradually moving you towards your dream and helping you acclimate easily along the way.
Example
Maybe you’re not ready to really start an exercise routine, but it’s something you want to do. To get yourself in the flow to exercise you can:
- Read workout blogs.
- Subscribe to an exercise magazine.
- Ask your friends who go to the gym about their workout routine.
- Buy some weights and put them where you’ll see them often.
- Watch a workout dvd every day.
- Find a workout forum for moms and chat often.
Notice that none of these actions actually require you to move. At all. You could complete every single one of these things from the cozy comfort of your couch.
But…
It is human nature to conform to our surroundings. So surround yourself with what you want to be or do. I haven’t done a scientific study, but I imagine that if you do some or all of the above regulary, after a couple weeks, you’ll have a hard time NOT starting an exercise routine.
Motivation Monday Details
For those of you who are new, here’s how Motivation Monday works:
Anyone who takes some sort of action can enter to win. Your action might be:
- getting up early, reading your Bible
- going on a date with your kids
- creating a mission statement
- exercising
- creating a meal plan
- Writing a goal
It can be any action that improves who you are as a believer or a mother.
How To Enter
To enter the giveaway, you would do one (or all) of these:
1. Leave a comment and say, “I took action this week!”
2. Leave another comment telling us what action you took.
3. Follow @Inspired2Action on Twitter or Facebook and tell us there about the action you took.
4. Blog about your action and share the link below.
Action Begets Action
Why do I want you to Twitter, Facebook, Blog or Comment about the actions you taken in the past couple of weeks? …because action begets action. The things you’ve done WILL inspire others. And, well, that’s kind of what this blog is all about.
Bye Bye Germ-o-phobia
So here’s one of the obstacles from the race. I may have shrieked when I first saw it.
I took action this week!
.-= Tara´s last blog ..Socks Just Don’t Cut It =-.
I took action.
I buddied up with a friend to create a meal plan for myself. We are both working on losing weight.
I planned a family fun day for the weekend. It was great!
.-= Tara´s last blog ..Socks Just Don’t Cut It =-.
I took action this week!
I took action this week!
I was more productive during the days this last week. I gave myself time limits on the computer and got a lot done around the house!
I took action this week!
I made a list this morning of all the things I’d like to accomplish today.
I took Action this week!
I made a motherhood mission statement, has been such and encouragement this week! I hope to blog about it today as well.
I took action this week!
.-= Lindsey@ Mama Sews´s last blog ..32 Things update =-.
I managed to get up early this morning, went for a nice walk, and made a list of everything I hope to get accomplished today! 🙂 I found a new way to actually get up in the morning too. My daughter moved my alarm clock randomly to the other side of the room, instead of moving it back to the night stand I realized this was a great way to actually get my OUT of bed, instead of just cutting the alarm off. 🙂
.-= Lindsey@ Mama Sews´s last blog ..32 Things update =-.
I took action this week!
I took action this week.
I made a meal plan for the week.
I planned a playdate because it was a rainy weather week. The day of the playdate rolled around and I just wanted to hide in my house and not go. I did anyway. We all had a great time and it lifted our soggy spirits!
I took action this week.
I made a meal plan for this week, and also a morning/evening routine chart for my 4 yr old. I’ve also been getting up a little earlier each day. It’s great~!
I took action this week.
I made my motherhood mission statement.
I took action this week!
I got up early AND exercised! It felt great! Now let’s see if I can do it again 😉 I downloaded the morning routine ebook and found it very inspiring. I’ve been using the charts some and am working to use them consistently. Thanks to your post and ebook, I’ve spent much more time with my bible in the last week–love it! Thank you! And way to go on conquering your fears!
Love your blog-printed out the ebook, and have begun to set in motion more organization for my day. Today was the first day of my new routine! The kids and I got up early and went walking with friends at the park. We plan to meet each week day, and I am so excited to start moving!
