In Essentialism, author and business strategist Greg McKeown says, “Research has shown that of all forms of human motivation the most effective one is progress.” How powerful is that? McKeown continues with, “Why? Because a small, concrete win creates momentum and affirms our faith in our future success.”

Have you experienced overwhelm or lack of clarity about a project or next step? Instead of being motivated, overwhelm creates inaction and paralysis. While keeping the big picture in mind can be helpful, it can also feel impossible to achieve. Think about the house you want to clear out to downsize and sell or the boxes of mementos and photos you have accumulated over decades that you need to edit and organize. You feel stuck and de-motivated because of the sheer volume of tasks and perceived time required to reach your goal.

Let’s return to the idea that progress is one of the most effective motivators. Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer developed the Progress Principle, resulting from a year-long study with hundreds of employees and over 12,000 analyzed diary entries. It highlights the essential role of progress in motivating people and improving their inner work lives. Here are some significant discoveries from the Progress Principle and its positive effect on motivation:

• Progress contributes to a positive inner work life (psychological state), which leads to more progress and increases creativity, engagement, productivity, and performance.
  
  

• Progress is the most significant indicator of employee happiness and performance, regardless of size. Even incremental progress has a positive effect on motivation.
  
  

• The Progress Principle draws on our innate human need for achievement and growth. When people feel they are making progress, they experience fulfillment and satisfaction, which motivates them to continue striving.
  
  

• The Progress Principle isn’t limited to the workplace. It can also be used for personal development and self-improvement. You can stay motivated and continue progressing toward your goals by recognizing and celebrating small wins.

“... of all forms of human motivation the most effective one is progress.”

— Greg McKeown

Are you struggling with motivation and activation? Are you stuck and finding it difficult to move forward? Advance one tiny action at a time. Notice how that boosts your motivation, builds confidence, and encourages a cycle of more movement. Trust the process. The act of doing creates momentum, motivation, and progress.

If you want help to figure out and take your next steps, contact me, Linda. Call at 914-271-5673, email linda@ohsoorganized.com, or click here. I’m here for you.

Do you know Jonathan Larson’s iconic “Seasons of Love” song from the musical “Rent”? It begins with “five-hundred, twenty-five thousand, six-hundred minutes,” the number of minutes a year. He asks, “How do you measure, measure a year?” Jonathan continues with questions about how to measure a year in the life and the life of a woman or a man. Every time I hear it, this beautiful ballad reminds me of how precious time is. It brings me to tears.

Our time is limited, so what we choose to do with it and how we acknowledge and appreciate it matters.

In Happier Hour, Cassie Holmes shares several “time crafting strategies” which encourage focusing on positive experiences. She proposes that making time to do this will bring you more clarity, satisfaction, and happiness.

One strategy she learned from her friend who practices it with her kids on their car rides home from school. I encourage you to try it with your kids, partner, friends, or colleagues. You can also do this as a solo practice. I slightly modified the concept for our purpose and am sharing the three-part practice with you.

Effective Time Crafting Strategy

1. The Rose – Something Good

Share something good that happened. This immediately focuses your thoughts on the positive and encourages gratitude for the time you are in now.

2. The Thorn – Something Bad

Share something crummy that happened. This helps develop problem-solving skills and acknowledges that life isn’t only rosey. Challenges are part of life.

3. The Bud – Something Exciting

Share something you are excited about. While it’s terrific to be mindful and in the present moment, looking to the future with happy anticipation extends your joy quotient and enhances your time.

“Time passes in the blink of an eye.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVOP™

Here is an example of my rose, thorn, and bud.

• Rose – I had a productive virtual organizing session with a new client and loved helping her accomplish her session goal.

• Thorn – I couldn’t make it through the yoga class because I wasn’t feeling well.

• Bud – I’m so excited we’re going to Turks & Caicos to celebrate our 40th Anniversary!

Time passes in the blink of an eye. Acknowledging what you are grateful for and learning from the challenges can enhance and bring clarity to your days.

Are you making time to reflect? What are your rose, thorn, and bud? I’d love to hear your thoughts and invite you to join the conversation.

