Introduction
Motivation can be defined as the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way; the general desire or willingness of someone to do something. So self motivation may be considered as the initiative to begin or continue an activity without any external influence. The personal development field is filled with tips and tricks to increase one’s motivation. My blog today will enumerate the steps or techniques needed to be a self-motivated person.
Self-motivation technique #1: Make it into a goal
It is well known that goals have the power to help you achieve your dreams. If you can see the tasks you have to accomplish as choices and not commands, they are much easier to achieve. Writing goals down and breaking them into smaller more manageable chunks with a deadline attached is the key to success. Goals should be SMART in that they are: Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Relevant, Timely. Another way of thinking about goals is the acronym LASER: Limited, Achievable, Specific, Evaluated, and Repeatable.
Self-motivation technique #2: Schedule It
Making a “To Do” list of several major tasks that you need to get done each day to accomplish goals, and scheduling a time commitment or appointment for completion will go a long way to making you more productive.
Self-motivation technique #3: Remember your why
When you are trying to accomplish a task, it is important to remember why it is being done in the first place. Often times, that’s all the inspiration you might need to carry it through. By doing so, it will become easier to commit 100% to what it takes to get it done. “There is one quality which one must possess to win, and that is definiteness of purpose, the knowledge of what one wants, and a burning desire to possess it.” Napoleon Hill
Self-motivation technique #4: Eliminate distractions mercilessly
Productivity is greatest during large chunks of uninterrupted focused time. Therefore, you should take steps to eliminate all forms of distraction, focusing intensely for defined blocks of time, with built-in short breaks. “The time that leads to mastery is dependent on the intensity of our focus.”― Robert Greene
Self-motivation technique #5: Be a lifelong learner
The lack of knowledge can negatively impact progress and motivation. The more you know about a particular problem or goal, the easier it will be to solve or accomplish it. Avail yourself to as many different forms of learning as possible, and try to learn on a regular basis. One core trait among virtually all successful individuals is that they regularly read. Well known successes such as Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, Elon Musk, Mark Cuban and Oprah Winfrey all are avid readers. According to motivational author and speaker Brian Tracy, “Those people who develop the ability to continuously acquire new and better forms of knowledge that they can apply to their work and to their lives will be the movers and shakers in our society for the indefinite future.”
Self-motivation technique #6: Create a feeling of gratitude
One of the quickest ways to feel good about yourself is to practice gratitude – it’s almost entirely impossible to feel low and grateful at the same time. The positive feelings derived from being grateful can get you unstuck from a rut. “Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out.” John Wooden
Self-motivation technique #7: Visualize success
Visualizing accomplishing a task and what it will feel like when you are finished can be a powerful motivator to continue working towards a goal. Success is much more likely to be achieved when it can be first envisioned in the mind. This quote stood out to me: “Proper visualization by the exercise of concentration and willpower enables us to materialize thoughts, not only as dreams or visions in the mental realm but also as experiences in the material realm.” Paramahansa Yogananda
Self motivation technique #8: Reward yourself
Knowing there is a reward (of your choosing) at the end of a successfully completed task can set up a successful habit of goal completion. “There are an infinite number of rewards you could bestow on yourself for working at your creative projects, and you deserve every one of them.” ~ Eric Maisel. But in truth, “The reward of a thing well done, is to have done it.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Self-motivation technique #9: Create a positive mindset
Promote positive self-talk and avoid negative self-talk and ANTs (Automatic Negative Thoughts). Helen Keller once said, ” No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new heaven to the human spirit.” Create personal affirmations and say them at least morning and evening before bed. Be kind to yourself when you make a mistake. Be constructive and learn to transform those mistakes into opportunities. Renowned inventor Thomas Edison was quoted as saying, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
Self-motivation technique #10: Keep good company
Motivational speaker the late Jim Rohn said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” Look to surround yourself with people who inspire and motivate you. This can be someone in your life, someone you have read, seen or heard about, or someone you can follow online. Also, asking others to help hold you accountable for achieving a particular goal or task will enhance your success.
Self-motivation technique #11: Reflect on the past-Imagine the future
Reflect on past successes and use the positive feelings to stay motivated. On the other hand, imagine what your future life will be like if you don’t stay motivated. Here’s a motivational quote from motivational speaker and author the late Zig Ziglar: “You can either experience the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The choice is yours.”
Conclusion
Motivation is an extensive topic and many excellent books have been written about it. Begin to incorporate these techniques into your routine, and I am certain your productivity will benefit. I firmly believe that we should strive to be lifelong learners, and that habit has the potential to make us a success in whatever path we take through life. In future blogs, I plan to review a variety of personal development books, especially those that may promote success in entrepreneurial endeavors such as I am involved in. If you would like to learn more about online business educational opportunities with the Entre Institute be sure to click on any of several links you can find on this blog site.
I welcome any comments about the blog, or suggestions you might have to improve it.
Take care!