Many people find ourselves in motivational slumps that we have to work to get out of. Sometimes it’s as a continuous cycle where we are motivated for a time, fall out and then have to build things back up again.
The best way to be continuously self-motivated is to implement something like these 8 steps from Ian McKenzie.
Have positive attitude: There’s is nothing more powerful for self-motivation than the right attitude. You can’t choose or control your circumstance, but can choose your attitude towards your circumstances.
How I see this working is while you’re developing these mental steps, and utilizing them regularly, self-motivation will come naturally when you need it.
The important thing, for me, is hitting a last step to Share With Others. It may be somewhat addictive and self-motivating when you help others who are having trouble.
My 8 Steps
I enjoyed Ian’s article but thought it could use some definition when it comes to attempting to build a continuous drive of motivation. Here’s a new list that is a basically more generic:
1. Start simple. Keep motivators around your work area – things that give you that initial spark to get going.
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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 all the things you can. The more you figure out, 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.
5. Stop thinking. Just do. If you 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. Know yourself. Keep notes on when your motivation sucks and when you feel like a superstar. There is going to be a pattern that, once you are aware of, it’s possible to work around and create.
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 inspire you to do the same. Write articles about your success and aqcuire feedback from readers.What I would hope happens here is you will gradually develop certain skills that become motivational habits.
As soon as you get to the stage where you are regularly assisting others keep motivated – be it with a blog or talking with peers – you’ll find the cycle continuing where each facet of staying motivated is refined and developed.
In case you could just take one step? Just do it!
As soon as you get started on something, you’ll almost always just get into it and keep going. You will find moments when you should do things you really don’t want to: that’s where the other steps and tips from other writers come in handy.
However, the most crucial thing, that I think is worth repeating, is to just get started. Get that momentum going and then when you should, take Ian’s Step 7 and have A rest. No one wants to work all the time!
