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Motivation: The Scientific Guide on How to Get and Stay Motivated
The essence of motivation
Every choice has a price, but when we are motivated, it is easier to bear the inconvenience of action than the pain of remaining the same.
In other words, at some point, it becomes more painful to not do the work than to actually do it.
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Active inspiration
Motivation is often the result of action, not the cause of it. Getting started, even in very small ways, is a form of active inspiration that naturally produces momentum.
The Physics of productivity
Newton’s First Law applied to habit formation: Objects in motion tend to stay in motion.
Once a task has begun, it is easier to continue moving it forward. In other words, it is often easier to finish a task than it was to start it in the first place.
Scheduling motivation
Setting a schedule for yourself seems simple, but it puts your decision-making on autopilot by giving your goals a time and a place to live. It makes it more likely that you will follow through regardless of your motivation levels.
Building routines and rituals
- To become more creative: Follow a creative ritual before you start writing or painting or singing.
- To start each day stress-free: Create a five-minute morning meditation ritual.
- To sleep better: Follow a “power down” routine before bed.
Making motivation a habit
- Make the start easy: You shouldn’t need motivation to start your pre–game routine;
- While your routine should be as easy as possible to start, it should gradually transition into more and more physical movement;
- You need to follow the same pattern every single time: Eventually, this routine becomes so tied to your performance that by simply doing the routine, you are pulled into a mental state that is primed to perform.
The Goldilocks Rule
We experience peak motivation when working on tasks that are right on the edge of our current abilities. Not too hard. Not too easy. Just right.
Tasks that are significantly below our current abilities are boring. Tasks that are significantly beyond our current abilities are discouraging.
When motivation fades
- Consider every thought you have as a suggestion, not an order. And none of these suggestions are orders. They are merely options;
- Maintain perspective: Your discomfort is temporary;
- You will never regret food work once it is done.
SIMILAR ARTICLES & IDEAS:
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Money Doesn’t Motivate
Many people think money alone will be enough to motivate them, and whilst that may do so initially, it’s very hard to sustain financial motivation if the work you are doing actually drags.
Procrastinate Wisely
Procrastination gives you a break which is a good thing for your brain.
If you become distracted, it can be your brain’s signals that you should have a break. However, if you procrastinate all the time and don’t accomplish your daily tasks, it means that you should change something.
Change Your Routine Location
A new place makes your brain work in a fresh way and you’ll achieve the necessary results faster.
Our brain can get used to a routine, even to places and you work on autopilot. Of course, you’ll accomplish your tasks but they will not be creative.
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How to Get Motivated
Develop a Routine. Create a series of events that you always perform before doing a specific task.
- Step 1: Start by doing something so easy that you can't say no to it.
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Two types of motivation
Motivation is categorized into two basic types: Extrinsic and intrinsic.
- Extrinsic motivation is related to external forces like money or fame.
- Intrinsic motivation
Money as a motivation
Money as a tool for motivation is limiting at best, and the 'carrot and stick' approach many managers use to motivate employees is will actually achieve the opposite effect of what was intended.
Conditional rewards
‘If, then’ rewards or conditional rewards are when we promise to give something to an individual when they complete a certain task.
These rewards can have a negative impact on motivation as the employees lose the will to work on that task for the sake of working.
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