Self motivation is a problem for most everyone of us at some point in our lives, especially when we have to do things, that we don’t want to, but we know we have to.
We know we should DO because it helps us in leading the life we want whether it’s getting in better shape, finishing a degree to get a job or upgrade our career, starting a business because you’re tired of someone telling you what to do, or maybe it’s time to get back on the dating scene if you’ve been single for too long.
This is where learning how to become self-motivated is essential.
So whether you’re talking how to motivate yourself to study, finish a project at work, exercise, or look for a new place to live, it’s all the same stuff underneath we’re dealing with.
Generally, there’s some type of fear or resistance underlying a lack of motivation.
While procrastination isn’t life threatening is certainly is frustrating and aggravating.
How to Motivate Yourself and Get Going, Now
Here’s a solid definition for motivation:
“The general desire or willingness of someone to do something”.
Before we talk about willingness let’s take a look at something deeper. Actually, let’s ask a question.
“In taking this action, this next step, how will it take me to living a life that’s important to me? How will it fulfill my long term desire to change my life in this area?”
For example, let’s say you are trying to figure out how to motivate yourself to lose weight, and want to get to the gym.
But you know it’s going to be hard work, because there’s “all this weight to lose and all this work to do”.
First off, you are focusing on the wrong thought, you are focusing on the work you have to do, instead of the underlying desired to get fit.
Focusing on how hard the work is, is a poor motivation strategy.
Constantly complaining and affirming difficulty leads to more procrastination and “stuckness“.
If you need to focus your thoughts on anything, it’s your long-term goal to lose weight, in this example. You need to picture how your life would be if you didn’t lose the weight.
If you focus on the difficult thoughts and feelings about losing weight, that’s where you stay stuck.
How aware are you of your negative thoughts and feelings, that are blocking you from doing what you really want to?
Why are you listening to that crap in your head, instead of getting right to what you need to do?
You see all that complaining in your head is just a bunch of negative thoughts, that you believe are true, when they’re not.
Not only that, but the human mind-body really doesn’t like change at it’s default, though it is extremely changeable.
It’s safer to stay where you are, then expand yourself beyond what you know, at least that’s how our survival-based minds see it.
Your mind is doing everything to stop you. Don’t listen to it.
Psychological studies show that what you are thinking in your head, does not have to relate to your behavior, your actions. You can have negative thoughts and still act anyways.
Think of more extreme situations where someone was afraid but they risked their lives to save another.
The same things apply here, but on a smaller scale (see the post on how to control your emotions).
Let those negative, self-limiting, “I can’t do this” or “I’m not good enough” thoughts go, don’t listen to them.
Here’s a big key: STOP FOCUSING ON HOW TO MOTIVATE YOURSELF!
Quit trying to drum up motivation, and trying to work on your motivation or raise it.
If you focus on how to motivate yourself, all you’re doing is thinking about motivation.
Motivation is not action itself. All you need to do, is take the next tiny action, like sitting down at your table, and opening that chemistry book.
Then turning to the page you know you need to study. Then reading the first sentence.
Then the next. Step by step.
All you need to do is one thing, and that’s the next thing. A better route to take is to break out of your self-limiting, thought-ridden mental state.
How to Break Out of Your Self Limiting State
Instead of looking for ways to motivate yourself, look for ways to break yourself out of your self limiting thinking pattern, that is keeping you stuck.
Here are some ideas:
1) Leave the room, go for a walk
2) Breathing exercises and/or meditation
3) Move your body – jumping jacks, push ups
4) Dance around to your favorite song for 5 minutes
5) Change your clothes to something that would make you feel more productive
6) Try adopting an attitude of gratitude for what you have in your life
6) Take small breaks often, to help stay motivated
Now if you have finished reading this and you’re next inclination is to search the Internet for more tips to motivate yourself or ways to stay motivated, you’re just stuck in your mind again, don’t fall into that trap!
To get unstuck, and stop resisting what you have to do, let of those procrastination ridden thoughts, move around and then get to work.
You may even want to look deeper and into changing self limiting beliefs that get in the way of you being successful.
Remember that what you’re doing is important to the quality of your life, even if it’s cleaning your bedroom.
“Do or do not, there is no try” – Master Yoda.
Quit trying to get motivated and start doing, so you can get it done.
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