How to Get Motivated Again As a Leader (When You Stop Giving a F*#k)

"You can dance in the storm. Don't wait for the rain to be over because it might take too long. You can do it now. Wherever you are right now, you can start right now. This very moment.” – Israelmore Ayivor

What happens when you're a leader, but you've lost your motivation? It can be challenging to regain momentum when you've taken time off or faced tough business situations. The hurdles in moving your business forward suddenly seem insurmountable. What if the stuckness lasts forever? How does it affect your business, your family, your lifestyle? Seriously though, how do you find your mojo again so you can be the leader you were meant to be? I have a few ideas. If I can get unstuck, you can too. Let's find our mojo together.

Recognize and Admit You're Stuck

The first thing I do to get unstuck is stop judging myself and acknowledge that I'm unmotivated. Declaring that I'm stuck is crucial because stuckness can be deceptive and hard to recognize. As we grow and reach for bigger achievements, our psychology adapts, helping us hide and stay safe. Unfortunately, being stuck can look like resting or self-care – taking a well-deserved break, handling household chores, or even tackling massive projects that don’t move us closer to our goals.

Consider my recent hideouts: getting my inbox down to zero (it lasted for about 22 minutes), perfecting my manicure skills, binge-watching TV shows while on the treadmill, or reading fiction for hours. These activities became procrastination, avoidance, and stuckness. Once I noticed it, I stopped making it mean something. I stopped judging myself. If you’ve discovered you’re stuck, it’s okay. You’re stuck. Good. Now we can do something about it.

Find Your Why

Why are you stuck? Maybe you’re not in alignment with what you’re doing. Are you stuck because you don’t know what you want? Because you’re waiting for the right answer or for things to be perfect? Because you’re bored or afraid of making a choice and living with it?

A while back, my business plateaued. It was unnerving. I felt like I was treading water, and the phone wasn’t ringing. I reached out to my advisors who suggested focusing on employee resource groups inside corporations. It seemed like a great idea, but everything stalled. It hurt. I wasn’t taking action because, deep down, my greatest joy is working with founders to be better leaders, not training corporate employees. Smart people suggested that path, but it wasn’t aligned with my strengths, joy, and values.

Once I figured that out, I thought I’d be unstuck, right? Nope. Knowing why you’re stuck doesn’t automatically unstick you. Ultimately, the reasons are all stories – past history and fear. To get moving, you must shift from a place of self-interest to focusing on the impact you want to make.

Reconnect to Your Big Why

When I lose motivation, it’s often because I’m more worried about myself than making a difference for others. To reconnect, I think about the possibility of women in CEO roles, creative and political positions, leading their families with grace and power. Sharing a story or tip that could help women feel confident and able to speak up for what matters to them reignites my motivation.

Close your eyes and envision your future self. Pick a time in the future, 3, 6, 12 months from now. Imagine where you’d like to be and what you will have accomplished. Envision the positive impact on others because you showed up. Celebrate that moment.

Just Do Something

Now, you’re more inspired, but not yet in action. So, just do something. Taking rapid, messy action starts the wheels of motivation and momentum turning again. Here are some actions you can take:

• Set Goals and Plan: Break your goals into super small, actionable steps. What is the next literal step you can take right now?
• Take Care of Yourself: Imagine your future self and take care of yourself in that way. Sleep, hydrate, exercise – keep yourself in the best possible shape to make an impact.
• Connect with Others: Find a partner, collaborator, mentor, or coach. Stand in the vision of your future self and make those connections, even if they’re imaginary at first.
• Celebrate Success: Celebrate your small wins along the way. It could be as simple as enjoying a treat or sending an encouraging message to yourself.

Losing your motivation can be unsettling when you’re a leader. But it’s crucial to keep moving forward, even if you still feel some residual stuckness. Declare your stuckness, reconnect to your big why, and just do something. You'll be on your way to becoming unstuck and motivated again.