Lack of motivation

Things I need to get done pile up due to no motivation. How do I improve on this?

Thanks for this thread, I will be watching it to see what kind of answers you get because I could really use some help myself.

I understand this feeling. I will also be watching for answers.

Same situation. I think that having the task become not so much of a challenge in your perspective will help. Think that the things you need to accomplish aren't as horrible as you think they are. Then make a schedule or a check list of things you need to get done. It could be tiny or big tasks. Like if it was homework.
Read page 1-5 [check here]
Read pages 5-10 [check here]

Or big tasks like
Read whole book [check when done]

I hope it helps! I think also taking things lightly helps lighten the tasks you need to accomplish. Pretend the tasks are like feathers floating from the sky and you are also a feather and you are gonna get all the work done soon enough. believe you CAN get it done. Believe that you already got it done.

I have the same problem. I have realized that I overthink things. I make small things seem like big obstacles. Like making a quick phone call. Yes, even that is something I put off. I have decided to lower my expectations to myself. If I manage to do just ONE of the things that I have been putting off, that day, then I am happy with myself. Dont ovethink. Remember that once you get started, you are on your way. Maybe it only takes 30 minutes to do one task. And you spend more energy agonizing over what you dont get done, than the energy it takes to actuelly do it!
But keep in mind that if you are coping with a mental illness, you just dont have the energylevel to get a lot of things done. And one might have a hard time with concentration and focus. So dont be too hard on yourself.

Yea phone calls are the worst for me.

Sounds like we're all waiting for answers.

I agree with Beachlover and Homeira. Break down seemingly big tasks into smaller, somewhat manageable ones. When you do accomplish a smaller portion, try to reward yourself, even if only verbally with "I did good on that one!"

For me also, making a telephone call is almost impossible to do. Talk about putting something off.... wow. But I also dread leaving my house. I don't have to deal with people when I'm home. I won't go out unless it's positively, absolutely necessary to do so. Even then, I have to talk myself into doing it. When I go to my therapy session, I come right back home. When I have to go pick up a prescription, I go do it and come right back home.

I might have two or three errands to do that I have not done yet. I'll do one a day, but not on consecutive days. On my really good days, I'll go do one errand and when I get back into the car, instead of coming home, I'll say "Might as well go do errand #2 since it's just a couple blocks away". After I do that errand, I give myself a reward and say "I did so good, I think I'll treat myself to a Starbucks". Sometimes I reward myself with a Starbucks coffee after doing just *one* thing that I have been putting off for some time.

I'll go through a phase where I'm actually accomplishing a bunch of little things and actually feeling proud of myself. But then, I'll follow that up with a longer phase of wonderful procrastination and staying home where I feel safe.

Doing smaller tasks will still be difficult to accomplish and you won't do them in quick succession, but you're more likely to eventually complete each of them than attempting to complete one great big task all at once.

It works for some people, maybe it'll work for you.

I like the image of feathers falling from the sky, that Beachlover527 wrote about. I am looking for good things to visualize(did I write that correctly? My english spelling not always good...). Having certain images in my mind helps me, and the idea of me being light as a feather also, is a beautiful thought. Especially when I so often feel rather groggy and "heavy". Well, tonight I managed to fill out a form (on line ), important stuff, and at least that is done!

Feels great when you can get at least one thing done.

Very happy that you liked my imagery! Yes it is a wonderful feeling to not feel so weighed down on and to be able to face any obstacle if it is light.

Didnt sleep at all last night, that is a problem that has shown ut lately (I am bipolar type II), deling with a lot of inner critisism and sadness for some difficult things with my family. In additon to being there for my son, feeling overwhelmed these days! So today I am really groggy! But I think I must be inspired nonetheless. Cleaned the bathroom after he was off to school, and got two more e-mails out. Still hasnt made that phonecall though...

