When feeling discouraged, how do you find a way to motivate and inspire yourself?

Do not despair! You are not lost or alone! One of the problems which we face today is that we depend too much on electronic media and messaging and emailing, when we would be better off with such communication means as phone conversations and face to face meetings, which allow for real interpersonal sharing and dialogue. Relying on electronic means is a disjointed means of communication which places us in an isolated state waiting for something to happen. Participating in a two way means of communication allows us to share our goals, strengths, and interests with others and receive the input of others regarding the application of our talents and gifts and studies. During my many years in Human Resources and College Recruiting and Setting Up and Running a program to help laid off workers return to work, I have developed the following tips, which when applied in a two way communication mode, will help you to achieve your goals.

Hi Tyler

I think you have already gotten some good advice for other CV volunteers. Sometimes when I am stuck, it takes a while for me to realize that something else is going on in my life that is the real reason for being stuck. For example, sometimes when I have bills due, I find it hard to concentrate on my artwork, because I'm thinking about money and bills and so on. Once I get my bills squared away, I find I can concentrate on my art better.

You might also want to examine your goals (transferring to another school, getting a scholarship, and putting together a portfolio--that is a lot!) in light of other things going on in your life. Do you have a faculty advisor or other adult with whom you could talk about your concerns? Also, if your school has a health center with a counseling department, you might want to speak to someone. He or she could help you sort out what is going on in your life, and why you can't seem to get inspired or motivated to take the next step. Sometimes what we think is "no big deal" about events in our personal lives, can have a big impact on other aspects of our lives. Just a thought.

Maybe staying and making the best of it at your current school might be the best way to go for now, until you can find a way to get your inspiration and motivation back.

Best wishes!

Hey Tyler,

Once and a while, we all get discouraged. The way how I motivate and inspire myself is by looking at other work that peaks my interest when I was a child. For instance, when I was a child, I always wanted to try my hand towards to animation or character creation. And there is a tons of professions that are relating to graphics towards to animation and illustrations. Whenever I start to feel down and exhausted, I like going to Instagram to pages that shows motion graphics from people around the world. Upon viewing these contents, I feel inspired and said to myself, everyone is trying their best to show their style, I want to do the same.

What you're doing to applying your application to so many programs gives you an understanding how to work with the system slowly. It's tedious but keep at it till you land one, you're in the right mindset. But if you don't get into the school, do not be disappointed, there are many schools for you to attend to. The skills you learn on your own time matters the most.

Write down what you have accomplished and where you want to go. Look into people that are successful in the field that motivates you and see why it took them for success! Who will believe and motivate you better than yourself.

Take a break! Get some fresh air, exercise, clear the cobwebs! Take a walk, without music. Listen to the birds, the kids laughing, etc. Some of those ideas will float around in your subconscious mind. You might even get new ideas this way!

Take a fresh look at the goals you have spelled out for yourself. Are you trying to take on too much, too fast? Try setting mini-goals. Completing them will help give you a sense of accomplishment.

If you are just totally in a funk, try doing something for somebody else. I know when I do things for others, and appreciate how good I really have it compared to others, I feel much better about the entire world picture.

Hope some of this helps! Best of luck!!!