Scientists, teachers, and business leaders have spent a lot of time and money trying to find more effective ways to motivate people. However, one thing is certain. Self-motivation will always work better than external pressure.
Hi and welcome back to BarrWorld.com. Managers and employees sometimes have different opinions about what is need to motivate staff to operate at above average performance. Manager will sing the praises of the “new” incentive program while the employees see it as a form of punishment. And what do you get? Well we have all heard this old saying “Beating continue till performance improves”.
The challenge is that the only person who can motive you long term is you. So, today we are looking at the issue of self-motivation and how we can tap into this to make our lives better and how to tap into inner sources of inspiration and where to apply them.
How to Use Self-Motivation
1. Ask questions. Ask yourself what you would do if you were not getting paid or receiving any direct compensation. Think about the activities that spark your interest and provide gratification. Write them down.
2. Set meaningful goals. This line of questioning can help you identify your purpose. With your objectives in mind, you can set priorities and focus on what’s important. Write them down.
3. Challenge yourself. Aim for targets that are ambitious, without being impossible. Tasks that are too easy tend to become boring. On the other hand, it’s difficult to pursue a dream that seems too far out of reach. Break your goals into smaller targets or steps. This develops a plan of action. Write it down and work your plan.
4. Give yourself choices. We all like to feel some sense of control. Build a degree of flexibility into your plans. If you’re trying to practice your French, you may want to watch a foreign movie on the days you get tired of grammar drills. But don’t always do the easy stuff. Hit the hard things first and get them done.
5. Search for relevance. Even the most tedious tasks become more meaningful if you can relate them to your values. Pulling up weeds in your back yard reinforces your patience. Sometime you have to get through the tedious stuff to get to the great stuff.
6. Stimulate your curiosity. Fire yourself up by taking a fresh look at your surroundings. Spend time outdoors appreciating nature. Spend time playing with your children and pets. Ask a librarian to suggest books about a topic you’ve been curious about. Build downtime into your plan. You’ll feel better about pushing yourself on that tedious stuff.
7. Accept impurities. Experts debate whether or not human motivation can be completely intrinsic. Even if you secretly want a little public recognition, it’s still valuable to take pleasure in virtuous actions for their own sake.
8. Limit material rewards. Studies show that external payoffs can make things less appealing, even if we liked doing them in the first place. Delight in supporting a fundraiser for your local animal shelter, regardless of whether you win a raffle prize. While material rewards are nice, the internal reward is what counts. Remember your doing this for YOU. The reward, if you have one is a bonus.
9. Provide information. Then again, a recent study found that causal information is an effective reward. Boost your motivation by digging up more information about a project. Practical data has the biggest impact. Knowledge is power if you apply it.
Where Can You Apply Self-Motivation
1. Focus on learning. Many teachers and parents struggle to get kids interested in learning, as opposed to just getting good grades. As an adult, you can attend museum lectures, read classic novels, and conduct your own science experiments without worrying about final exams. You must learn to grow and you must grow to be successful.
2. Forget about pay day. Make a list of the benefits your job provides that go beyond your salary, benefits, and medical insurance plan. Post it somewhere where you can see it, and remind yourself of why you chose your line of work.
3. Get a hobby. Put your leisure time to good use. Pursue your interests and cultivate your creativity. You may discover more about yourself while you’re playing the violin or tending to your vegetable garden. This will help expand your mind and your creativity.
4. Think about others. Transform your relationships by emphasizing what you can give to others. Be willing to let your mother-in-law win an argument. Switch shifts with a coworker when she needs to take the afternoon off. They’ll be more likely to return the favor.
5. Value yourself. Consider how everything you do contributes to your self-esteem. Choose actions that honor your true worth.
Looking inside you for encouragement will make you feel happier and more accomplished. Rely on self-motivation to move ahead in life.
God Bless and we will chat soon.
Leave me a comment or if you have a question of email me at Percy@barrworld.com