Lift

Let’s invest. A friend of mine was discouraged by recent world events, and asked me:

How do I stop feeling unmotivated?

My friend is in the prime of their life. They have more future than past. And yet, their friends and peers often tell me they lack energy and motivation. Feeling powerless and overwhelmed, they say:

I don’t give a shit.

My reply is quick:

When you don’t give a shit, give a LIFT. To stop feeling like shit, SHIFT.

I knew my friend was spending most of their time and energy escaping into a digital world. According to Nielsen Media Research:

The average person spends roughly 2 hours and 27 minutes per day on social media. In the US, average screen time per day hit 7 hours and 3 minutes. 

Choosing my next words more carefully, I pressed:

In the 2 hours and 27 minutes you spend scrolling the internet, are you learning anything?

My friend answered:

Not really.

My friend was spending time instead of investing time. They never learned what it truly means to invest. 

INVEST means to devote one’s time, effort and energy to a particular undertaking – with the expectation of a worthwhile result. 

They thought only their money could be invested. They never thought of their time, effort and energy as an investment. 

A time and energy investment requires an expectation of a worthwhile result. Without a reason or a vision for a better future, there is no motivation to invest. It’s simple math. My friend’s lack of motivation is a lack of investment in their future. 

Lack of motivation is lack of vision. To find instant motivation, we must first stop seeking instant gratification. Investments require an understanding that the payoff comes later. 

My friend decided to SHIFT from the screen time to seen time. They are showing up instead of hiding out. Instead of feeling defeated by the problems of the world, they are starting to invest their time and energy toward solutions.

Give a LIFT

When I am feeling powerless and discouraged by world events, a LIFT helps me shift.

Last week, I had a bad day. Two of our big clients lost work because of tariffs. Their loss was our loss. In the middle of my pity party, a person I met only once called to ask for my help. They desperately needed something I had the power to give.

They kept apologizing for asking for my help. They didn’t understand I needed them more than they needed me. Instead of spending any more time and energy feeling powerless, I could use my power to help in a meaningful way. They reminded me that despite setbacks, I still have a sphere of influence. 

I may not have the power to change the overwhelming problems of the world, but I can choose to invest my time and energy in the people and projects within my sphere of influence.

I chose to help, and I am still smiling. There is something instantly motivating about helping someone in the moment they need it the most. It’s always a smart investment with a worthwhile result when I give a LIFT.

Let’s invest our time and energy wisely. When I am feeling powerless and discouraged by world events, a LIFT helps me shift.