We all have experienced lack of motivation at some point in our lives. Motivation can be understood as the process that initiates, guides, and maintains behaviors that lead to a goal. For example, if you are trying to get an assignment done for college, the simple task requires motivation.
We require motivation to get things done on a daily basis. Now, to understand motivation, we need to understand where it comes from. The source of motivation can be intrinsic or extrinsic. Intrinsic motivation means that it comes from within the individual. For example, wanting to solve a riddle purely for the purpose of satisfaction. Extrinsic motivation comes from our surroundings, it can involve rewards like money, recognition, etc.
It’s quite common to struggle with motivation and not having enough of it can be frustrating. To help gain and maintain it, let’s start with assessing different aspects of motivation like goal setting, external support, and inspiration. Goal setting seems like a fairly simple process, but putting in a little more effort can make a huge difference. Setting SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, time-bound) can help us be more consistent with our effort. Take a step back and ask yourself if your goal is realistic, setting our expectations high and turning up the pressure is harmful to our motivation. External Support can be very significant for us while pursuing a large goal. Surround yourself with supportive people. Sharing with our support system, family & friends, can lighten the pressure and increase efficiency. Lastly, Inspiration can be tricky to keep with us. It may be supportive to learn that even the smallest act can be inspiring. Something like an ant carrying a large breadcrumb is an inspiring act.
Some tools that can be used to stay on track can be maintaining a daily routine, Mindfulness, and positive self-talk. Having time blocks on certain parts of the day for tasks can help maintain a rhythm and steady you when needed. Practicing mindfulness and positive self-talk will maintain inner calm and help you feel centered. It is paramount that we are patient with ourselves, our goals, and our progress. It is key to monitor our progress consistently because small victories are important! However, staying patient with ourselves also means understanding that breaks and taking rest is crucial.
Importance of Professional Counseling: A friend or family member may listen to you, but they aren’t professionally, technically qualified or experienced to offer you professional advice. If you wish you can contact us at MindTribe to receive help from our team of expert psychologists.
About MindTribe.in.
MindTribe Founder Dr. Prerna Kohli, India’s eminent psychologist, established the company to leverage the strength of the online to make counseling affordable and accessible to everyone. MindTribe provides counseling, workshops, support groups, forums, and eLearning.
About the Author.
Aditi Aggarwal is a psychologist at MindTribe.in. You can learn more about her by clicking here
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of MindTribe.in, the Founders, or management team.
Acknowledgement: All images used are open source and from Unsplash.