Huge changes started in our family when my husband started doing all the cooking and grocery shopping about three years ago. He needed something to learn and dive into after retirement and cooking was new to him. Once he began, he found it very enjoyable and fulfilling to create something in the kitchen that everyone loved and praised him for. I always tease him that he lives for the praise he gets with every new dish he makes!! 

He enjoyed his new hobby so much that we actually launched a YouTube channel called The Papa’s Kitchen. He inspires others to cook and to try new dishes and does it all with humor that only a ‘papa’ can get away with. Now his followers praise him😂😍

After three years of cooking you would think he’d get tired of it but he is finding ways to keep himself motivated! I know I have to find ways to keep myself motivated to do those daily tasks that never go away or even those tasks that seem intimidating, like writing this blog. 

Jerry is motivated to keep on cooking because he enjoys the chance to be creative in an area that is still so new to him. And everyone who eats what he creates continues to praise him!

Here are four things I do to keep motivated.

FIRST: I Ask myself WHY I do this TASK

There is an answer to the WHY we continue doing daily, mundane tasks even when they are no longer absolutely necessary and your answer may be different than mine. Cooking had become very boring to me and it showed, or shall I say, tasted, like that!! I watch Jerry when he tastes what he cooks. He is totally shocked that the dish he creates actually tastes amazing! That keeps him motivated to keep cooking and creating dish after dish. 

I don’t get that shocked when I look at my made bed, folded laundry, or see my living room all put back together. But I do derive a deep satisfaction and purpose (yes, purpose) in seeing these little tasks completed. I love saying to myself “Well that’s done for today.” That is what keeps me motivated. I feel like I actually accomplish something and that task reflects directly on me because it is my house. That is important to me. There was a season in my life when these tasks weren’t completed as often because I was too busy changing diapers, cooking dinner, or meeting other responsibilities that took priority over getting my bed made. But in this season I have the time. At least most days I do! 

SECOND: I find ways to Challenge myself

Some people set a timer to see how fast they can complete these mundane, daily tasks. That doesn’t motivate me much. Others like making a list and crossing each item off as they complete it. That can be very motivating.  I like to change things around like rearrange the pillows on my bed, change what I have on my side tables in the living room, or move pictures from room to room. I used to move furniture at least once a month but that has become more difficult!! (Although these sliding pads do make it possible when I get a brilliant idea and Jerry isn’t home!!). You can even change the challenges daily to keep your routine alive!

THIRD: I look at my task as something that makes me HAPPY, not something I HAVE TO DO!

This will bring motivation to your daily or monthly challenges more than anything. I always saw cooking as something I had to do. Not Jerry!! Even though there are days he doesn’t particularly want to cook, he will challenge himself to remake some leftovers in the fridge or to take something familiar, even a hot dog, and create something new. We rarely eat the same thing twice!!!

Do I have to make my bed every day? No. My mother doesn’t live with me or remind me to straighten up my room or make my bed. All those years of making sure I did make my bed sure paid off for me though. I guess we really don’t know all the things we teach our kids when they are under our roof.  Thank you, mom!

FOURTH: I have to have faith in myself.

This is a big one for me. You have to believe that you are the best one for the task at hand. I am having to do that with this blog. I started it 11 years ago when I turned 60. In the last 11 years I have gone through some huge transitions and writing about them helped me navigate them. Now I feel like I have come to another season in life. My reasons for blogging really haven’t changed at all, just the season has changed. 

So, this year is the beginning of a fresh new blogging journey. I have learned so much in the last 11 years that I want to share with others. I have also begun some new challenges that are making this season one that is stretching me in new and exciting ways and I want to share more about that also. 

So, EMBRACING LIFE’S SEASONS is still relevant to what I want to write about. This decade of life is one I want to look back on and be proud of all the times I said “YES” to what life is offering to me. Age isn’t meant to be mundane and boring. It is meant to be challenging, fulfilling, and purposeful. Remembering those components is how you will find the motivation to keep doing those mundane things in your daily life. 

So, just to recap four ways to help motivate yourself to keep doing what may have become mundane and routine: 

1. Ask yourself WHY you do it. (Be honest!). 

2. Challenge yourself in different ways. (set a timer,etc)

3. Find Happiness in that task. (You get to do it, not have to do it!).

4. Have faith in yourself (you are the best person for the task)

Embrace today as a gift! Susan