Today I struggled to get motivated. I had lots on my list to get done including some big decisions. My purpose and reasoning behind the list was clear – I just didn’t feel like it and wanted to kick back, not to mention avoid making the decisions. Sometimes that actually helps – distracting myself with other random things can mean my subconscious gets busy and does the heavy lifting. Today though, I didn’t really have that option or seemingly enough time on my hands.
As I turned on the laptop to start checking Facebook and procrastinate a bit, I spotted my silver ‘Just Keep Swimming’ key fob pictured above. It was a Father’s Day present from my wife… ahem, kids. She and I got to know the lilting song of Dory from the original Disney Pixar Movie, Finding Nemo. Dory’s catchy little mantra became a ditty that we sang to each other when going through tough times, sad times or just downright boring slog times. In case you haven’t heard this ear worm – here it is.
Such a small trigger – but singing that in my head makes me smile, think of persevering and getting stuck into most things. So I got started & just kept swimming through the day.
PS If you’ve ever read the book One Step Beyond by Chris Moon – that’s the same for me… but very very different as well. I use ‘One Step Beyond’ as a mantra when going through physical pain – because I can always push further than I first expect or feel I can.
What mantras, sayings or triggers do you use for overcoming things for yourself?
Love the Dory mantra and like you have had to watch/listen to it so many times! I like many grew up with ‘there’s no such word as can’t’ ‘where there’s a will there’s a way’ and have a wooden carving from a trip with the accept what I cant change message on…
I have ordered the pirate book you suggested so who knows maybe I can change things that I previously thought I couldn’t! I will see
Ah that’s good to hear Jo. I like the idea of acceptance too. Plenty of times when compromising feels like the wiser course of action than always attempting to ‘overcome.’ What was the trip on which you picked up the wooden carving?
My Mum’s saying when I was growing up was “there’s more than one way to skin a cat” (it’s a savage metaphor!). It stuck with me for my whole life. She would demonstrate it to me every time she didn’t get straight to her desired outcome, she’d just try another way, it may have taken longer, it may have been more difficult but it was another way to achieve the same thing.
A perfect one for Mothers Day – thanks Janet. I need to use that kind of reframe more often myself. It’s too easy for me to get blinkered, especially when feeling the pressure.