Tips on Staying Motivated
Tips & Tricks on Staying Motivated
Motivation derives from the word motive and a simple definition of the word motivation is a reason(s) for acting or behaving in a certain way.
We are all unique human beings, and we each have our own purpose. In order to serve your purpose you need to have motivation. Self-motivation is such an important life skill, to have the ability to do what needs to be done without outside influence regardless of the challenges you face.
Intrinsic Motivation
This type of motivation is driven by internal rewards and it beneficial only to you the individual. Like playing a sport because it is fun and you enjoy it rather than needing to win at that sport or learning a new skill or a different language just because you enjoy experiencing new things.
No pressure you enjoy the pleasure and rewards derived from the experience, all the while enhancing your personal growth.
Extrinsic Motivation
Motivated and driven by external rewards outside of you – such as grades, fame, business success for example studying hard for a test, doing something because you are looking for attention, or helping others because you hope to be praised or working extra hard at your job to be compensated.
The two are Parallel
Sometimes both of these types of motivation often interlink and operate parallel. For example if you learn a new language because you enjoy learning new cultures than that is considered ‘intrinsic motivation’ however if by learning a new language leads to a work promotion and thus a higher salary than that is considered ‘extrinsic motivation’.
Introjected motivation
While similar in part to intrinsic motivation the foundation is often based upon guilt, shame or worry. So we act this way out of fear or sense of obligation to another and not because we truly WANT to.
Identified motivation
As the name suggests this type of motivation is when we know something that need to be done but we have not decided to do anything about it, much like tackling the washing basket, has to be done, but not a very enjoyable task!
Tips on staying Motivated
I believe for the most part we are all probably more intrinsically motivated, I like to think this is something we are all born with, inner self motivation can be so rewarding and uplifting.
I suspect extrinsic motivational is a learned behaviour and probably prevalent in our lives at various times during our lives.
The trick is to motivate yourself intrinsically in any given situation before reverting to extrinsically motivation. This can be done in any number of ways or by using the following tips:-
- Keep a reminder of your long term and short term goals close by or within sight
- Don’t be too hard on yourself but do commit to finishing your goal
- Check on your progress at weekly intervals to ensure you are still on track
- Treat yourself to an “accomplished goal” reward
- Listen to some motivational “Ted Talks” or read some inspirational stories
- Surround yourself with like minded individuals who will encourage and build you up.
Remember you must be motivated to work at your goals in order to realise your dreams!
What techniques do you use to keep yourself motivated on your goal-getting journey?
Please share your tips in the comment box below, I’d love to hear from you.
10 Comments
riverdogg · October 27, 2019 at 8:03 pm
Very informative guide to motivation, I had no idea there was so many types but it makes sense in hindsight.
This is helpful because I have suffered from depression and motivation issues most my adult life. I’m on medication that isn’t always very effective so reading your guide to motivation has given me some great points to think about in regards to my own struggles with personal motivation.
Thank you for a very educational guide and have a good day my friend.
Julie Anne Byrne · October 28, 2019 at 4:41 pm
Hi thanks for stopping by and commenting.
I am glad you found my post helpful, I do hope you can take something from the tips here to add to your routine.
Wishing you all the very best! Julie Anne
Selenity Jade · October 27, 2019 at 8:06 pm
Excellent post, thank you. I never really thought of ‘shame’ as a motivator for things before, but we do it all the time!
Not feeling like doing homework, and if you don’t care about grades but DO care about being embarrassed by the teacher when you’re the only one not handing in the paper?
Or we have to clean up at work before the next shift, you’d feel guilty if they had to clean up your trash. Or I clean up the mess when I spill something because it’s embarrassing to me that I’d leave it like that and be a rude person!
No one likes ironing their shirts, but you do it not to embarrass yourself. (Maybe you LIKE being that clean, but for me, it’d be embarrassment. LOL) Thanks for the thought-provoking post!
Julie Anne Byrne · October 28, 2019 at 7:06 pm
Hi and thanks for leaving a comment, I’m glad my post got you thinking, hopefully it provided some motivation for you also. Have a great day, Julie Anne
Anthony Hu · October 27, 2019 at 8:12 pm
Thank you for your post. It is inspirational. I started my online business for a while now and just did a review of business progress. I don’t feel happy about my business situation and feel slightly sad. I just browse online.
Here comes your article. I particularly like your tips, such as Don’t be too hard on yourself. I am kind of put too much pressure on myself and need to adjust my goal. Some of my goal is not realistic, such as writing one 2000 words article a day. This need to be modified.
Also I need to find mentor for my business, just as you mentioned that surround yourself with like minded individuals who will encourage and build you up.
It is kind of you sharing this help message with us.
Julie Anne Byrne · October 28, 2019 at 7:09 pm
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Anthony, already you have recognised that some of your goals need adjusting, that is a great start. I find placing 2 or 3 things on a list that can be marked off each day can be very fulfilling and will motivate you to complete more goals.
Wishing you all the very best with your online business and remember baby steps will get you there, Rome was not built in a day! Take care, Julie Anne
Jay · October 27, 2019 at 8:26 pm
I run a business at home and I do this all by myself without any staff or help. Due to the fact that I am always alone, I constantly have to keep myself motivated because it is the only way I am still able to keep going. Self-motivation is a vital key to success that alone of successful people have.
Most of us have what motivates us to want to achieve our goals. Personally I think one of the reasons I am always motivated to continue building my business is because I dream of one-day having assets that can bring money for money on a reoccuring basis without spending a lot of time on them. This keeps me motivated and going even when I face difficulties during my business.
Julie Anne Byrne · October 28, 2019 at 7:12 pm
Thanks for sharing your experiences Jay it seems you’ve become quite accomplished at self motivation which is wonderful and can be so self fulfilling.
You have clear goals and reasons for succeeding which will in turn motivate you to accomplish and complete those goals. Wishing you every success, Julie Anne
Travis · October 27, 2019 at 9:41 pm
This is a great article! I’m sure I am like many people who struggle with staying motivated. Extrinsic motivation works to a certain point, but after you achieve the goal then there is no more motivation, at least for myself! I like your idea of having weekly check ups on your goals, it is much easier to go week to week than if you have a 6 month long goal for example. Thank you for the good tips, I will try to implement them into my life!
Julie Anne Byrne · October 28, 2019 at 7:15 pm
Happy you were able to get some tips from my post Travis – I to think weekly goals are more achievable that longer term goals. Hope you are successful in implementing some changes to how you self – motivate. All the best, Julie Anne