8 Quick Tricks to Get Yourself Motivated
Posted by Shawn on November 1, 2008
1. Just do it!
Nike’s slogan works if you stop thinking and start doing. We love to get engaged in an internal conversation with ourselves, believing that we are convincing ourselves to do something but in fact finding every reason not to. Take something as simple as flossing your teeth before you go to bed. If you have the floss available just do it! Don’t think; don’t make excuses like being too tired. Just do it.
2. Clear the decks.
Meaning, of course, to clear off your workspace. It is truly amazing that a single piece of paper left on your desk can attract a folder, then another folder, some mail, shotgun envelopes, more papers, pens, scissors, coffee mug, until you desk is cluttered and you cannot find the folder to the energy project. Clear off your desk and it will clear your mind, allowing you to easily focus on that next task.
3. Take a hike.
Or take a walk, stretch, move around, relax. Get your mind away from your work for a moment. While you are returning decide in your mind exactly what you will do when you sit back down so you don’t need to even think to get started. This allows you to hit the … er… ground running when you return and get right to work.
4. Get someone engaged to help.
This provides multiple benefits. First, two people can accomplish much more than one. Second, you are committed to work on the task since you have someone you engaged to help. Third, teamwork. It works wonders.
5. Think: “Well that’s done!”.
So you are thinking ahead. You think ahead about watching the football game. And it works, because once the game begins you are sitting in front of the TV with food and drink in hand, ready to go. Just think of the task being done and make it reality. Oh, that means you actually have to do it… just thinking about it isn’t enough.
6. Visualize the outcome.
Close your eyes and see in your mind what it will look like when you have accomplished the task. Even if it is something as simple as clearing the papers off the top of your desk, if you can see this in your mind’s eye you can take the actions to complete it. The greatest challenge is right after you open your eyes - immediately start the task and do not quit for any reason until you are done. Visualizing the completed task only works when you take the action to make that vision reality.
7. Commitment and Persistence:
Apply both of these and you will be able to accomplish anything. Being committed to the outcome ensures that you are in the game, and not just a casual player. Persistence is the “when the going gets tough, the tough get going” part of the equation. When you get completely stuck persistence is going to prevent you from quitting - you will keep pursuing alternative methods until you solve the problem and complete the task. Once you get started you will not want to quit until you are finished.
8. Yell at yourself!
OK, this will not work for everyone, but when all else fails, give it a try. You can do this two ways; the first is by sternly scolding yourself like your boss would were you to mess up on an important assignment; the second is by yelling at yourself in a playful manner like if your best friend was kidding you for doing something really stupid. First way: “You gotta be kidding me! You have had over two hours to move this dirt to the back yard, and so far you’ve only found the shovel?!!!”. Second way: “Wow. You mean to tell me that all you have to do if move this dirt to the back yard, and you are stuck trying to figure out which shovel to use?!!!!”
