Motivation – The Time is NOW

Motivation is the process that initiates, guides, and maintains goal-oriented behaviors. It is what causes you to act.
— Verywell Mind

We all have been passionate about achieving a goal. We make a plan, are inspired to work hard and believe in the possibility of success. 

But, over time, we slow down, postpone some of the planned tasks, and eventually stop altogether. We still think it was a good idea, but somehow we don’t want to continue. 

So, what happened?

We ran out of motivation. We no longer feel as passionate about the project, and we can’t find the strength to continue.

Let’s explore what motivation is, how it works and why we lose it so we can avoid the same mistakes next time we attempt to achieve a goal. 

What is Motivation

“Motivation is the desire to act in service of a goal. It’s the crucial element in setting and attaining our objectives. Motivation is one of the driving forces behind human behavior”. — Psychology Today

Motivation empowers us to grow, develop, improve, achieve, and find purpose – it is the driving force behind human actions, the spark that ignites the engine. But why do we lose it in the process of achieving our goals? 

How Motivation Works

There are two types of motivation. 

Extrinsic – the person is motivated by external sources (culture, people, rewards, etc.). This motivation is powerful and serves well in the short run; however, over time, it wears off, especially if the motivator is no longer present.

Intrinsic – the person is motivated by internal sources. The person wants to improve and develop for their benefit and personal satisfaction.

Intrinsic motivation is much stronger than extrinsic motivation. Self-motivated people are more likely to achieve their goals and sustain the results. This type of motivation is suitable in the long run because the motivating factor is the individual themself.

The sustainability of the motivation also depends on other factors. Research shows that positive motivation works better than negative motivation. For example, people are more likely to work harder towards achieving a goal if a reward is offered. On the other hand, punishment might work in the short run, but it is not a good motivator. Instead, it causes resentment and discontent, which leads to a loss of motivation. 

How to Stay Motivated

Here are a few things you can consider and use while setting your goals and using your motivation to get you going throughout the whole process.

• Find motivation from within. The best way to stay motivated is to find your reason for wanting to achieve your goals. Making your parents proud is honorable; however, it may be better if you want to accomplish the plan because of your desire for growth.
• Picture your life after achieving your goal. See how much more satisfied you will be and how your lifestyle will change. Draw a detailed mental picture of the result. This picture is your goal achieved. When you feel you are losing motivation to continue, go back to the mental image. Reminding yourself of the outcome will reignite the motivation to keep you going.
• Set SMART goals to see the whole process from start to finish and help you think through the steps you need to take.
• Surround yourself with motivated people. They will be the ones that will help you get your motivation up when it starts fading away. 

You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with.
— Jim Rohn

• Create a positive environment. Create a work/life environment that will help you stay focused. For example, remove all objects that will distract you from your work area. 

• Make a list of all pros and cons and outline any risks or challenges you may encounter. If you prepare yourself for any outcome and possible setbacks, you won’t get caught off guard.

• Break the big goal into smaller goals/steps. Every time you achieve a small goal, your motivation level will boost you through the next step.

• Reward yourself. Set small rewards along the way. Make sure they are appropriate for your goal. For example, if your goal is to lose weight, set a reward for every milestone you reach. Make sure that the reward aligns with the goal. Consider going out with a friend to enjoy freshly squeezed juice instead of a large box of donuts.

Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.
— Jim Ryun

• Make it a habit. Don’t stop! Make sure you work on the task as planned, even if it is just for a few minutes. If you create a chain, it makes it harder to stop. Set a calendar in your workspace and draw an X for every day you worked on the goal. Once you see a chain, you will be more motivated to continue and not break it.
  * I journal daily. There are days when I don’t want to write anything. Instead of allowing these feelings to stop me, I sit and write, even if only for a few minutes. This way, I am making it not only a habit to journal daily but also to push through negative thoughts. It also creates a sense of a small achievement. Research shows that once you take the first step, you are likely to continue and finish the task ahead. 

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Conclusion 

I hope the information above will help you stay motivated to continue working on your goals. I struggle with motivation even when working on projects that I want to see through. The techniques listed above help me to keep going. If you would like to talk about staying motivated, Please, feel free to reach out if you’d like to have a chat! You can also send me a message if you prefer to communicate in writing.

I offer a free 1-hour discovery session for new clients. I would love to talk to you and help you get on the road to becoming the best version of yourself.

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I am here for you!

Please share below how you stay motivated so that others can learn from your experience.