It’s frustrating.
You have goals you’d want to achieve, but you don’t feel motivated. You don’t feel like getting out of bed. And when you do, it’s straight to the couch for some mindless TV.
I’ve been there.
On some days, I feel stuck. I don’t want to create; I don’t want to network; I don’t want to contribute. I just want to sit and scroll through social media all day.
However, doing this leads to me feeling more stuck and unmotivated.
To get out of the loop, I use one of Tony Robbins’ most famous concepts, “motion creates emotion.”
In today’s article, we’ll delve into what Tony Robbins means by emotion is created by motion. You’ll also learn nine proven strategies you can use to get unstuck and prevent you from falling back into the slump.
Here’s what you’ll learn
Let’s get right into it.
What Does Motion Creates Emotion Mean?
I first heard of the phrase “motion creates emotion” while watching a YouTube Video of Tony Robbins. At first, I didn’t understand what this phrase meant or how I could apply it to my life.
I only came to understand what Tony meant after watching him speak at a live event.
According to Tony Robbins, the way you stand, breathe, speak, or move, directly affects your state of being.
If you stand with your shoulders back, chest out, head high, and hands-on your thighs while taking deep breaths, you’re less likely to be stressed and are likely to take more risks and make bold decisions.
However, if you stand with sloppy shoulders, with your head down, and take shallow breaths, you’re more likely to feel stressed and less likely to take risks in decision making.
A classic example of motion creating emotion can be witnessed when walking on the street. A happy and confident person walks in an upright posture, moves quickly, and speaks loudly and with enthusiasm.
However, a depressed person is the opposite. He or she is slow in movement, has a sloppy posture, and speaks softly.
So, now that you know what the phrase motion creates emotions means let’s get into how you can apply it into your life.
9 Strategies to Get You Unstuck
1. Move
One of the easiest ways to create emotion and get yourself motivated is by doing a physical activity.
Take a walk, do push-ups, or run in place for 30 seconds. Moving your body stimulates your brain to produce endorphins, which help to get and keep you motivated.
And that’s not all!
Walking also helps to boost your creativity and productivity.
According to a Stanford University study, the most successful CEOs think most creatively while walking.
Rather than sitting on your desk or couch all day, do some stretches, take a walk, or do a short workout.
You’ll be surprised at how motivated you become after you perform a physical activity.
2. Find an Accountability Partner
The road to success is a lonely and long one. If you decide to walk it alone, chances are you’ll feel less motivated and eventually give up.
However, this shouldn’t be the case.
Rather than trying to achieve success alone, get someone whom you can walk the lonely road with. That someone is an accountability partner.
An accountability partner helps you show up when you need to show up and makes sure you put in all your effort as you work towards achieving your goals.
With an accountability partner, you’re less likely to spend the day in bed or playing video games.
And that’s not all!
An accountability partner also helps you see things from a different perspective, which allows you to discover new ways to achieve your goals.
3. Put on a Soundtrack
What happens to your mood when your favorite song comes on the radio? Even if you were bored, you immediately lighten up and start singing or dancing, right?
It’s because music has a way of improving your mood.
And don’t take my word for it.
Studies reveal that music plays a significant role in influencing our mindset and behavior. Upbeat and inspirational music is likely to be more motivating than slow music.
So whenever you feel stuck and unmotivated, switch to a more upbeat playlist. By doing so, you’re more likely to feel motivated and start moving.
Dancing to music also forces your body to move, which creates emotion.
4. Go on a Trip
Changing your surroundings can have a significant impact on your performance and motivation.
Which is why taking a trip away from home could be what you need to regain your motivation. Taking a fun trip even for a day helps you to relax and recharge.
These trips also provide you with an opportunity to reflect on your goals and come up with new ideas on how to progress forward.
If you’re stuck in a creative project, taking a trip out of town may just give you the inspiration you need to complete the project.
5. Organize and Declutter your Environment
Look around you. What does your environment look like?
Is it messy, dark, dusty, and clustered? Are your storage drawers overflowing with unorganized items?
If yes, this could be why you’re feeling stuck.
An unorganized home or office is more likely to make you feel stuck and unmotivated. Part of this is because you require more energy to perform basic tasks. In an unclean environment, you’re more likely to spend time looking for certain items than a more organized one.
Organizing your environment can also include moving your furniture around. Rearranging your furniture tricks your brain to think it’s in a new environment, which in turn results in increased motivation.
In true meaning to the phrase motion creates emotion, organizing your home forces you to move your body, which leads to an uptake in your overall motivation and mood.
6. Step Back
One of the most common problems I’ve noticed with my coaching clients is that they keep taking the same approach despite repeated failures. Rather than stepping back to see the big picture, they push and try harder to use methods that don’t seem to produce results.
And the result!
They end up feeling stuck.
To avoid such a situation, it’s best to step back and look at things from a fresh perspective.
As Einstein once said, “No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.”
Stepping back allows you to look at your problem from an outsider’s perspective, which in turn forces your brain to come up with new solutions; therefore, allowing you to regain your motivation.
7. Reconnect to your Intrinsic Motivation
The reason you’re feeling stuck could be because you’ve forgotten the reason why you’re working so hard. You’ve forgotten your WHY.
In the book, the Compound Effect, Darren Hardy, argues that lack of motivation isn’t the reason why most people give up on their goals. It’s the lack of a strong WHY that leads to people giving up.
If you’re feeling stuck, take time to remind yourself of your original intention and overall goal.
Reconnecting to your intrinsic motivation will give you the extra fuel you need to keep working on your goals despite setbacks and roadblocks.
8. Change your Diet
Do you at times feel devoid of the energy to do anything?
It could be your diet.
If you eat unhealthy foods, you’re more likely to feel tired and bloated. You’re less likely to get the motivation to work on your goals after binging on junk food.
However, healthy foods have the opposite effect.
When you eat healthily, you’re more likely to have higher energy levels, be more alert, and are more likely to remain motivated throughout the day.
9. Read an Inspirational Book
This is one of my most favorite ways of regaining motivation. Whenever I feel stuck, I look for an inspirational book to read.
Reading inspirational books allows you to reshape your mindset from one of negativity to a more positive one.
Reading inspirational books also allows you to learn new approaches you can use to achieve your goals. Books also help you learn what other individuals did to regain their motivation after falling into a slump.
Other than reading, you can decide to try a new hobby or learn a new skill.
Bonus: When All Else Fails Seek Help
Some people find it challenging to seek help.
To these individuals seeking help is a sign of weakness. They’d rather struggle with their problems than admit to failing.
If you’re such an individual, this could be the reason why you’re stuck.
Asking for help could be the step you need to unstick yourself.
And help could be anyone. It could be a friend who understands what you’re going through, a life coach who’ll help you see things from a different perspective or a therapist to help you work through mental blocks.
On your own, you may feel overwhelmed and hopeless. However, seeking help could help you change your trajectory and regain motivation.
It’s Time You Unstuck Yourself
There you go.
Nine strategies you can use to get yourself unstuck and motivated.
Which of these strategies do you think will work best for you and your current situation.
You don’t have to use all of them; even applying one into your life will have a drastic impact on your performance.
Remember, motion creates emotion, which will help you get unstuck. So just start.
Do you know of any other strategies to get unstuck? Tell us in the comments below. If you have any questions, please leave them in the comment section.
I’ll try my best to answer as many questions as I can.
Related Content
