Motivation: 7 Ways
Isn't a lack of daily motivation one of the biggest problems we
face when trying to better ourselves? We often know what to do,
or at least the first few steps. But we hesitate, something else
catches our attention, or we just don't feel like doing what we
need to do.
Want some help? Here are seven ways to get motivated - ways that
have worked for others. If you find only one or two here that
work for you, you'll be on your way.
Seven Methods For Daily Motivation
1. Create desire. See the rewards of your effort clearly. This
motivates many to sign up for get-rich-quick plans. A good
salesman can have you living in your imagined dream home in
minutes, and you'll feel motivated to do anything to make it
real. Learn to be your own salesman.
2. Create pain. In Neuro-Linguistic Programming they teach you
to link pain with not acting. An imaginary scene of your wife
walking out the door with another man, as you sit there silently
- that might motivate you to have that talk you've been
avoiding.
3. Talk about your plans. By the time I tell my wife about the
newsletter I'm going to write, I'm out of my slump and back at
the keyboard.
4. Have a true interest. No interest at all might mean you need
to do something else, but if it's just a task you dislike,
relate it clearly in your mind to the greater goal. I don't like
to drive, but when I remember those mountains I'm going to, I
get motivated to drive.
5. Have energy. Caffeine will substitute for health for a
while, but one way or another, you need some energy to have
daily motivation. Exercise, sleep well, and watch out for sugary
foods - the "sugar blues" will kill your motivation.
6. Create the proper mental state. It's hard to be depressed
and motivated. Resolve some of your negative feelings, or at
least do your important work when you are in a better mood.
7. Take a small step. Commit to raking up one bag of leaves,
and soon you'll want to finish the yard. Any small step towards
your goals feeds your daily motivation.
Now you have seven ways to self-motivation, but you have to
actually use them. How do you get motivated to do that? Oh the
irony! You'll have to figure that one out yourself. By the way,
here's a bonus motivation method: Humor. Laughter often breaks
up the feeling of being overwhelmed that sucks away motivation.