Sometimes motivation is a problem. It’s hard to get going. To get inspired. Especially when there is an overabundance of negative news or negativity in your work environment.
What to do?
When the problem is motivation, you need some time-tested tools to help you get going. Here are 10 key strategies for motivation I have found helpful:
1. See the end in mind.
You need to know when you’re done and you need to know what good looks like. You might not have the perfect map, but at least know your destination. Be able to see it in your mind’s eye. A good test is if you can draw your vision or quickly tell others what you’re trying to accomplish. It’s easier to keep going when you can see the finish line. It’s also easier to keep going if you like where you’re going. You can correct course easier if you know you’re getting closer or further to your destination.
2. Make it meaningful.
Have a purpose. Having a compelling purpose is a key to driving results. Sometimes, it’s as simple as redefining your purpose because your original purpose isn’t working. Use the right metaphor. Frame it in a compelling way. Redefine it. Is it a mountain or a molehill? Are you on a mission? Sometimes all it takes is the right emotional picture word to give new meaning to your activity.
3. Use pain and pleasure to get leverage on yourself.
Make it painful to not do it. Make it pleasurable to do it. Find a way to enjoy it. It’s not discipline. It’s passion. It’s not about militant discipline—it’s about finding ways to enjoy the things that are good for you. Link it to pleasure. Change how you feel about the stuff you do. Don’t assume you’ll automatically like something over time. Reward yourself in the moment. Learn to like it. One of the simplest ways to enjoy it is switching your mindset. Master your craft. Make it a game. Use selective intolerance. Spend more time with your catalysts and avoid the drains. This means avoiding draining activities and spending less time with people that take your energy away. Instead, spend your time in activities that make you stronger. Spend time with people that give you energy. Play to your strengths. Follow your passions.
4. Master self-discipline.
Flex your self-discipline muscles. Some things are a trade … pay me now or pay me later. Self-discipline is often about trading pleasure now for pleasing results later. Make resistance your friend. Don’t let resistance defeat you. Make resistance your friend. It makes you stronger. It just has to be the right resistance. If you know you’re growing, it’s easier to keep going.
5. Make it a routine.
It’s not discipline. It’s routine.Don’t make yourself work too hard each time.
Use checklists to improve.
Focus on the learning.
Master your craft.
Bootstrap your routines.
6. Set boundaries.
Set a quota. You can limit the amount you do. Use timeboxing and timeboxes. You can use time boundaries to limit or compartmentalize pain. For example, let’s say you have a bunch of activities that drain you. Consolidate and batch them for an hour in the morning to get them out of the way. You can also use timeboxes to sprint for short bursts. Fix time for eating, sleeping and working out. Have a fixed time for eating, sleeping and working out. This is an extremely common success pattern. The sum of establishing these three routines is more than the parts. These three activities support each other. Having a routine for them, helps you learn your energy patterns. Your body learns what to expect. Sometimes, what you think is a motivation issue, is really a lack of sleep. Sometimes it’s simply because you don’t eat at regular intervals and you lose energy. Working out often helps people sleep better and eat better.
7. Build momentum.
Start with something simple. Do your worst things first and get them out of the way. Set incremental hurdles. Success builds momentum.Don’t create your own walls that you can’t scale.
One of the simplest ways to break the pattern is to start with something simple, and get success. Incremental success becomes a habit.
8. Take action.
Motivation often follows action.Sometimes action doesn’t always work out the way you want it to. But without action … there will be no action.
You’ll also find that if you put in your hours, you’ll have more changes for inspiration moments.
Better yet, you set yourself up for taking advantage of those inspiration moments when they occur.
9. Reward your effort over your performance.
You can control your effort.You can’t control your results. Focus on rewarding your effort versus your performance.
By focusing on what you control, you teach yourself to give your best, independent of the outcome. This sets you up for more positive outcomes.
10. Pair up.
One of the most effective ways to find your motivation is to team up with somebody. Find somebody who complements your strengths. For example, if you’re a starter, find a finisher. If you’re a maximizer, find a simplifier. It also helps to find somebody who’s been there or done that for whatever you’re trying to accomplish. Their experience can save you a lot of wasted time or energy. It’s also easier to buy into a plan if you know it’s based on what works. That in itself is motivating.
Courtesy – Tom Nies
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