Finding motivation can be trying in times of uncertainty, change, and transition. But finding motivation becomes easier when we think about what creates high motivation. Motivation equals your perceived ability to complete a task plus the value you place on the outcome. Using this perspective can help to discover new tips to get some motivation during these transitional times. Though there are many things to try, below are a few tips that have helped me.
- Find out what motivates you.
This point can be taken in a couple of different ways. One of them is focusing on the outcome. If the task in and of itself is not motivating enough, attach another outcome to it that you value in some way. For example, using positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement. I may not care for the project I’m working on, but if I finish, I can promise myself a treat that I love. On the opposite end, if you are someone who responds better to negative reinforcement, develop a penalty that you would have to face if you don’t accomplish your goals.
Another way to treat this tip is to focus on your mood. One thing that helps my mood is motivational videos. Find influencers and videos that motivate you. Whether that be on social media or elsewhere, find content that you can relate to as well as addresses the motivation issues that you may face.
- Set attainable goals.
During this time, it’s important to assess our goals and to make them realistic. This transition has been filled with new limits and ways in which we are being pushed that we weren’t before. Therefore, our productivity may not be quite as much as what it was. This can be very unmotivating and discouraging. But adjusting the goals and expectations, and knowing we can accomplish a goal, can help motivation. In addition to this, it’s important to give ourselves grace as we change and set realistic expectations. It may be a smaller goal than what we once achieved, but we must remember that it’s ok.
- Be conscious of your self-talk.
When trying to motivate yourself, positive self-talk and positive thinking, in general, will help the situation more than we might think. Dwelling on the fact that we don’t want to do something becomes our focus and it becomes harder to do the work. But a shift in our mindset will cause a shift in our mood and will ultimately impact our motivation and productivity.
These tips are simple and some may take some practice to master, but they are all so very helpful and effective.
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