I took action this week
I got up early and caught up on my Bible Study this morning!
I took action this week!
I did a menu plan, got up early to read my Bible and focus on the day, and found an exercise buddy to help me get ready for a 5k in a couple of weeks!
I took action this week! And very happy that I did!
I got up early and read the Word!!
.-= Amber Cullum´s last blog ..Multitude Monday IV with some pictures from Hilton Head =-.
I took action!
I took my daughter on a lunch date in the “big city” as a reward for the 4th grade year’s worth of good report card grades, nothing lower than a B. So proud of her!
I took action!
I planned my meals for the week & tackled 3 things on my to-do list today!
I took action this week!
I scheduled exercise into my days!!!
I took action this week!
I made a meal plan and it was such a blessing. I don’t know why it is so hard to do every week but I hope that one day it will come so quick and easy (it often times takes me what feels like a very long time). It is so peaceful to have meals planned out and not to have to throw together non-nutritious meals at the last minute!
I took action by buying a domain to start my own blog which will journal how I intend to make money online to pay off my debts. I did it inspite of feeling fearful that I may not succeed.
I have also taken action by reading the inspired to action prayers for my husband and daughter.
I took action! 🙂
Praying for my girlies & hubby…it’s so wonderful! I not only love the quiet moments, but it has changed my whole attitude!
I took action!
I got up early and helped a busy family with seven children plant their garden.
I took action this week!
And I have to know what race that is…it looks like tons of fun! (I am obviously not a germ-a-phobe:-)
I set up a cleaning schedule this week and have actually done pretty well following it. My house is much cleaner/neater than usual.
I did this too Sam! Amazing how clean the house looks following my plan!
I took action today.
Instead of taking a few minutes for me after dinner, I braided my girls hair and really listened when my husband talked. I feel better than if I’d taken those 15 minutes in quiet, alone time.
I took action!
I created summer goals, and I had a goal setting session with my 6 year old daughter and helped her create summer goals, too! I’ve also been working on my motherhood mission statement. It’s way too wordy right now, so I’m trying to figure out how to make it more succinct and still have it say everything I want it to say. Thanks for your blog! It’s been a real encouragement to me lately. Blessings on you!
I took action this week!!!!!
I picked back up my Chronological Bible and started reading again. Whether in the morning or in the evening, I make sure that I read. I am way behind but that’s okay…I am doing it!!!
I made a new year’s resolution to accomplish one thing every day for 365 days this year.. and then I started a blog about it!
http://www.365resolutions.blogspot.com
It’s not always easy, but I can’t believe how much I’ve accomplished in 5 and a half months! Looking back over my list helps keep me motivated and focused on days when I have NO motivation! 🙂
I took action this week.
.-= Mozi Esmes Mom´s last blog ..Review: Whales Download N Go =-.
I took action this week!
I sat down with my 3 yr old to talk about what we could do to turn ‘rest time’ for brother into a less stressfull situation. *so hard not to want to play loudly during brother’s nap 🙂 He wanted to use the time to ‘go to school” so each night before bed, he tells me what he wants to learn about the next day. I use my early mornings searching for kid friendly video’s, songs, activities, coloring pages ect. I got him a homework folder and a school supply box, and during brother’s naptime he watches video’s and does his homework. Brother gets his nap, and now instead of constantly reminding my toddler to remember his quiet voice, we are spending quality time together learning and having fun. Makes the day soo much more enjoyable and has now become our special mommy/son time 🙂
I hope I am not too late to enter this! I am so glad I found your Motivation Monday series. I’ve been blogging on this topic lately, and having been searching for someone who also blogs on the topic.
I use my Monday morning commute (a wretched hour) to think of one awesome/sweet/funny thing that happened to me last week. It not only lifts my mood, but encourages me to search for positive things throughout the week. http://bit.ly/cAPcai
.-= Heidi´s last blog ..Breakfast Runza – Breakfast on the Run =-.