Working Toward Balance – ROW80 Mid-week Check-in 10/12/11

Wednesday is always kind of a draggin-my-ass-around day here at More Cowbell. After working 20-25 hours on Monday and Tuesday, it’s a stretch to muster any energy for Hump Day.

However, if any of you read yesterday’s post, 5 Great Bits of Wisdom From A New York Times Bestseller, you’d know that a lot of writing (hell, MOST writing) is just showing up and doing the work.

I hunted around for some motivation to do this post…drank coffee, jumped up and down…ate some Halloween candy.

Finally I Googled the topic just for grins and lo and behold…

The Top 4 Factors that Motivate Employees Writers are:

1. Achievement

This motivator kicks in when the person is motivated by the objective itself. If an employee’s writer’s goal is to finish a project, they will stay amped up for the duration of that project.

2. Advancement

Inspiration in this case is related to the likelihood of advancing “up the ladder.” I’ve met people who say they don’t care about moving up, gaining prestige or making more money. And you know what? I don’t believe them. Let’s hear it for ambition! 🙂

3. Pressure

Some people thrive under pressure, but this motivator is the one least recommended. Think about how this relates to something like completing a degree program or writing a novel. Being motivated by pressure is the thing that will give students and writers ulcers. I’m not saying this is never my motivation, but it sure does wear a body out.

4. Fear

I was sad to see that this is the most regularly used employee motivator. In the workplace, it’s usually a fear of losing your job if you don’t perform. We explored writer’s fears in a whole series of posts over at Writers In The Storm. Click here for a post that sums up the series and provides links to all the fear blogs.

Now the close of this “4 Motivators” post is the reason I linked to it:

The secret to the most valuable employee writer’s motivation method rests in balance.

Yep, that's me most days. (I mean, except for the whole Olympic gymnast/leotard thing.)

I forget about balance. Quite often.

It is the number one thing that my husband sighs over when it comes to me, and it is the number one thing I continually fight for in my own life.

I want to believe I’m getting better at accepting that I don’t need to drag myself through the wringer just to get everything done. (Stop laughing, Honey!)

Case in point:
I’m supposed to have the pics up from the ROCK THE ROW Party for voting. Plus, I’m supposed to be discussing my ROW80 “progress” since Sunday.

It’s 10 pm Tuesday night and I’m just leaving work. There is no ROW80 progress. Most of my progress happens between Wed and Sunday when I actually have time to breathe.

In my old life, I’d have stayed until it was done, even if I left the office at midnight. The new me accepts that one day won’t matter.

I think I’m growing. Don’t you? (STOP laughing, Honey!)

As you move forward with your ROW80 goals this week, I wish you BALANCE. It is the most valuable gift you can give yourself to help you muster the motivation to chase your dreams.

Is “balance” on your list of ROW80 goals? What do you do to achieve balance in your life? Is this a strong area for you or a weak one? Enquiring minds always want to hear your answers here at More Cowbell!

Jenny