How do I get my enthusiasm back? (Healthy Living DIY)

Wow, this question really says it. "How do I get back the enthusiasm I once had for the project I'm supposed to be working on? In other words, I know I'm not in a productive state. How do I get back to being productive?"

Who among us can't relate to this one? I know I can. It's way too easy to become discouraged or overwhelmed -- especially when it seems we have a lot on our plate or a big challenge looming.

Now I'll tell you a truly inspiring secret. Through the process of formulating this question, the reader told me he figured out the answer himself. :-). Now that's powerful!

Want to hear what he said?

This reader had wisely arranged to receive his very own copy of our self-coaching manual: "Saboteur's Guide to a Productive Life: 7 Simple Steps to Freedom" some time ago. He'd read it, too. So he already knew that the answer he was looking for existed somewhere. It was just a matter of tracking it down.

Why do I mention this obvious fact? Glad you asked. It's a critical part of the reason he was able to answer the question for himself. Because he knew that, despite his discouragement in the moment, there was a solution available.

Why is this such a big deal that I'd devote 3 whole paragraphs of this short article to it? Because research shows that people will not even bother to look for a solution they believe does not exist, regardless of whether or not their belief is accurate.

Now for the answer. Our reader told me he realized he'd found himself getting bogged down in process-oriented thinking. Specifically he said, "I was looking only at the process and thinking of the obstacles in the way of my goals..."

It's more productive, of course, to keep your eyes on the result you intend to produce. Yet in that moment, he saw only obstacles. Naturally, he began to get discouraged. It's easy to do!

Yet you know you're on the right track in life when you can, like this reader, recognize that something's off and take prompt steps to correct it. Once our reader realized his state had slipped, he did THREE very smart things:

He sifted back through the material he had and found the "Wally's Widget Wonderland" story, then re-read it.
He enlisted the support of his spouse; the two of them worked together to come up with some new ideas.
He contacted his coach! (Me.)

By now, he's back into his empowered state. His objective circumstances haven't changed much. But his resourcefulness is back to normal. He can once again make powerful choices and stay on track.

Good going!

P.S. For the reader whose original question inspired my writing of the story about Mike and Wally's Widget Wonderland -- and I know it's likely you'll read this post -- see how having asked that question helped someone else? Brava to you, too!

Elizabeth Eckert can help you explore how simple everyday choices create health — or undermine even the best of intentions. With a background that ranges from energy medicine to structural bodywork to developmental psychology, this "Stick-To-It Coach" has the experience to support you in creating the healthiest possible expression of — you!

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