Sophie Bell-Rhone http://www.neomam.com 4m 1,116 #motivation
The views of this article are the perspective of the author and may not be reflective of Confessions of the Professions.
Staying Motivated For Productivity
Motivation – Sometimes we have it whilst other times we desperately search high and low for it. So, what can we do in our time of need to find that motivational spark we could really do with?
The word motivation generally defines as the desire or willingness to do something – the drive to act or behave in the way that is expected. The team behind Pro Essay Writer have looked at seven of the most effective ways we can all use to help keep us motivated at work so, if you constantly find yourself staring out the window and ignoring those important tasks: then this is for you.
Motivation is made up out of three general components – activation, intensity and perseverance and you need all three components to be able to get motivated. You need to make the decision to be productive and pro-active, you need to have the right amount of effort required to go into the task at hand and lastly you’ll need to persevere through keeping up the effort. Put them all together and you’re on the right track to motivated greatness.
There are generally two different types of motivation. Intrinsic motivation comes from inside the individual; the personal reward and want to do something – because you want to do it, you will be more likely to get it completed. The second type is extrinsic motivation which comes from outside the individual. By completing something, you will get a reward from others around you in some form or another. Extrinsic motivation helps to make difficult tasks a lot more bearable and easy to manufacture, however extrinsic motivation can be a lot more prone to procrastination.
So, don’t put things off and motivate yourself to have a look at the infographic and start getting things done.
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7 Ways To Stay Motivated
Motivation. It’s the difference between getting things done and remaining horizontal on a Netflix binge.
If you’re feeling a bit “meh”, here’s how to kick yourself out of it.
What Is Motivation?
Motivation is said to have 3 components:
- Activation: The decision to do something
- Intensity: The amount of effort that goes into doing something
- Perseverance: How long you can keep up the effort
Achieving your goals requires all of the above.
Type of Motivation
Motivation can be divided into 2 categories:
- Intrinsic motivation: arises from inside the individual (e.g. solving a puzzle just because you want to)
- Pros:
- Easy to maintain concentration
- Will do it regardless of reward
- Cons:
- Can easily be subject to moods
- Pros:
- Extrinsic motivation: comes from outside the individual (e.g. solving a problem for money, recognition, or praise from peers)
- Pros:
- Easy to manufacture using rewards
- Makes difficult tasks bearable
- Cons:
- Prone to procrastination
- Pros:
How To Find Motivation
If only it was possible for us to enjoy doing everything with intrinsic motivation.
- Unfortunately, tasks such as paperwork, chores, and study often need willpower and rewards to get done.
- If you’re feeling apathetic or keep procrastinating on a task, get motivated by eliminating your excuses.
How To Get Motivated
1. You’re afraid of failure
This stops you from the first step of motivation – starting an activity.
How to fix it
It’s a matter of perspective.
Look at all possible outcomes, including the worst-case scenario. If you do fail, will it really be that bad?
And if you don’t do the task, what will happen? Think of the consequences. This negative outcome should jumpstart you into getting motivated.
2. It’s too boring
If you lack the energy to do a task, you’re likely to use your motivation to indulge in something else — like watching TV.
How to fix it
Focus on the task instead of the time.
By looking at what you need to do, instead of how long it’ll take you, you’ll become more stimulated. With this approach, time should fly as you finish off the activity.
If this isn’t enough, track your progress towards a goal. Focus on whatever is the smaller of the two: how much you’ve done vs. how much you have left to do.
3. You just don’t feel like it
Are you weighed down by an immense feeling of laziness? Then it’s time to get organized.
How to fix it
You can’t plan your moods, but you can plan your day.
Think about when you’re most productive. If it’s early morning or late in the afternoon, then organize your day around this.
If you’re still feeling lazy, try the ‘countdown and do it’ method. Simply count down from 10, and start. Once you’re in the zone, you’re more likely to get things done.
4. You’re too tired
If you’re struggling to stay awake, then it’ll be impossible to be motivated.
How to fix it
Take are of yourself physically as well as mentally.
Are you stressed out? Take time to meditate and exercise. How are your eating and sleeping patterns? Don’t skip on meals or pull any all-nighters.
Listen to your body, and if you’re still fatigued, visit your doctor.
5. You don’t know where to start
Decision fatigue affects everyone. The number of choices you make in a day is inversely related to your mental energy.
How to fix it
Create a to do list.
Getting started can be the hardest part, but if you can see what needs doing from the get go, you’re onto a good start.
Include not only what you have to do, but what choices you have to make. It’ll help you get your priorities in order and help you manage your brainpower usage.
6. You just have too much to do
How can you put effort into something when you have so many other things to do?
How to fix it
Get rid of any unnecessary commitments.
Every commitment you make uses up finite willpower. Learn to say ‘no’ to things and simply focus on what’s truly important in your life.
If it’s the sheer size of a task that’s overwhelming you, then divide and conquer. Feel good about your small successes.
7. You don’t see the point
You’re faced with a mid-task crisis. Why am I doing this, exactly?
How to fix it
Be clear on the end goal.
Know what you’re doing and why. If it’s something boring or unpleasant, accept it’s something you need to do to turn yourself into who you want to be.
Think of the future, successful version of yourself. What would that person do right now?
Willpower is like a muscle. The more you exercise it, the better you’ll be at using it. So stop reading and start doing.
Dreams get you started, discipline keeps you going.
Source: http://proessaywriter.net/7-ways-to-stay-motivated/
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