Motivation

5 Important Facts You Need to Know About Motivation

Published

7 years ago

Sep 23, 2017

Whether you are trying to lead a team of employees, teach a child, or even get through your own workday, staying motivated is key. Nonetheless, this isn’t always as easy as waking up and deciding to be motivated.

There’s a lot to know about motivation and what it can offer you – whether you are trying to motivate yourself or others, thus below are 5 points that are the most important to know:

1. Goals are Crucial

This one might sound like a cliche but you should make sure to set smaller goals on the way to the bigger one. A large project can be intimidating to work on – whether this is a job at work, weight loss goals, or anything else. The best way to keep motivation high is to take these jobs one bite at a time.

Rather than looking at a massive job, break it down into smaller goals or milestones. Focusing on completing these will be much less stressful than looking at an entire project all at once.

2. Give a Reason Why

If someone is working without purpose rather than working toward something, they are bound to lose motivation. After all, why shouldn’t they? On the other hand though, a purpose will make any task easier to accomplish. Think about being given a boring task; it would be easier to suffer through this if it was part of a bigger, more interesting project instead of just a meaningless task.

“When you feel like quitting think about why you started.”

3. Positive Reinforcement is Better Than Fear

It can sometimes seem that threatening to fail a difficult student or fire a lazy employee can be the best way to get them to work. However, while this may work for a bit, these employees and students fall back into old habits quickly.

What is more lasting, though, is positive reinforcement and incentives. Instead of threatening to fire an employee, it may work better if you promise employees the chance to grow. The concept of reward vs. punishment has been studied many times and the general consensus is that someone is far more likely to be motivated to correct and improve their behavior when they are promised a reward for improvement instead of a punishment for stagnancy.

4. Motivated People are More Engaged

This fact just makes sense; if you are motivated about what you are doing, you are going to be more engaged. If you aren’t motivated, you won’t be nearly as engrossed in your work and won’t pay as close of an eye to it. There are two main ways this is crucial. For repetitive work or tasks, this means that you will be more attentive to detail, making you more detail-oriented and thoughtful of the task at hand.

In addition though, this makes more motivated people safer as well. If you are working in dangerous conditions, those people who are paying more attention to their jobs are bound to be safer on the job than those who aren’t. For example, imagine a doctor not being interested in or paying attention to his job; the results could very easily turn catastrophic.

“Throw yourself into some work you believe in with all you heart, live for it, die for it, and you will find happiness that you had thought could never be yours.” – Dale Carnegie

5. Creative Tasks are Easier to Get Motivated For

No matter how motivated you are naturally, if you are doing a simple, mind-numbing task constantly, you are bound to lose that motivation eventually. However, this can be combated with the use of more creative tasks.

Obviously, you aren’t always going to have a creative task available. There will also be a need to fill out a spreadsheet or do a mundane, repetitive task. When you can though, it is much easier to get excited and motivated about a task that gives you room to think.

This is a technique that can be used in any setting, not just the workplace. Take a classroom full of children for example. If a teacher announces that the class is going to do a worksheet, you won’t hear any excitement. On the other hand, if a teacher tells a class that they are to do an experiment, you are likely to see more children get excited.

While adults may not jump up and down in their seats like an elementary school student would, creative tasks still help to keep them engaged in what they are doing and make them feel like their ideas matter just as much as their labor.

How do you maintain your motivation from day to day? Let us know in the comments below!

Image courtesy of Twenty20.com

Related Topics:determination drive engagement giving up Goals how to motivate yourself positive reinforcement self awareness stamina whats your why

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8 Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Be More Decisive

Published

10 months ago

Jan 29, 2024

Joel Brown (Founder of Addicted2Success.com)

Tackling Procrastination and Indecisiveness

Hi, Joel Brown here. As the person behind Addicted to Success and Mind Strong, I’m often asked about tackling procrastination and making swift, effective decisions. It’s a common struggle in today’s world, where distractions are endless.

Procrastination often creeps in when we’re bombarded with social media notifications, breaking news, and the hustle of daily life. This leads to a fear-driven indecision, where we’re paralyzed by the thought of failure or judgment.

Here’s a video breakdown of how to stop procrastinating and be more decisive if you are more of a visual person:

Embracing Speed and Momentum to Stop Procrastination

One of the most impactful lessons in my journey is understanding the role of speed in overcoming procrastination. A mentor of mine, a highly successful individual, always emphasized:

“Success loves speed, and money loves momentum.”

This principle is crucial in combating procrastination. It’s about seizing opportunities quickly, not just for financial gain, but for the invaluable experiences and connections they bring.

Understanding Analysis Paralysis: A Key to Overcoming Procrastination

A major hurdle in decision-making is what’s commonly known as analysis paralysis, a significant form of procrastination. It happens when our decision-making process, governed by the prefrontal cortex, gets overwhelmed. To break free from this form of procrastination, try calming techniques like deep breathing. It’s surprising how such simple steps can clear a cluttered mind and help you move past procrastination.

The Long-Term Effects of Procrastination and Indecision

Procrastination isn’t just about putting off decisions; it can lead to a reduced sense of life satisfaction over time.

In a conversation I had with Tony Robbins, we discussed how the quality of our lives hinges on the quality of our decisions.

Therefore, overcoming procrastination and indecision is vital for a fulfilling life.

My Top Strategies for Beating Procrastination

Seek Guidance from the Experienced: To combat procrastination, connect with people who’ve achieved the goals you’re aiming for. Their experience can be a guiding light when you’re stuck in indecision.
Use Deadlines as Anti-Procrastination Tools: Setting deadlines is a powerful way to break the cycle of procrastination. They create a sense of urgency that pushes you into action.
Accept Imperfection to Move Past Procrastination: Understand that no one is perfect, and that includes you. Accepting this can alleviate the pressure that often leads to procrastination.

Identify Your Procrastination Type to Find Solutions

Procrastination manifests in various forms. I’ve developed a quiz (find it at mindstrongacademy.com/quiz) to help you identify your specific type of procrastination. Understanding your personal procrastination style is a crucial step in addressing it effectively.

Additional Tips on Making Quality Decisions and Beating Procrastination

When it comes to decision-making, it’s important to not get too bogged down in analyzing pros and cons. While analysis is important, excessive scrutiny can lead to procrastination. Trusting your intuition often plays a crucial role in breaking free from procrastination.

Handling Major Life Choices Without Procrastination

For significant decisions in life, whether in your career or personal relationships, procrastination can be particularly challenging.

To address this, break down these big decisions into smaller steps. Assess the potential outcomes realistically to understand that often, the fear of a negative outcome is more intimidating than the actual consequences.

Conclusion: Your Journey Away from Procrastination Begins Now

To wrap up, remember that overcoming procrastination and indecision is about understanding your own patterns, seeking wise counsel, setting deadlines, and embracing your imperfections. It’s time to start making those impactful decisions and enjoying the journey of life.

Whether it’s through the Mind Strong Academy or my procrastination quiz, I’m here to guide you on your path to decisive action.