Motivation, where does it come from and how do you get more of it? ep85

Looking for ways to stay motivated and make progress every day?

We all need a little boost of motivation from time to time, and in this episode, Sue provides some tips and strategies to help you stay inspired and driven. 

So where does motivation come from and how can you harness it when you need it?

Listening to inspiring podcasts and watching films by your favourite filmmakers to surrounding yourself with supportive people and learning new skills, there are ways to keep that fire burning within you.

So where does motivation come from and how can you harness it when you need it? Sue is sharing her insights and how she's stayed motivated over the past 20 years in her filmmaking journey.

📩 Want to stay up to date with the latest? Head to www.thedocumentaryfilmmaker.com to join our weekly newsletter and get all resources to make you the best impact filmmaker in the business. 

Find & Follow The Documentary Filmmaker on social:
Website: www.thedocumentaryfilmmaker.com
Facebook:
Instagram: @TheDocumentaryFilmmakerPodcast
LinkedIn: Sue Collins [Host] || The Documentary Filmmaker [ Company Page]

Transcript

Copy Transcript Copied

SPEAKER_01 0:00

Hello, I am just back from a filming trip in Sydney and it went really, really well. It was a great week filled with fantastic interviews and we're making a film that we feel really positive about on skin cancer prevention and we got to stay in the very beautiful area of Tamarama. If you ever go to Sydney, highly recommend it. Incredibly beautiful sort of clifftop walks and things. But I've got to say, I am fried. And I don't mean sunburnt, I mean I am really tired. I am really feeling it this Monday morning when I'm recording this podcast for you. So I wanted to talk to you a bit about where to get the motivation to get up and get into it for the week. Because it's a really good question. And when it comes to talking about motivation, you don't start motivated, you become motivated. And that's what I meant by where will I find the motivation to get up and go this week? I am going to have to find it because let's face it, most days you don't just wake up with instant motivation. I mean, I think we all dream of that, you know, that amazing fantasy of waking up, bursting with energy, desperate to start the day and get it all done. And I don't know about you, but my mornings usually do not start that way. I am I'm a morning person, but you know, I don't have my morning routine ritual that's all the trend at the moment. I'm I'm more of a step out of bed, make a coffee, and ease my way in. But this morning it was a lot more like dragging myself out from necessity and definitely not from passion. So how does motivation work? Well, it kicks in when you begin, and it's in the doing that you become more motivated. You have to spark the motivation. And once you're up and running, you tick off a few things on your list, you have a bit of success, and it's those wins that build the motivation. But the roadblocks, problems that arise, setbacks, and other issues that can derail you, it's hard to stay motivated. And when you feel like you're not getting ahead and you're just treading water, that's where you need a little bit of help. Welcome to the Moonshine Moonshot Podcast. I'm your host, Sue Collins. And if you've landed here, it means you're wanting to find out more about how to make filmmaking a sustainable career. And you're also curious about how to make meaningful work that fills your cup. You're ready to learn how to make movies that matter, build a sustainable career, and have a positive impact on your audiences. So you are in the right place. Filmmaking has so many parts, and I'm sharing what I've learned over the past 15 years producing impact films that reach their intended audience and support real-world change. So let's get started. It's about more than just motivation. You have to be driven by something deeper, your deeper why. For example, why do you want to be a filmmaker? You've really got to get clear on that. And a reason for filmmaking that could be something like, you know, filmmaking's fun, and I like the work and I like the people you meet, and it appeals to my creative sensibilities. Sure, that may be true, and that's all well and good, but that reason is not going to keep you going when you hit the inevitable roadblocks and setbacks. It's just not a reason that's going to really drive you to persist. And let's face it, so much of being successful in creative work is due to drive, persistence, and tenacity. So let's break it down a bit more. Why do you want to be a filmmaker? So don't be fooled by the simplicity of this question or feel pressured that you should have the answered deep meaning rolling off the tip of your tongue without much thought. It's not unusual to find yourself drawn to something like filmmaking without really knowing why. You just kind of know it's what you want. But you do need to go a little bit deeper if you want to help stay motivated and really keep yourself driving forward to have that long, sustainable