How to motivate yourself?

[KatGurumi]

I have a baby blanket I've been working on for months, but it keeps getting pushed to the back of the queue. Now, I am running out of time, only a week left before the shower!

How do you motivate yourself on projects you're bored of or not that excited about?

[hooknsaw]

I throw a movie on or loud music, when I am doing the lengths on my scarves. I love doing the picture ends, but it seems to take me forever to get the middle part done.

[Former_Member]

It helps me to allot a certain amount of time to the task, then take a break for a certain amount of time, then get back to the task. When I was a student, I studied in 45-minute time slots, then did housework for 15 minutes. I got both things that I didn't want to do done that way!
:)

[KatGurumi]

Thanks, those are both really good suggestions! I think I will utilize them both :)

[ThePamperedGoddess]

I agree with Athena, except that after 45 minutes of work, I'd reward myself with something better than housework - maybe ice cream!

[Former_Member]

I can't stay motivated at all. I have been so stressed out about my shop that I can't stay seated for to long at my sewing machine. There are some great tips already.

[Former_Member]

I love watching long movies and TV serieses so I will break out a stack of DVDs and settle in for a long afternoon. I'll also have my iPod on hand so when I need a break, I'll get up and dance. Got caught many times, much to my embarrassment (hahaha!!) but it helps.

I also like to have finished products sitting out, they look amazing grouped together so I like being able to add to the group and it makes me feel better to see how much I accomplished..

[PAPERFLORISTS]

Haha Kathleen, I have been known to take dance breaks, too. It relieves the stress and gets the blood flowing. AND-I do the same if I am making a big order of centerpieces. I clear off the buffet and larrange the finished ones for encouragement.
Maybe we are related.
Only advice I can give is to take little breaks or bribe yourself. Like, if I work on this for an hour, I can have a cookie or whatever.
Good luck with your blanket!

[Former_Member]

I usually come home from work, relax for a few minutes, change into my grubby clothes and head out to the garage. Once I get all the saws and drills plugged in I get my motivation to start creating and making. But, sometimes when I first sit down to relax after a long work day, it gets tough to get off the couch.

If I don't have any orders to make, I sometimes skip the garage and hang out with the kids.

I am great at procrastinating as I have a craft show coming up this weekend and have been putting that off forever. I ended up making a ton of things last night and will make more tonight. Maybe stress helps! :)

[Former_Member]

Putting music on can help...and keeping warm and comfy whilst working! :)

But, as someone who has had more projects dropped and left for ages along the way (because they got pushed to the back burner or I lost interest!!!) the best thing I can say is just be tough and MAKE yourself do it.

It's always worth it - the satisfaction of seeing that finished project (finally!) is even greater when you get to tick an annoying item off your someday-never-maybe-I'll-get-that-done-I-really-really-should list! :-D

[Former_Member]

If I am really bored of a project, I normally take a long break from it. Until finally I kick myself into doing it, my motivation? As soon as it is done I don't have to do it anymore lmao

[Former_Member]

I find debt and three teenaged daughters to be a great motivator!

[Former_Member]

Yes, I throw a movie in too and just get the work done. It sounds like you like what you are doing you just need to finish and thats normal. sometimes just getting done to see the finished product is the best way:)

[Former_Member]

My scroll saw makes way too much noise for a movie :/

[KatGurumi]

Coming back after an hour and a half of working on the blanket to all these nice motivational tips was definitely a help :)