Ways to Improve Your Motivation

At least once a day, and even that is an understatement, I hear someone say, “I have no motivation.” Here is my favorite learned secret, are you ready? You always have motivation – it is not this mystical presence that hangs with unicorns and then makes random appearances. You always have motivation, it is always present, and it is always strong. The issue, please let me validate that there is a real issue, and that it is your motivation is going in the wrong direction or for something ineffective. Where your motivation is, does not serve you for reaching a current goal.

Let me give some examples, I will paint the scene: you’re thinking you should get up and start that workout routine, get that cleaning done, do that last thing for work, get that side-project started, or maybe start that hobby you have been thinking about, yet you stay on the couch and watch the same show over again. It is not that you did not have motivation, it is that you had motivation for staying on the couch.  

Now this may happen do to inner or outer resistance – what you are telling yourself, (inner), or your dog/cat/pet is sitting on the couch too and you do not want to abandon them, (outer). It may be from fear of failure or fear of success. It may be just a habit that you have not broken free from.

So, what to do to improve your motivation? See if you can use one or more of the five motivating factors:

Interest: What could be added to make a task more interesting or what could be added with the task to make it more interesting. For example, make a cooking task more interesting by trying a recipe of interest or adding an interesting feature like playing your favorite music/podcast/audio book while you are cooking.

Novelty: How can you add an element of novelty to your task. A favorite example clients tend to enjoy is adding a new element to cleaning – get a new scent with the cleaner, buy a new sponge/scrubbing brush, it does not have to be expensive, just something new that makes the task easier to start or complete.

Competition: Find a competitive aspect to the task. Can you beat your time from last time you did the task, (think if I put my laundry away in 17 minutes last time can I put it away in under 16 minutes this time?), or create a streak for getting the task done each week – no streak freezes here keep it going!

Challenge: What kind of challenge can make this task fun to tackle? Think how can I do this task in a different and/or more efficient way? For example, vacuuming the floor rather than sweeping or for more whimsy, tape sponges to your shoes and mop the floor as you skate or dance around. Find a different way to do the task that is more efficient, more fun, or both.

Urgency: This one works fabulously for so many, but it comes with an element of stress and anxiety so I would recommend using it as a back-up plan. As it appears, it is using the deadline for the task to get it done. The night before garbage pick-up, you have time, right? As you hear the truck coming down the street in the morning, you have urgency and rush out to get the task done.

Pick one, pick them all and I hope it helps you shift your motivation in the wanted/needed direction.

As always, I am here to help, simply reach out.