career. Here's a simple way you can drill down on this to help you really get a better handle on your underlying reason and better define your why. And you can use this little process for just about anything that you are into, not just for career purposes, you know, it could be for anything that you want to achieve in your life. You can drill down on this and figure it out, and it's going to help stay on track. Okay, so what's your current goal? Think about something that you're currently trying to pursue. Is it to make a documentary? Is it to produce a feature film? Or perhaps to write a feature film script? So let's take that example of to make a documentary, because this is one that I am very familiar with. And here's a hypothetical version of how this exercise might play out. First, why do you want to make a documentary? It's because you have a story in mind that you think will make a really strong and engaging narrative. But why do you want to share this story? Because the information could help a lot of people and it could help them better understand the issue. But why do you want to help people understand the issue? Well, because it's an issue that's important to me and should be important to others. And once they see this documentary, they'll better understand it and they'll be inspired to join a movement. And why does joining a movement matter? Well, because if people are engaged and they support the movement, there's strength in numbers and it could really help to make a positive difference on the issue. But why else would you tell this story? Well, because it'll stretch my filmmaking skills and it'll help me develop as a creative and provide me with a credit that's gonna really help me produce more projects beyond this one. So, you know, it's gonna help me build a sustainable career. But why else? Well, if I can get this film funded and produce it, it'll give me the confidence that I can make other projects come to fruition and build my reputation as a filmmaker, which gives me credibility and will help me build a sustainable career. Well, why else? Confidence. It will give me the confidence that I can achieve the things that I set out to achieve. So by producing this film, you'll strengthen your filmmaking skills and reputation as well as support a mission that is close to your heart and could make a positive social change in the lives of others. And so on and so on. And you keep just drilling down and drilling down until you get to that driving agenda that will fuel your motivation and get you up and going to do it every single day. So, what I've just broken down here, it's a pretty powerful motivator. By identifying that your work has the power to help others, that will also give you a sense of obligation. And that in itself is a very powerful motivator. So you can see that this is a really powerful exercise. You take your key goal and you just keep saying, why? Why to this? Why to the next thing? Why to the next thing? And just unpeeling it layer by layer until you get to that really deep, meaningful reason for why you want to pursue it. And then you're gonna need a reminder every day. So put that goal in, you know, in notes in your phone and set a reminder to look at it every morning. Write it on a board that's near your desk or stick it up somewhere that you'll see it all the time. Maybe you could have a code word that helps you remember and connect to it all the time. And now when you hit those roadblocks, or you get rejected for funding, or a deal falls through, or a key cast member pulls out, or one of the many, many things that can happen on the filmmaking journey comes to fruition, you'll have your why firmly in your mind, and that will help to keep you motivated. Or when you're really stressed out or busy and go into overdrive or om overwhelm, and/or you're panicking, or you're in a funk, returning to why may help you to just pull yourself out of it, or at the least, it'll just help you to keep going and stay on focused and stay on track. Stay on focused, not really a word, but stay focused and stay on track. And honestly, as I said, I am feeling really tired today after the shooting trip last week, and somewhat overwhelmed by the very large number of inbox in mail I have. And by getting back to my why, my obligation to the projects that I'm working on, the participants and the finance partners, my team, and also my own children and the commitments I have to them. That's what's keeping me on track today. And also my commitment to you as a listener of this podcast to show up and share meaningful content that will help you on your journey. And that what that's that really is what has me in my seat today recording this for you. Oh, I was just looking for a place where I could learn everything I need to know to make an amazing film that changes the world. It's such a shame that that place doesn't exist. Oh what? Hang on. It does. Oh, if you're looking for inspiration, ideas, tools, and ways to learn how to make movies that matter, head to Moonshine Communications Academy over at Instagram and all your problems will be solved.

