Bipolar? What if You Are Unmotivated?

Let's face it - if you have bipolar disorder, there are going to be times that you feel totally unmotivated. So what can you do about it?

Many people just go with it. They'll stay in bed, or veg on the couch watching TV all day, staying unmotivated and unproductive.

But that's not what you really want, is it? Staying unmotivated and unproductive can lead to downright laziness. And you don't want that. Especially if it goes on too long. It can lead to depression, and depression can lead to a bipolar depressive episode.

Ok, so you don't want to stay unmotivated. Where do you start?

Start by doing just one thing. It doesn't even have to be a big thing. Just one small thing.

That's how I tackled the biggest task I had at hand at one point - my cluttered dining room talbe, which I never thought I'd be able to do. So do you know how I did it? One small piece at a time.

The big secret? Just get started. Just do it!

Once I got started, I found my motivation. I just kept doing one small piece at a time, a little at a time, until (a week later) the whole table was cleaned off.

Is there something you've been putting off because of a lack of motivation? Then remember the secret - just get started. Do just one small part of the task.

If it is a large task we're talking about, you could start off with a list - make a To-Do List of the smaller tasks it will take to accomplish this bigger task. Then start on one of the smaller tasks - but get started at least!

Sometimes I don't feel like writing this blog (ok, so the confession is out), I just don't feel motivated. But I find that if I just start it, just start writing those first few sentences, that the rest seems to flow. I get my motivation, it just comes, if I just start the beginning.

Sometimes our tasks can happen like that - if we just start them, the motivation will come. But it's up to us to start them. Just do the beginning, and the rest will flow.

So what do you do when you are unmotivated? Sometimes you can do one little bit at a time, and sometimes you can just start the project (or task) and the rest will come.

What else can you do? Maybe you can use someone else to help you get motivated. Like a friend, supporter, or family member. They may be more motivated than you are, and perhaps you can "catch" their motivation (enthusiasm) for the job. Sometimes working alongside someone else can be motivating in itself. Just having the company can help you.

Other times you just have to let it go. Procrastinate it till another day. If you are truly unmotivated, and none of these suggestions will help you, you may have to set the task aside and try again tomorrow. It may not be worth the frustration.

Just make sure that you are ready for the guilt that may come upon you, and stay rational - tell yourself that you DO intend to tend to the task, you will just make another go at it tomorrow, whene you hope to feel more motivated than you were today.

It's important to remember that things like unmotivation are very real to people who suffer from bipolar disorder, and this may come upon you, so be ready for it. Have a game plan in advance for what you're going to do when it does happen. Then you'll be on top of things.

Wishing you peace and stability,

Don't forget to check out my bipolar book at: www.brokenroseministries.com

Remember God loves you and so do I,

Michele