Whether we want to admit it or not it is a lot simpler to just stay sitting on the couch putting off the stuff we need to do until later.
But how can we keep ourselves motivated to always stay on top of the things we need to do to accomplish our goals?
Here are 5 Effective Techniques for How to Motivate Yourself
Try to Impress Yourself
Ever wondered what successful people like James Cameron, Stephenie Meyer, and Peter Jackson have in common?
Well, the thing is they all share a secret sauce: They focus on impressing themselves first.
And this self-impression is what leads to best-selling books and blockbuster movies.
Instead of letting other people set the standards for you, start by impressing yourself.
Why?
Because when you do, you’ll find it much easier to complete one task after another.
This boost in self-esteem will make you even more passionate about the things you do every day.
This passion will become your fuel to keep going until you’re content and happy with what you’ve achieved.
Let this inner drive be the force that propels you toward your goals.
And just like James Cameron, you can attain titanic success, surpassing even the legendary “Lord of the Rings.”
How cool would that be?
Stick to One Goal at a Time
A common mistake a lot of people make is asking too much of themselves and taking on too many challenges all at once.
This can often lead to feeling like you’ve not really achieved all that much at the end of the day, and you just end up being tired and frustrated.
Managing too many projects at the same time can make it tough to focus and can trigger your stress response, making it all even more challenging.
Even if you have multiple goals, it’s crucial to prioritize them and just schedule tasks that are related to each goal.
And give yourself permission to focus on just one task at a time.
This way, you can direct your energy and motivation toward completing it before shifting on to the next one.
Repeated past studies have shown that so-called multitasking is not effective and can end up being really stressful.
And trying to do a few tasks simultaneously is more likely to result in a lower quality of work.
When you concentrate on just one task at a time, you’ll often finish it faster than you’d think; this will lead to greater accomplishments by the end of the day.
Aim for More Manageable Tasks
Setting overly ambitious goals to start with can lead you to feeling a bit overwhelmed.
The way for you to avoid this is to organize your goals by making lists of smaller, more manageable tasks.
As you check off these small tasks one by one, you’ll begin to experience a growing sense of accomplishment.
This feeling will boost your motivation and make you want to complete even more jobs throughout the day.
By the end of the week, you’ll have achieved a number of your small goals, which will in turn bring you that much closer to making your bigger goals a reality.
Give it Another Shot
There are times when dealing with failures and mistakes can be a bit draining and end up lowering your motivation.
But if you’re thinking about giving up or feel that you are too tired to continue, try to remember the words of the famous inventor Thomas Edison.
He once said:
“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”
If a task feels too tough, too boring, or too complex, try doing it differently, one more time.
Even if you’re feeling frustrated, give the task one more shot.
Be Honest and Ditch the Excuses
When just about everything else fails to motivate you, being honest with yourself can sometimes do the trick.
It’s a magic key to changing negative habits.
According to Bernie Roth, the author of “The Achievement Habit: Stop Wishing, Start Doing, And Take Command of Your Life,” excuses can either be your best friend or your worst enemy.
If you catch yourself about to make an excuse for avoiding doing a bit of work, stand in front of a mirror and ask, “Are you genuinely too tired to work, or do you just want to veg out and watch your favourite TV show?”
Remember, there’s nothing wrong with taking a break now and then, but come on, it’s essential that you are truthful with yourself.
And, don’t think that motivation is going to kick in if you are sitting and distracting yourself with stuff that is eating up the time which should be spent on more productive tasks.
