W e’re assured from a young age that “we can do anything we set our minds to.” But what if your mind is working against you? How can you keep going?
We all have days when we want to escape to a tropical beach and rest. However, unless you want to abandon everything and become a travel writer, it is unlikely to be a viable escape strategy. A better option is to consider how you motivate yourself.
Sometimes it’s really easy to persevere. However, motivation can all too easily slip away. Especially if we fail at something.
Failing is not inherently bad if you learn from your mistakes. But there’s a difference between trying and learning and just giving up when things get tough or dangerous.
The Science of Perseverance
Don’t blame yourself if you want to run and hide from time to time; there’s a science behind it all.
You can be flying through a task only to become foiled by the details. It can be more complex and time-consuming than you imagined. On the other hand, you may be good at coming up with fresh ideas but lose interest in carrying them out. After the initial rush of enthusiasm, doubts set in, and you wonder, “Am I really up to the task?” Or are you thinking “Am I just lazy?”
Research shows that there’s more to it than this.
Scientists from the University of Winnipeg and the University of Manitoba claim in the Journal of Consumer Psychology that our motivation shifts as we go toward a goal. At first, hope and favorable outcomes motivate us. However, as time passes, we begin to focus on duties and the fear of unfavorable outcomes. And it is typically our fear that slows us down.
It has the potential to become a disheartening spiral. In your wake, you leave a trail of undone or badly performed jobs. And every morning, you lie in bed, pressing the snooze button on your alarm, plagued with the dread that you’ll never finish or accomplish.
We may never know how much we might accomplished if we tried.
Tips to Boost Your Motivation
Motivation is frequently the byproduct of an activity rather than its cause.
We have a tendency to believe that we must wait for inspiration or energy to strike us, and we become discouraged when it does not. Or we may believe we are doing something motivational or proactive when we are not. Watching a TED Talk, for example, may be inspiring, but it is not the same as taking action.
And we require action. Even the most insignificant efforts to get started generate momentum. It may be difficult at first, but you know what they say about getting the ball rolling and hard work paying off.
If you ever feel like you’ve reached a roadblock, consider the following advice. They’ll motivate you much faster than a kitten poster with a cheesy quote.
Make a List of Goals
Make a list of your goals and imagine how you’ll feel when you achieve each one, start small and focus on high-priority tasks.
The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones
Confucius
However, be cautious of multitasking. According to research, it takes a lot of mental work to refocus after being distracted. Another study claims that switching between tasks takes about 23 minutes to recover attention. The idea is to concentrate on one major aim at a time.
Exercise on a daily basis
Exercise produces endorphins, which can help to relieve stress and anxiety, boost mood, and improve sleep. Furthermore, a 2015 study found that aerobic exercise increases cognitive processes in a variety of ways, including the ability to learn and retain new information. Exercise also improves creative thinking, according to a 2014 study.
All of this adds up to a wonderful feeling. And sticking to your goals is lot easier when you feel rejuvenated and your body is at its best.
Make a plan and stick to it.
It is difficult to stay motivated. We must set our intentions and choose actions that will keep us on the correct track. They provide a critical structure that will keep us going, regardless of how we’re thinking or feeling on any given day – virtually automating the difficult thing we have to do.
Aristotle said, “We are what we repeatedly do,” Set aside time to work on your goals. Put them in your calendar and don’t schedule anything else during those times.
Identify your “Whys”
Why do you want to quit? Is it the anxiety about failing, or worry about what others will say or think? Boredom? Anger? Depression? Exhaustion?
Medical officials invented the phrase “give-up-itis” during the Korean War to describe the absolute apathy and loss of hope that followed a catastrophic trauma. A person suffering from this illness may literally will themselves to death, with no obvious physical cause. Of course, this is an extreme scenario, but it demonstrates the significant influence of our thoughts in remaining healthy and the importance of having something to strive for.
Find the worth in what you’re doing to determine why you want to continue. Is it assisting you in achieving an expanded objective or supporting others in some way? When you can see the rewards and significance of a work, you will feel more invested and passionate.
Find Some Mentors
It’s admirable to desire to establish your own path. However, productive, motivated people understand that everyone requires assistance along the road. So, choose a mentor, or more, and meet with them on a regular basis to discuss your goals and receive encouragement from someone who has been in the same position and knows how to get through it.
Open out to teammates, your leader, friends, and family as well. Mentors do not have to be specialists to provide guidance and serve as a sounding board. Knowing that others have “got your back” will raise your confidence, provide you with a new perspective, and assist you in staying on track.
Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
Albert Einstein said, “It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will, no matter how good you are. Draw inspiration from people around you, but don’t be too hard on yourself if you’re not on the same level in some areas. Don’t be swayed by the “greener grass” beyond the fence. Remember that no one’s life is perfect!
In our social-media-dominated society, this can be difficult. We often only notice the pleasant highlights of others around us – expensive vacations, “dream” careers, and flawless relationships. However, what you see on the internet is only half the picture. Everyone is going through their own challenges, and everyone, including you, has terrible days.
Take Good Care of Yourself and Think Positively
In anticipation of a reward, our brains release dopamine, which makes us feel happy. Keep track of your accomplishments and reward yourself along the way. Consume mood-enhancing foods. Do things you enjoy, listen to motivating music, and remember how far you’ve come.
Surround yourself with positive people who can assist you in getting into the zone. If you fail, instead of dwelling on your failures, search for learning opportunities.
One huge “but” – some conditions are indeed harmful to your health, and you should quit or give up in these cases. If going on is making you sick or truly miserable, it’s probably not the appropriate option. When this happens, changing course can be a wonderful way to rediscover your “mojo.”
Significant Findings on Never Giving Up
We all have days when we lose inspiration, so don’t be too hard on yourself when this happens.
It might be hard to tell whether we need to push a little harder or whether we are simply hitting our heads against a wall.
Analyze your purpose, your chances of success, whether you really need to accomplish it all alone, and what you’ll get from it. Find an appropriate balance between being kind to yourself and becoming your own boot camp leader!
You don’t have to wait for inspiration to come. To stay on track, you must work – take action, arrange your goals, and stick to your schedule. Also, be adaptable: we frequently abandon goals because we are unwilling to sacrifice our original expectations. Consider your “whys” and what you’re learning at all times. And if anything doesn’t feel right, feel free to change course.
