Motivating yourself
Let’s talk about motivating yourself. One of the hardest truths in life is that no matter how many motivational speakers we listen to, however many podcasts or videos we watch, or books we read, when it comes down to it, the only person who can make you get up and do something is you.
In a previous post about TED talks we should all watch we were introduced to a numer of motivational speakers, but one message resonates with me the most.
You need to hear this loud and clear: no one is coming. It is up to you.”
Mel Robbins
The buck stops here. If you want something to happen for you you need to meet destiny halfway!
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Magic Pill
We all wish that we could click our fingers like Mary Poppins and the work is done. Or that there was some magic pill that would make us thinner, fitter, richer, happier… But there isn’t. It is all down to you and the effort you put in… and possibly luck, but you don’t want to be relying on that!
But how do you get started? That’s the problem. We all know what we should be doing, but…well…it’s effort, isn’t it?
How do you give yourself that kick up the ass you need to get you going – metaphorically speaking.
Here are 5 tips to get you started at getting started. The rest is up to you.
Find your ‘why’
In the world of ‘Investing’, it is often stated that your savings become more tangible when you know what you are putting the money towards. You need to have a goal.
The same can be said when it comes to motivating yourself to do something.
What is your ‘why?’
If you are trying to make yourself get up earlier, how would you benefit?
What is in it for you if you can motivate yourself a bit and start exercising?
Well obviously, you gain yourself more time and better health in these instances, but consider your own personal ‘why’ in your situation. What is in it for you?
Use that as fuel to start you off towards success… “success-fuel”, if you will.
Make a list
Let’s be honest, you knew this was coming; Would it be ‘Polly’s Pad’ without a list!
I have waxed lyrical about the power of lists a number of times – the entire premise of this site is based on one- and for good reason.
Lists work.
You may find there are times when you are just flapping; there is so much to do that you don’t know where to start. Maybe you are waiting for someone and have 30 minutes so “it’s not worth starting anything” and you then grab your phone and browse social media, or play a game.
This is where the list comes in.
Break down your tasks and assign them a time frame – when you have a spare five minutes you can do one task that takes that long. When you have an hour, pick a longer task.
If you have a very specific job to do: renovate a bathroom, write your novel, develop a cure for pattern baldness, that kind of thing, then you need to make note of the separate tasks required.
There is nothing so de-motivating as looking at a huge task as one whole. Everything can be broken down into smaller items and made easier.
If I make a list that includes: phone plumber for quotes, look at paint colours, decide on tiles, look online for baths… Then suddenly my ‘renovate the bathroom’ task has become easier.
And, of course, there is something very satisfying about ticking completed things from a list.
Have an accountability buddy
There is a problem with trying to go it alone. We often have no compunction about letting ourselves down.
If I say that I will take the dog for a walk in my lunch hour as I am at home anyway, I will find a reason not to. That could be the weather, too tired, or just ‘not feeling it’.
What if I had told my friend I would meet her at 1 for a walk?
Even if you weren’t ‘feeling it’ it is harder to let other people down. You would probably enjoy the walk and a chat too, once you get out there.
We are often our own worst enemy when it comes to getting motivated. It is easy to convince yourself to not do something that may be a bit difficult, or will require effort; it’s just your brain protecting you from stress. This is why bringing a second party into the mix is a good idea.
Ask them to hold you accountable when you say you will do a particular task. Tell them you plan to have done ‘X’ by next Saturday and get them to text you before that to make sure you are still on track.
This may not work for everyone – you may just grow resentful if you have an overzealous friend who keeps reminding you that you haven’t done what you said you would – but in the same way that people are more likely to exercise if they do it with someone else, getting a friend involved could be a way of motivating yourself.
Plan your reward
Sometimes a completed task is its own reward. Other times, you may need that ‘carrot’ dangled in front of you to get things done.
I am not one for bribery as a general rule, but when one of the boys recently wanted a new computer game I did suggest that if he, maybe, cleared a few bags worth of rubbish from the room we are renovating, then I might be more inclined to look favourably on his request.
Never have I seen a kid move so quick!
There is no reason why this shouldn’t work on ourselves. For example, there is a bar of chocolate in my bag. Once I finish this post, it is all mine!
Plan your reward when you are making your list. Even if the reward is a rest from what you are doing.
If you factor in rest and reward as part of your process, you may be more willing to get started.
Just start
Seems a bit obvious, but sometimes that is what we need.
Finding it hard to go on that walk? Start by putting your trainers on.
Don’t know where to start with a project? Just gather your materials, ideas and make a list.
One step is all you need to start. You will find that once you get started the process becomes easier and you are able to get started that bit quicker each time.
Motivating yourself – Over to you
What gets you up every morning? How do you make yourself press on when you don’t really want to? How can we encourage others to keep going?
Let us know in the comments.
