Summary of What It Is, How It Works, and Where to Find It:
Motivation is not something that comes from within or requires passion or talent. It is a habit that can be cultivated through action, which creates momentum and progress, leading to empowerment and motivation. Motivation can also be improved by gamifying tasks, leveraging emotions, and embracing the struggles and trade-offs that come with pursuing meaningful goals. Procrastination is often a result of a rigid, narrow self-identity, and can be overcome by diversifying one’s identity and embracing failure as an essential part of growth.
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The Ultimate Guide to Finding Motivation: Unleashing the Motivational Beast Within
Introduction: Why Motivation Is So Hard to Come By
We all want to be motivated. We want to feel energized and excited about the things we do. We want to wake up in the morning with a sense of purpose and drive, ready to tackle the day ahead. But the truth is, motivation is not always easy to come by. In this article, we’ll explore the lies we tell ourselves about motivation, and how to break down those barriers to unleash the motivational beast within.
Action Is Both the Cause and Effect of Motivation
Most people think that motivation is a magical creature that we’re all chasing, hoping it will magically infuse us with the energy and drive to do what we need to do. But motivation isn’t some fairy that sprinkles you with pixie dust to get your ass off the couch; it’s actually the byproduct of taking action. This is what I call “The Do Something Principle” and I use it all the time when I’m not feeling very motivated. Let’s break this down.
Motivation Is an Emotional Problem with Emotional Solutions
Another key to motivating yourself is learning how to play with your own emotions. Our brains are wired to seek pleasure and avoid pain. By gamifying a task or rewarding ourselves, we’re essentially hacking our brains and tricking them into chasing those feel-good emotions. Embrace the fact that you’re a pleasure-seeking creature, and use it to your advantage.
Long-Term Motivation Is Found in Embracing the Struggles of Life
Here’s a brutal truth: it’s not about what you want in life, but about what you’re willing to struggle for. Lasting motivation doesn’t come from chasing shiny objects and grand visions; it comes from embracing the blood, sweat, and tears that inevitably come with pursuing something meaningful. By focusing on the values and the process, rather than the end goal, you’ll find that motivation becomes a natural side effect of the journey.
Procrastination and Our Identities
Procrastination isn’t just about laziness or poor time management. At its core, procrastination is actually about avoiding something that threatens our very identity. Addressing this requires redefining ourselves in broader, more flexible ways. By making room for the full spectrum of human experience—successes, failures, and everything in between—you’ll find that procrastination loses its grip on you.
Conclusion: Breaking Down Barriers to Unleash the Motivational Beast Within
Motivation is not just a feeling, it is a habit, a practice that we need to cultivate in our daily lives. It is not just something that we have or we don’t have, it is something that we create for ourselves. So, if you want to unleash the motivational beast within, don’t sit around waiting for it to knock on your door. Instead, take action, play with your emotions, embrace the struggles of life, and redefine yourself in new and creative ways. With these tools in hand, you’ll find that motivation is not so elusive after all.
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