Motivation. That elusive thing everyone struggles to find. Whether it’s the will to leave one’s comfortable bed or the drive to finish assignments on time, we are constantly looking for motivation. We search for it in others, in books, and we read countless blogs on how to stay motivated, from eating well to adequate rest to meditation. Yet, we lack the motivation to implement these in our lives.
This post, will talk about things one can do everyday to introduce motivation in our lives, starting with implementing what we read. Psychologically speaking, motivation can be found due to biological urges, internal validity, and goal driven behavior. Now, one has no way to introduce biological urges to go to the office instead of a lie-in. Far as I know at least. If you have the secret to getting out of bed at seven biologically, do let me know.
However, internal validation or intrinsic motivation and goal-driven motivation can be cultivated.
Therefore, here four things one can do everyday to keep oneself motivated, apart from staying hydrated and exercising. They are reflecting on oneself and their behavior, setting achievable short-term goals, introducing a work-life balance in our lives, and trying to mix our hobbies with our work.
Why these skills? Read on to find out.
Reflection. Why is it important, you ask?
As mentioned above, internal validation helps one remain motivated. If one reflects on their daily life and mundane activities, one will not only improve as a person, but they’ll constantly be reminding themselves of their reasons for doing what they are doing and thus providing internal validation. Remember, to create an impact one needs to devote time to their work and to be able to devote time to one’s work, one needs a steady source of income and the ability to take risks, all of which daily reflection can lead to. However, one needs to be disciplined while doing this and not overthink.
Personally I feel one should identify what their purpose in life and what their passion is and then find the way to get to that. For example- my passion is writing. And my purpose is helping people.
Therefore I will try and build a career where I can get internal validation by writing, and external validation by fulfilling my purpose when my writing helps others.
It is no use following the long route. If you want attention, go for attention and not poetry. If you want to be a poet than find what makes that work. Do not think you’ll earn and then do what you want. Life is too short to not do what you love. Make your dreams practical and realistic. It is possible if one tries.
Next is goal-setting. While we all set lofty goals, setting achievable short-term goals gives one a sense of accomplishment which keeps us motivated.
The introduction of a work-life balance is equally important. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, after all. However, relaxation does not have to mean partying or socializing, it can be doing whatever one finds pleasurable. Taking regular breaks to do things that make one happy will not only keep one motivated but will also help avoid burn-outs or an excessive partying spiral that one will eventually regret.
Taking regular breaks, thus, is important as it makes one feel rewarded and this keeps one going through boring meetings and long reports that leech the creativity out of theml. However, what if the reports didn’t do that? Wouldn’t it be easier to work if…we enjoyed it? It seems like a foreign concept but it’s not. One can incorporate their hobbies in their work. All it requires is creativity and courage. Once work is fun, we will automatically feel the drive to put in the effort.
Also do not compare yourself to others because they are running a different race from you. What is was to you might Herculean to them and that sort of external anxiety isn’t helping you achieve your goals.
So, these are my four daily habits to stay motivatedI. I remind myself everyday of what I am working towards, set daily goals, take regular breaks, and try to make my work fun. What are your everyday habits to stay motivated?