SPEAKER_00 10:08

Warning, results may vary depending on the questions, and success is not guaranteed. Always read the label Magic is Anecdotal and the Genie is not included.

SPEAKER_01 10:14

I've got a question. Have you read Big Magic by the author Elizabeth Gilbert? Because if you haven't, it is an amazingly good read. And she has this tip in the book that she um refers to, and it comes to mind for me when we're talking about feeling deflated and up against it. And as an author, she sends out hundreds of manuscripts to try and attach a publisher. And with that is the stream of rejection letters. And her process to deal with it is that every time she gets a rejection letter, she sends out two more submissions. And I absolutely love that. It just, I read that about six or seven years ago, and I've really held true to that. And I made a rejection by creating two new opportunities. So, for example, if I get rejected on a funding proposal, I send out two more opportunities to create two new funding opportunities. And, you know, it's really true with pitching. You miss one, you just got to line up the next. It also stops me from getting distracted. Um, and by focusing on sending out a new opportunity, I'm just staying on track rather than reaching for some other new shiny thing or putting the project on hold and moving on to something else because I don't feel like I'm winning. I'll just pick a different thing. So this really helps me stay driven and motivated. And there are plenty of other things that you can do if you don't want to do this exercise. You know, you might, for example, be interested in episode 71 of this Moonshine Moonshot podcast that's called Why Is It So Hard to Get Your Dream Project Started and How to Get It Into Action. And you can find that over on whichever podcast platform you are listening on. So you can tell I'm tired. I can't get my words out properly today. Some other ways that you can stay motivated. Here's a quick list, and I think this list is really helpful. Even just doing things like listening to inspiring podcasts. You can get inspiration from other people. You could watch films by filmmakers that you admire or that you aspire to be like. Try to be around people who support you and lift you up. Learn a new skill. Do not underestimate the power of learning a new skill when it comes to getting you motivated. Talk to your peers who have similar goals, but please just don't join their pity party or invite them to a pity party of your own. Be a source of strength for them as well and lift them the way you need them to lift you. And together you'll get yourself onto that next step. Eat well and exercise, you know, it's an oldie, but a very true and a goodie. Find yourself a mentor. Do one thing that will progress your project every single day, whether that's sending an email, writing a few pages, reviewing rushes, or thinking through the scenes that those rushes will be part of, or taking the next step on your plan. I do not underestimate the power of doing one thing every single day to progress your project. So I hope some of these suggestions help. And I'm gonna leave you with the inspirational words of the lovely Marie Folio. Losers wait for motivation, and winners just get shit done. I have that posted on my desk and I find it motivational. I also have salt and pepper push it real good pumping in the background as I drafted this episode. And that's a pretty fun song to help you get going when the going gets tough. So play music that gets you inspired, you know. Perhaps I should start my own Spotify playlist as well of um songs that help me stay on track and um you could add to it. Anyway, for anyone who listened to this that hates the idea of goal setting, I see you, I hear you. And I wasn't trying to trick you into suggesting a strategy by disguising goal setting as motivation. But if you found what I've been sharing useful, then guess what? This is all part of goal setting. So you just might find it useful after all. Anyway, I hope you have a really great week and I will be back next week. And do not forget, send me your questions or DM me over at Moonshine Communications Academy and let me know what you want to learn more about so I can tailor some podcasts to help you on your journey. Alright, speak soon. Thank you for joining me today and every week here on the Moonshine Moonshot Podcast. If you're wanting a deeper dive into the topics being discussed on the show, then I would encourage you to head over to Moonshine CommunicationsAcademy.com and sign up for the weekly drop of moonshine via your email. Being on our newsletter community means we can support your filmmaking journey in a more tailored way as well as keeping you up to date with the resources we share on how to make movies that matter and so much more that we deliver inside your inbox every single week. So head over to Moonshine CommunicationsAcademy.com and at the bottom of the homepage you'll see a little box to add your email address and as a thank you for signing up, we'll also send you a bonus ebook to support your messaging. So voila, you'll be on the way to receive all the best content weekly.