Motivation: getting under the skin

Unlike common thought, motivation is not a temporary emotion: it is the drive that compels us to take the action towards our goals. However, maintaining motivation can be challenging, especially when faced with a heavy workload or tight deadlines. A moment of self reflection can help us get an insight into our lack of motivation. As we prioritise our task and set achievable goals, we shall find joy in the task we perform and can also derive future benefits from them.

Preparing your mind to get motivated

“Whatever your mind can conceive and believe, you can achieve”, said Napoleon Hill. Having the right kind of mindset , interest and desire can propel one towards the goal. The primary prerequisite is a Learning mindset, burning with a zeal for knowledge. This needs to be bolstered with a learning Loop, wherein one has a continuity in the learning process. A resilient mind, which never gives up under any circumstances but works consistently towards the end goal, is imperative for one to thus learn and grow.

The young cricketer Yashasvi Jaiswal’s had faced a series of hardships early in his life. Living far from his family, he had no room of his own, and even water would enter the room on rainy days. However his desire to be a successful cricketer has made him known to all today. Even Gautam Adani hailing from a middle class family is today one of the richest and most successful, owing to his hunger to learn and strife to achieve greatness.

 

A tangible action plan to get motivated

Set a realistic goal to begin with. Next, divide your objectives into manageable chunks.Define what you want to achieve specific, measurable goals give you a clear direction and make it easier to track progress, providing a sense of accomplishment. Visualize success as you picture the scene when you accomplish the task. Creating a vision board for oneself is also helpful.Get inspired by motivating yourself through encouraging movies, books, or music. Establishing a daily routine can help build discipline. When certain actions become habitual they require less mental efforts, making it easier to get started even when motivation is low. Finally, reward yourself for completing tasks, as positive reinforcement can boost motivation.

 

The Extrinsic- Intrinsic tussle

Motivation could be extrinsic or intrinsic. When we wish to impress our parents by studying diligently for an exam, the motivation is external hence extrinsic.. Conversely, feeling charged when engaging in enjoyable activities is an example of intrinsic motivation, as the motivation comes from the action itself. Therefore it becomes very important to get past extrinsic motivation. We can try by rewarding ourselves with a break or clapping for ourselves when we accomplish a goal. Genuine motivation invariably comes from within. Therefore embracing the power of intrinsic motivation becomes key as we set out to accomplish your goals.

Staying motivated involves understanding your personal drivers, organizing your tasks effectively, finding enjoyment in what you do, setting realistic goals, and considering the long-term benefits of your efforts. By implementing these strategies, you can better manage procrastination and maintain a productive mindset.

 

About the authors

The article has been contributed by the following authors from St Anthony’s Convent School, Jaigaon: Esther Medongunuo Khro, Aakansha Banu, Bidhant Chandra Ghosh and Ananya Giri.