Continuous Self-motivation is the capability to do what needs to be done, without influence from other people or situations.
People with self-motivation can find a reason and strength to finalize a task, even when challenging, without giving up or needing another to encourage them.
Many of us find ourselves in motivational slumps that we have to work to get out of. Sometimes it’s like a continuous cycle where we are motivated for a period of time, fall out and then have to build things back up again. But what if instead of constantly walking on the emotional roller-coaster dictated by self-motivation we try to keep ourselves somewhere around the floating line?
1. Start simple
Keep motivators around your work area – things that give you that initial spark to get going.
2. Keep good company
Make more regular encounters with positive and motivated people. This might be as simple as IM chats with peers or a quick discussion with a friend who likes sharing ideas.
3. Keep learning
Read and try to take in everything you can. The more you learn, the more confident you become in starting projects.
4. Stay Positive
See the good in bad. When encountering obstacles, you want to be in the habit of finding what works to get over them. I know it’s easy to just drop a line here and say “be positive” but when you find it difficult to find good things in bad situations, try making a list that will help you see things through a clearer light.
5. Stop thinking
Just do. If you happen to find motivation for a particular project lacking, try getting started on something else. Something trivial even, then you’ll develop the momentum to begin the more important stuff.
6. Don’t compare yourself with others
Keep notes on when your motivation sucks and when you feel like a superstar. There will be a pattern that, once you are aware of, you can work around and develop. It’s essential to get the hang of who you truly are since the only person you ever need to compare yourself with is yourself.
7. Track your progress
Keep a tally or a progress bar for ongoing projects. When you see something growing you will always want to nurture it.
8. Help others
Share your ideas and help friends get motivated. Seeing others do well will motivate you to do the same. Write articles on your success and get feedback from readers.
9. Cut down on TV
Do you watch it too much? Watch less of what they are doing in TV-land and do more of what you want to do in life. Also, before getting to sleep try not to scroll too much on Facebook since it affects the quality of your sleep.
10. Take advantage of your creativity
Take out a piece of paper. Write at the top of the page what area in your life you would like to have more ideas about. It could be that you want ideas to earn more money or become a healthier person. Then brainstorm until you have written down 20 ideas on that topic. Then try for 10 more. Not all ideas will be good. But some will. And also as you make use of your creativity you not only discover useful ideas. You also discover just how creative you can be if you try and how motivating and great that feels.
11. Leave your comfort zone
I’ve already talked in one of my previous article about the importance of being able to step out from your comfort zone. This will help you get started with a new project, a new hobby or basically anything else you would have been afraid of trying before.
12. Make a list of goals
It’s hard to motivate yourself about something you are not even sure about. Make a list of your future goals and start working towards them. Each time you accomplish something new you can tick it out from your list and move towards the next one.
13. Take nothing for granted
The moment you wake up in the morning you should try to fix your attitude a bit. Meaning although your first thought is “coffee or I die” you should be grateful for the fact that you are healthy, have a job and this day might still out to be the best of your life!
Self-motivation is a key life skill and something that everybody interested in personal development should think carefully about. Finally, it is recommended to keep track of what you want to achieve and stay motivated to do so.
