At one point or another everyone lacks the motivation to do something. Lacking motivation is not necessarily a problem - unless of course it becomes a constant theme of your life. When you lack the motivation to get up in the morning, something is definitely amiss.
If you're someone that feels they are always motivated then my hat goes off to you! You are one of the lucky ones. You've found that perfect level of inspiration, dedication and perspiration. But for most people (and most students) the feeling of low or no motivation is a really challenging issue.
If motivation is not present in the individual, simple uncomplicated tasks have a nasty habit of becoming huge complicated problems - ones that can end up being avoided for days (and sometimes weeks or months!) So how does this happen?
Well, when you feel 'motivated', it's easy to stay focused over a long period of time and work diligently towards your goal. However, when you are not feeling 'motivated' you will have virtually zero focus and the chances you will even start the task are minuscule. Either that or it will require someone threatening you with something before you'll get started on your work (like a parent taking away your iPad or a teacher removing you from the class). That's not a great way to get motivated!
As a general rule, most people are operating on the base level of motivation - which is fear of negative consequences. What do I mean by this? Well, we act out of concern about what will happen if we don't act. For example, you may complete your homework because if you don't you will be grounded. You may strive to get an A on your Maths test because if you don't your average will drop which will impact your ability to get into University or College. It's not necessarily a "bad thing" but it's the way we are conditioned to behave.
If there were no consequence for not doing your homework, or not doing exercise, or not following the laws - what would happen? It would create chaos wouldn't it? Why would anyone do anything they didn't "feel like doing"?
Fear of negative consequences (i.e. negative motivation) is important in the world. We need to have rules and social conventions. We need to treat each other with respect. But that doesn't mean you should operate your entire life this way. There is more to life than just constantly doing what everyone wants so that they (and society) will be happy with you. That's not a joyful life experience.
Acting only out of fear of consequences will not lead you to a positive and happy life. It will lead to "existing" - and existing is not the level of motivation you will need to take you to where you really want to go - all the way to the top (of whatever it is you want to do)!
Real motivation is borne out of a possibility. A possibility of what may happen from taking a certain action. The possibility of what can be created. For example, when you ask a girl or guy you like for their phone number, you are living into a possibility. The possibility you may get to go out on a date with them! Sure, you may not succeed. You may get shut down. But so what? The power of living into a possibility drove you to take that action. If you act out of fear, you probably won't ask for the number or take any action and you'll just feel regret. Why? Because fear of negative consequences (like being embarrassed or laughed at) won the day. By living in fear you don't really live. By living in fear you don't feel the amazing power of real motivation.
So the next time you are doing something (anything) ask yourself "Am I acting out of fear, or out of possibility?" You may be very surprised by the answer.
If you're someone that feels they are always motivated then my hat goes off to you! You are one of the lucky ones. You've found that perfect level of inspiration, dedication and perspiration. But for most people (and most students) the feeling of low or no motivation is a really challenging issue.
If motivation is not present in the individual, simple uncomplicated tasks have a nasty habit of becoming huge complicated problems - ones that can end up being avoided for days (and sometimes weeks or months!) So how does this happen?
Well, when you feel 'motivated', it's easy to stay focused over a long period of time and work diligently towards your goal. However, when you are not feeling 'motivated' you will have virtually zero focus and the chances you will even start the task are minuscule. Either that or it will require someone threatening you with something before you'll get started on your work (like a parent taking away your iPad or a teacher removing you from the class). That's not a great way to get motivated!
As a general rule, most people are operating on the base level of motivation - which is fear of negative consequences. What do I mean by this? Well, we act out of concern about what will happen if we don't act. For example, you may complete your homework because if you don't you will be grounded. You may strive to get an A on your Maths test because if you don't your average will drop which will impact your ability to get into University or College. It's not necessarily a "bad thing" but it's the way we are conditioned to behave.
If there were no consequence for not doing your homework, or not doing exercise, or not following the laws - what would happen? It would create chaos wouldn't it? Why would anyone do anything they didn't "feel like doing"?
Fear of negative consequences (i.e. negative motivation) is important in the world. We need to have rules and social conventions. We need to treat each other with respect. But that doesn't mean you should operate your entire life this way. There is more to life than just constantly doing what everyone wants so that they (and society) will be happy with you. That's not a joyful life experience.
Acting only out of fear of consequences will not lead you to a positive and happy life. It will lead to "existing" - and existing is not the level of motivation you will need to take you to where you really want to go - all the way to the top (of whatever it is you want to do)!
Real motivation is borne out of a possibility. A possibility of what may happen from taking a certain action. The possibility of what can be created. For example, when you ask a girl or guy you like for their phone number, you are living into a possibility. The possibility you may get to go out on a date with them! Sure, you may not succeed. You may get shut down. But so what? The power of living into a possibility drove you to take that action. If you act out of fear, you probably won't ask for the number or take any action and you'll just feel regret. Why? Because fear of negative consequences (like being embarrassed or laughed at) won the day. By living in fear you don't really live. By living in fear you don't feel the amazing power of real motivation.
So the next time you are doing something (anything) ask yourself "Am I acting out of fear, or out of possibility?" You may be very surprised by the answer.
About the Author:
HelpMeToStudy.org is the leading resource for learning new study skills, transforming your studying habits and finding the best study tips available. We will help you change the way you think about study - and even better - we will show you how to study effectively: How To Study Effectively | Motivate Me To Study
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