Finding Motivation When You Lack Direction
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What’s Been Keeping Me from Moving Forward?
Simple Answer: Motivation—or the lack of it.
When I first started my coursework in metaphysical science, I never imagined it would take me over 16 months to complete. In the beginning, I thought, “This is going to be easy. I’ll breeze through it and move on to the next thing.” Boy, was I wrong. As I dove deeper into the topics, I quickly realized that this wasn’t going to be a walk in the park. Some lessons hit harder than others, and as the months wore on, I found myself questioning everything: Why had it taken me so long? And what did I really want out of all this?
There were times when I simply lost motivation. The pull to finish my assignments faded, and instead of pushing through, I found myself stuck. Some of it was laziness, but there was more to it. Something deeper, something I couldn’t quite put my finger on. Why couldn’t I finish what I had started?
Was it the coursework?
Sure, some topics didn’t interest me as much as others. But I knew they were important—each lesson built on the last. Without mastering one chapter, I couldn’t move on to the next. Yet, some subjects felt dry and uninspiring, and after a while, I felt disconnected. So, I set my studies aside and took a break. I found other distractions—crazy adventures and new projects—but in the end, they all led to the same place: boredom.
Was it spiritual?
Absolutely. Some of the lessons were intense, requiring me to dig deep into my soul. It wasn’t just about memorizing concepts or passing tests; this was about inner transformation. And sometimes, I couldn’t move forward until I had truly absorbed the lesson. I realized that the true purpose of this coursework wasn’t to earn a degree for career advancement (although you can use it to do that). It was about self-discovery, spiritual growth, and becoming the best version of myself.
When I began the course, I thought it was a quick path to becoming a minister, something to boost my business. But as I worked through the material, my perspective shifted. By the end of it all, I found that my motivation for wanting the title of “minister” had faded. Instead, what replaced it was a deeper sense of purpose—a desire to build a life full of success, happiness, and true fulfillment. I no longer wanted to be “better than anyone else”; I realized that we are all connected, all of us emanating from the same God-Source.
What else was keeping me stuck?
Well, if I’m being honest, there were a few other things at play.
- Lack of clearly defined goals: Without a clear roadmap, it’s hard to stay motivated.
- Financial struggles: Not having the funds to support my business put up a major roadblock.
- Technology issues: SEO errors and technical difficulties were beyond my control.
- Lack of knowledge: I didn’t have all the tools I needed to move forward confidently.
- Impatience: I wanted everything to happen now, and that’s just not how life works.
- Depression: Life itself brought challenges that affected my mental and emotional well-being. My spiritual journey took unexpected twists, and I had to navigate through them.
The struggle with motivation
If I’m being honest, motivation can be hard to find. Especially when setbacks make everything feel disheartening. I’ve had moments when I just didn’t want to move forward. But through it all, I’ve learned one thing: Motivation starts from within. We are the creators of our own energy. We speak, think, and feel our desires into existence.
Belief is the key.
If you believe in your dreams, in the possibility of success, you’ll find the motivation to pursue them. If you don’t believe it’s possible, you’ll never take that first step. And that’s the heart of motivation.
The Importance of Goal Setting
This brings me to another key lesson: Setting goals. Without goals, there’s no direction. No purpose. I always tell my life coaching clients that goal setting is the first step toward success. You don’t have to write it all down, but you have to be resolute in your mind that your goals are attainable.
For me, I’ve used the SMART method to clarify my goals. It's a simple, but powerful framework:
- Specific: What exactly do I want to achieve? (Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How)
- Measurable: How will I track progress?
- Achievable: Is this goal realistic? Can I actually do this?
- Relevant: Does this goal align with my overall purpose?
- Time-bound: When do I want to achieve this?
While goal setting is vital, there’s one piece of the motivation puzzle that’s often overlooked: Wellness.
Wellness and Motivation
You can set all the goals in the world, but if your wellness isn’t in alignment, your motivation will falter. Wellness is more than just physical health or mental clarity; it’s a holistic approach. There are seven areas of wellness that play a crucial role in our ability to stay motivated:
- Physical: Are you in good health? Are you eating well and exercising?
- Emotional/Mental: How do you feel about your goals? Are you mentally prepared to face challenges?
- Intellectual: Are you inspired by your goals? Do they ignite curiosity and passion?
- Social: How do your goals impact your relationships and community?
- Spiritual: Do your goals align with your beliefs and values?
- Environmental: Does your physical space support your goals?
- Occupational: Are your goals connected to your career or sense of purpose?
If any of these areas are out of balance, it can be hard to stay motivated. Your goals need to align with all seven areas for them to be truly achievable.
Goals Can Change
As I’ve learned throughout my journey, goals are not set in stone. They evolve. My goals around becoming a minister shifted, and with them, my values changed. I realized that my dream still holds true, but the goals needed to evolve to match my new reality.
I can’t help but reflect on this: Motivation isn’t static. It’s a dynamic force that changes as you change.
So, what’s the takeaway?
If you’re feeling stuck or uninspired, make a plan. Create goals that align with who you are now, not who you were yesterday. Create goals that inspire you, challenge you, and push you toward growth. And remember, your wellness needs to support those goals for true motivation to take root.
I’m finding my way again, step by step, with new goals that align with the lessons I’ve learned. My journey continues, and I can’t wait to see where it takes me next.
Love and Light,
Athena Rocar
Want a little help getting started with your own goals?
And if you’d like support in working through your goals, I offer life coaching services to help you gain clarity, stay motivated, and move forward with confidence.
You can find my contact info on my Facebook page, feel free to reach out and start the conversation.
Set your intentions with clarity and let your journey begin.
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