We used to keep a pair of goats and sadly, one of them died, leaving us with a single goat. However an ‘alone’ goat is a sad goat to be sure and when Gordon passed away leaving just Bennett, the lonely goat was so distressed our only options were for us to either move into his stable with him – or have him move into the house with us. We chose the latter (hmm – ever seen a goat watch TV – I have!) ….and next day we urgently found Bennett a companion goat (Joshua!) to both live outside!

Goats aren't the only flocking animal - are you one?

Well, goats aren’t the only ‘flocking’ animal; it can be vital for all of us to be connected to others too. That doesn’t mean we can’t live alone – but it refers to someone, some group, something…to whom we can feel connected? For some of us this is a partner and maybe children. For others it may be extended family. Then there’s Facebook or Friends Reunited…being a football team supporter… having colleagues at work…owning a pet…and of course, religion – a sense of being part of God’s family.

Sometimes it’s in the sharing of a story with friends, or the showing of the holiday photos to the family, that it can all be enjoyed even better than the original experience – have you noticed that?

Even if you are a Lighthouse Keeper, it’s important to have some sense of connection on this planet. Actually, that should be: especially if you’re a Lighthouse Keeper! Indeed, beware the absolute loner who has no tie-ups at all….the person whom the neighbours have no idea who they are…for that can spell trouble.

Well, it seems that our goats knew a thing or two. So just take a moment to think about your ‘connectedness’ – and if it’s looking a little sparce, why not consider joining a club, volunteering with a group or finding some other way to connect to a few more people for chat, camaraderie and laughs. Go on, my friend. It’ll do you good!

That Elusive Self-Motivation

Why do anything? Let’s just play Solitaire, fiddle about on Facebook and get some snacks and coffee. Yay. Then let’s spend ages creating a really beautiful To Do List, perhaps involving lovely boxes, pretty colours and marvellous fonts. Oh and there’s a TV programme to clear off Sky Plus, so it would be good to release the space, eh? Hey, and it’s time for another coffee now!

Oh, the wonderful world of trivia and excuses – it’s endless!

So, if you’re someone who could run a Masterclass in putting things off – here are some food-for-thought morsels for you:

Some people are very ‘towards’, very goal-oriented. They figure out what they want, prioritise it effectively and then go-go-go until they reach the goal. Go them!

On the other hand, some of us are more ‘away from’ – ie motivated much more by what will happen if we don’t do something! What are the consequences of NOT doing the task? Hmm. Stick or carrot. Pleasure or pain. Forward towards the goal, or away from the consequences of not doing it?

Perhaps even more basic would be why you want/need to do the task anyway. Why is it important at all? What’s the result of doing it/not doing it – and which of these are bigger for you?

Here’s a few more questions, whilst we’re about it:

If there’s a problem stopping you from getting the task done – what are your limitations in solving it? Can you solve it? What do you need? Get it. Sort it. Organise your world to be able to have everything required. Good.

You may also need to take into account your best time of day for working (I’m a morning girl on the whole)…and protect that time. It’s not a new idea (check out Brian Tracy’s words) but tiny little distractions WILL keep on appearing all day long to steal away your attention and time, if you’ll let them (‘ping’ there’s a new tweet… ‘ring’, there’s a call…….now emails, and the post..visitors…lunch..). So create a cocoon and a really effective working environment that’s right for you. I have to have peace and quiet and no disturbances and need to work at a computer. My son likes loud drum and bass music and has to walk around constantly, to generate his creative processes!

So, if you’ve worked out why it’s important for you to achieve the goal….you’ve created the right environment, resources and time of day for you…..what else might be in the way?

Well, you’ll need to be clear in your mind as to what you have to do and how to do it!  Clarity is key!

If you’re not clear – it’s not going to flow. I went on a film-writing weekend years ago and the teacher said that he didn’t write one single word of the actual script until he’d worked out every character, every nuance, every scene, every detail – and once it was all crystal clear in his mind, he said the script wrote itself. Ooh, I like it.

Then, another great hurdle can be that whole thing of ‘where’ to start. Well how about this – it probably doesn’t matter. ‘Poke holes’ in the problem. If it’s a tricky letter that you’re blocked in writing – then maybe start with the envelope and a stamp. Good start. Ok – how about topping the letter with the address, date and Dear xxx greeting. Done. See what I mean about poking holes? The problem shrinks a little with every little bit you can do…and looks easier and more achievable as a result. It’s the same metaphor by another name as that one about the big and scary Elephant, too large to tackle. So ask yourself the age old question: How do you eat an elephant? Answer: One bite at a time. Every bite counts so get stuck in, anywhere and shrink the elephant calorie by calorie.

One of the last aspects to mention here is that some people can focus more easily on self and on the task – and others of us are much more motivated by doing things for other people. If you’re one of the latter (my hand’s up!) then find a reason to do the work to please others. Eg When the task is completed, I can spend quality time with other people….or donate some of the income from it to a charity etc etc. Make it about other people to create your own motivation factor. When I took my brown belt grading in karate, it was so gruelling that I got to the stage where I couldn’t dig any deeper and began not to care what damage I personally received (ouch)…so the instructor turned it around and made another person that was grading suffer whenever I failed a task. Oh dear. That was MUCH more motivating for me. Double ouch.

Finally, Roald Dahl (brilliant writer) had a firm belief in giving oneself treats. Not too many, mind – and not too lavish, probably. But we all like rewards and treats (well, I do) and so think of one and then do something to deserve it!

Now, enough of reading blogs. Make a comment below if you want – and then go and get on with your most important task without any further delay. If not for you, then do it for me? Go on!