Good job! Please believe you CAN do something. The more you do these things, the easier it will be for you the next time you do them. Like making that phone call, face your fears and do it! It may seem very difficult but I like to think It's already been done. So imagine that you've made that phone call already. You can do this :-)

Thanks for the support! I am really glad that Aprillynn started this thread. I am new here, and it is great to see that issue being addressed! I tend to think that I am alone in my little bubble, struggeling with doing normal, everyday tasks. And it is sooo wondelful to hear from other people struggeling with the same issues! Well, now I have achieved something today, and I am pleased with myself for that!

Confession: I'm a freshman in college and today I have a test for a book I had to read but did I read the book? Nope. The whole week I have been on my favorite kids website and avoiding the reading. So yes, this is a lack of motivation.
I am going to skip class today so I can read and then take the test next Monday if I am even allowed. But I'm not even reading right now. I am on my phone, and was trying to get the game to work earlier this morning, sleeping. I don't feel it is the game that is the problem, it is my avoidance of the assignment and lack of motivation. I do anything I can to distract myself from doing the assignment at all. Usually I would care about finishing the assignment if I did procrastinate (which happens quite often) but I don't really care so much and that is a huge major problem. Especially because I am in college and I need to get my sh#t finished. Fml.

Yes, it certainly does. Let's try to make it happen more often, okay?

Congratulations on getting things done! Now, don't forget about that phone call. It's not going to happen by itself. You make your phone call and I'll make mine..... gotta make an appointment to have my hair cut. Should be a simple call, huh?

Ok... I have to call the dentist... Not visited PC since monday, I think. Did you get your call made? I have yet to make mine. Tomorrow!
I make my call and you make yours! Good plan. (It might actually work for me...)
Today I was supposed to see my psychiatrist, cancelled. She wanted me to be there at 9 am. Should have never made that appointment that early. Well, maybe it isnt really that early, but in the world I am living in these days it is. Woke up at eight and could not face the challenge of getting up, shower, getting dressed, eating breakfast, leaving the house (help... nope, not going to happen). Well, I am not really disappointed in myself, just think of it as because I am really not well right now. Just have to take one day at a time.

(for Beachlover):
Knowledge is power, and power corrupts. So study hard and be EVIL!
That is the best piece of inspiration I could think of...

I find setting a timer works for me (if I let myself do it). I can easily waste hours online doing nothing. If I set a timer for 5 or 15 minutes to do X, then at least I get *something* done and often snap myself out of whatever time-wasting mood I've been in.

That's what my therapist said to do and hearing another person say it works is helpful. I just have a hard time staying on task with that. Like I really do want to spend more time on leisure than completing the assignments. It's all about self discipline

I find that I am more likely to refocus my attention on what I am supposed to be doing when the timer is running -- I still get distracted, but it's easier to stop myself.

Great iea with the timer. Must try that! Must tell you guys that just joining this thread has helped me with my focus. Somehow seems a lot easier when I know that I am not alone in having this problem. Focusing on it, and taking it seriously as an issue, really thinking about it, helps me also. Take the problem at the root. Maybe it is easier for me to leave things undone, because then I dont have to deal with the real underlying issue, which is dealing with the world out there. Sometimes the idea of going outside to my mailbox seems like mission impossible, so of course making a phone call is going to freak me out as well. It is after all dealing with the outside world. It is going into a situation I dont have complete control over, and that is something I feel like I need. But it is just a feeling, it is not really me, I tell myself. It is just a feeling of insecurity. But then the anxiety is there, and it overwhelms me, because it is not only mental, but also physical. But I do get some things done, and I remind myself of that. Having a list over the things I need to do, and checking them off when I get them out of the way, helps me see the things I have done, and not just focusing on the things I havent done yet.

I write down a list of things to do it keeps the focus on but getting to actually do it is another story

Also remember to be kind to yourself. You don't want to over exhaust how much you can handle. Understand the way you're feeling because you might do too much in one day and not want to do the task ever again. Take baby steps.
Also having a check list is very helpful. Once you check off your duty, there is this feeling is power and accomplishment. Maybe to motivate you more, set out a reward for yourself. Something that you truly deserve. good luck!

Yes. Very true. I feel good after checking things off the list.