15 minutes to a second wind!
 

When I really want to sew after a long busy day and I'm bone tired -- I try to catch a second wind. What works for me is telling myself - just do SOMETHING for 15 minutes - sweep the floor, do the dishes, throw some laundry in lol something!! Before I know it I'm in my sewing room stitching away! Better than laying on the couch!!

What works for you?

I agree with you. If I let the couch suck me in, I'm finished. If I get up and move a bit, I'm good to go.

I have an aversion to starting anything. I have to force myself to start. Most times, once I start, I am good for the long haul.
Sometimes, when I want to do something & I am procrastinating, (probably 'glued' to the computer) I tell myself that I'll just do it for 5 minutes. Over 90% of the time, I will get in the groove & continue with the project.
It works for me.
Now...I must go move the dust around for 5 minutes!

Ranger, that is too funny--move the dust around. That's me. I think we must be clones because I too have trouble getting started. Since I retired, I find myself thinking that there is always tomorrow. Bad habit to get into.
Sue

I drink a cup of coffee. That will give me a jumpstart and I can get busy on something. I also like to leave something started on my cutting table. That way I can just run in and pick up where I left off to sew a few stitches. Before I know it, I have a block sewn together. Like right now, I have a block all laid out with half square triangles sewn. All I have to do is sew the 9-patches together and the block is done. I'm doing laundry, so I run in and sew a little in between loads of laundry. The block will soon be done, and I can start another. This is my year for getting UFO's finished. The project I am working on is last year's BOM. I only finished 1 block last year. Last week I finished 7 of them. Last year I was unorganized. I hope to have the blocks all finished sometime next week. You can do it! Just spend a little time getting something organized so you can run in for short periods when you are tired. You will become energized when you get started. Good luck to you!

Love all of your responses!! I'm feeling re-energized!!

Fortunately we're retired so we set out the quilting project the night before -get up -have breakfast - and start quilting. No more waiting for the weekend.

Sue, I'm the same as you! Retired, and thinking, "there's always tomorrow". Tomorrow never comes........LOL!

I'm retired too. What gets and keeps me motivated is a "to do" list. I keep in on my blog and since I hate to have the same things on it everyday it keeps me working. I don't have to do much, but I do have to make progress.

The best energizer I have is keeping my infant grandson during the day! No more do it later, it has to be done now. It's amazing how much sewing I can do during nap time.

I've found lots of things that didn't work ..... thanks for these suggestions. I am in a slump that is lasting far too long.

refresh the iced tea glass

I'm good as long as I keep moving. Don't need the 'second wind' so to speak...just keep moving. Once I park myself, I'm done.

My biggest problem is getting off this board to get started in the morning!

I take the dogs out and hang with them for a few. Rotate the laundry or grab a glass of ice water.

Several years ago I worked close to home and had a sewing room all set up. I would have my breakfast, bring the tea into my sewing room and work on projects for 15-30 minutes depending on when I got up and do the same when I got home. I was amazed at what I accomplished in those short periods of time - they add up quickly.

Are you saying you tell yourself to CLEAN and then instead you SEW? Haha - funny!

But I agree with the 15 minutes attack on anything I don't want to do (cleaning especially)....I set the timer and HURRY! Even the cat is tired when I'm done running back and forth.

Deadlines make me continue on even when I'm tired.

IF I don't feel like doing anything at all, I try to tidy up my sewing areas. It's kinda like playing!

Getting off the computer is a big help...did you see the commercial for the tablets with timers on them? Parents can program how much game time, movie time and tv time a child gets. When time is up, the tablet shuts off. Is there a computer app for that? Hahaha!

Eating something sweet motivates me too :D

Nan

I'm with you Shadoirish, this board is addictive!

Is there a way to lock my computer and set a timer for it to unlock in the evening. I log on while having breakfast and that takes care of my day. I'M ADDICTED I need a lock or a 12 step program. LOL

Dingle

Lots of things get me motivated, but one that does NOT is saying I'll sit down at look at the Quilting Board for a few minutes.....HA, .....few minutes my patootie!!!

Lots of things get me motivated, but one that does NOT is saying I'll sit down at look at the Quilting Board for a few minutes.....HA, .....few minutes my patootie!!!

I agree about this wonderful board. I'm addicted too! I check it about 10 times a day! Love this place and all the wonderful generous and kind quilters here!

Since I've retired I haven't needed to rejuvenate - now I keep a list in my journal - what I accomplished this week and what I didn't get worked on (all sewing related) I belong to a couple of groups so when I get a project from a group I go home and do it so it doesn't get put off and put off. Once my projects for those groups are done I'm free to sew on what I want! With this process I usually complete at least one project a week.

I do hit the sofa, but I set the kitchen timer for 15 minutes. Of course, I am groggy and could stay there forever, but I make myself get up and go. The brief rest reenergizes me.

Carolynjo I agree with you. I just lay down for 15 -20 minutes and I get up refreshed and ready to work.

When I was young I never understood why any one would like to take a nap. Now that I am older I do not understand why someone wouldn't want to.

A LONG time ago, someone said to leave an unfinished seam in the sewing machine. That way, you don't have to sit there and figure out what to do - just step on the gas and go. I find that i'm more motivated to get off the black sucking hole that we call the computer when I know how easy it is to get started once I'm actually IN my cave.

Awesome idea Joanne, I'm going to use this one! Thank you!

You are absolutely correct, being retired I always seem to say "there is always tomorrow". Very bad habit! Even the evening prior I tell myself "TOMORROW MORNING" get going and finish that quilt! I can't count how many mornings I find wash to do, dusting, picking up, bed's to change and numerous other distractions. For some odd reason I can't sew unless my house is cleaned up. What about you guys, does anyone have that problem?

Hahaha! I know what you mean!!

I love lists! ;) However, my OCD kicks in and I have to make a "perfect" list. (Not really, but sometimes I wonder if I think someone is going to scrutinize my list. Sick, I know. :D).

But, instead of getting motivated to get back to a project, I have to set a timer so I'll stop sewing and get to the laundry, cooking, or other housework that I choose to ignore while in my sewing room.

Great suggestions - and I'm here to say THEY WORK! I was feeling a bit tired after a busy mother's day (and wanted to watch the end of Survivor), so instead of just sitting/laying on the couch, I set up my machine on a table so I could also see the TV and was able to chain stitch and watch/listen to Survivor at the same time. It's hard for me to "think" and watch TV at the same time, but just stitching was fine - and I was able to get alot accomplished in those 2-3 hours!

The couch usually means a hand stitch project for me like crochete knitting or counted cross stitch so I'm still doing something.