Self-motivation

1.

Looking into self-discipline as a starting point, came across the philosophy of Stoicism/Marcus Aurelius. Principals of self-discipline and what are the barriers to self-motivation. Related to outside forces, perceived criticisms, things that are outside our control. Not surprised to see that it relates to what you feel you are good at and what you enjoy. What do you feel you can add as value to the world? Taking small steps on the way to achieving your goal, or your purpose.

Coming back from New Zealand after a fabulous 5 weeks – a chance to roam, bond, learn, re-connect, get out into the beautiful landscape, breathe fresh air. Took so much pleasure from being able to share this with my daughter. How happy it makes me that she is now a source of wisdom and support, a lovely person to spend time with, someone who boosts my confidence like no other, and who is kind and thoughtful.

Also so happy that she is surrounded by people who love and support her, and offer helpful insight and interesting perspectives. Hearing how she seeks out experiences and thoughtfully approaches her needs and those of people around her is a pleasure and a lesson to me.

Coming back to work – head down, finding I’m lacking in motivation, almost bored. Never felt like this with my current work, always enjoyed the challenges and variety. So – how to change things? What needs changing?
Also reflecting on how those in other worlds manage – artists in particular. Came across many people in NZ who seem to be following their passions. While my work and home life and activities seem so separate.

Thinking of how self-discipline seems to be at odds with creativity. How it seems unemotional, boring – routines! But how I feel when I have no self-discipline – relating to self-worth, lack of achievement. Also thinking about how this might relate to retirement from work. Understanding that having no focus is not helpful to mental health? What am I interested in? What is my “purpose”?

Then, looking at 2 things that have helped – clinical supervision and some CPD by colleagues who fed-back about their research. Inspiring to see people so motivated to learn and develop. How to be more like them!
Clinical supervision sheet – reflect on my perception of what are my strengths, what I can bring to work – and my life outside work? Why do I separate work and the rest of my week? What do I like about my work?

2.

Recipe

Have used this recipe at least 3 times in the last month. Really liking the way the writer, Felicity Cloake, looks at recipes to try to develop the best version from the ideas of others. Not tried any of the other recipes she cites in developing this one, so perhaps that should be my next step.

3.

Autism/ communication

Have been connected to this in different ways in the last month, through work - speaking to an adult patient recently diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome; through a friend whose nephew was diagnosed with this as a young child and who is now facing challenges having transferred to a mainstream school; and through listening to the radio and hearing a chat with Henry Normal, poet, writer, and TV producer.

Henry Normal - Quintessence

It was part of my studies when training, but we have an inadequate mechanism of support for adults who are diagnosed with it.

As a developmental condition, it would not usually come under the auspices of acquired neurological conditions for which we are funded, and therefore we get very few referrals. So, how to help patients who are struggling with this in later life? I plan to look into this again and develop my work practice.

4.

And finally

I’ve come at this with some amount of reluctance – the feeling that the ideas are facile, unoriginal, not well thought through. But, since part of my reflection this month (if not all the time) has been about self-motivation, I’m glad I’ve followed it through and placed myself in this position of vulnerability. It’s helped me to organise my thoughts and give myself some steps to work towards.