Seasons of Love - RENT (2008 Broadway Cast)

This summer, I tried something new. I started taking a Zumba class at a local venue. While I’ve only had a few classes so far, I’m enjoying the experience and the exercise. As often happens, whatever topic I write about for a particular month, ends up catching my attention even more than usual. This month I’m writing about motivation. As I thought about my Zumba experience, I made some motivation connections. Perhaps some of these ideas will help you as you search for motivation to try something new, approach something challenging, or stretch towards your organizing goals.

1. Seed Planting – Long before I stepped into my first Zumba class, the idea for doing something new, fun, and physical kept entering my thoughts. I heard friends talking about their positive Zumba experiences. I saw advertisements for Zumba classes. I thought about previous dance and exercise experiences that I loved. The process of planting seeds or thoughts were part of what ultimately enabled me to get motivated enough to take action. These ponderings were essential to moving ahead.

2. Partnering – When I mentioned my desire to take a fun class to one of my friends, she expressed an interest in joining me. At that point, we didn’t know what the class would be. When I picked Zumba class, I invited her to come along. Knowing that she’d be there motivated me get the first class. Accountability can be a motivation key.

3. Goal Setting – Dance has always been a joyful part of my life. Most types of dance require stamina. Zumba is no different. It is a one-hour dance fitness class of constant movement done to upbeat music like salsa and hip-hop. My biggest concern for the first class was if I’d have the stamina to keep going. To stay motivated and standing, my goal was, “Just one more, Linda.” It worked. I didn’t fall over. I didn’t pass out. I was still standing at the end of the class. I came back the following week for more. It was still challenging, but a bit easier than the previous week.

4. Committing – This particular class had several payment options. You could either drop-in unannounced and pay per class, or you could sign-up for a series and get a discounted rate. Since I wasn’t sure if I’d like Zumba or if I’d have the stamina, I opted to “drop-in” on the first class. At the end, I committed to continuing. Knowing that I purchased a class series and have paid for it, adds another dimension to motivation. I don’t want to waste my investment. My financial commitment will motivate me to continue.

5. Satisfying – By the end of class, even though you sweat like there’s no tomorrow and are hot as anything, you also feel really good. It feels wonderful to be moving, get the blood flowing, and know that you are doing something healthy and fun for your mind and body. This satisfaction and “feel good” plays a big role in remaining motivated.

It was time to try something new and fun. Who knew that motivation was key and continues to be essential in my Zumba class journey? How about you? How does motivation show up for you? Come join the conversation.

Life is all about moments big and small. Sometimes the events are so small and fleeting that we don’t recognize them as significant. We don’t always stop to appreciate them or even understand how those small, seemingly, non-events play an important part in something larger. At other times, we become acutely aware of the role those tiny actions make in bringing us to that one giant goal we seek.

For me, the process of accomplishing a large goal usually starts with two things: a thought and a list. Now I don’t know about you, but I love making lists. I use them to help me remember the simple things like “Buy milk, cereal and toilet paper” to the more complex and long term items such as “Write a book.” I rely on my various lists to remind and guide me through life. If any of you are list makers, I’m sure you will appreciate that one of the most satisfying parts of completing an item from the list is grabbing a nice, thick pen and energetically crossing the item off. Done!  Aaahhh. Even though I know that new items will pop-up the moment one thing is crossed off, I am never discouraged. This is just a fact of life. If you are living, there will always be things to do and accomplish. That’s a good thing.

On my “Master To Do List,” that resides prominently on my desk, one item remained on the list for years. It said, “Write organizing book.”  Every time I’d update the list, I’d carry over this particular item year after year. That thought might horrify some of you. But the truth is that certain things take time to accomplish. Any big project or change includes many small steps and commitments.

Something different happened in 2009. At the beginning of the year, I decided that this one reoccurring item would be accomplished before the year’s end. The time had come to commit the resources and energy needed to complete this goal.  Over the years, there had been a lot of preparation and research. Do you remember those small actions I mentioned earlier? Many actions took place along the way to help me reach my big goal.

So the other day, when my first boxes of books arrived, I decided it was time to pick up a pen and cross “Write organizing book” off my list!  As I drove the red felt tip through those words, it almost felt surreal that the book was actually finished, printed and in my hands. What followed were a sigh, a smile and some joyful tears.