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When the Going Gets Tough… Self Motivation
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Self motivation literally means enthusiasm or drive. It is the driving force that keeps people to push through even when the going gets tough sometimes. The root of self motivation is desire. It is the desire that drives you to value things and to identify what’s relevant or irrelevant.
You can see the good results of self motivation from people who are already successful in their life. Moreover, people who are poorly motivated are those who suffer from the so-called inferiority complex. People who suffer from inferiority complex are those who are not confident of themselves.
According to psychologists, you have different kinds of desires. And all these desires are attributable to your desire to stay alive. In essence, self motivation is more involved with a man’s emotions. It implies a positive feeling that keeps people from doing things. These people who are highly motivated are described as enthusiastic individuals. They are optimistic - they don’t give up easily in reaching for their goals.
In layman’s terms, self motivation pertains to determination. But if you would delve deeper into the actual meaning of self motivation, it’s beyond that. self motivation can be understood completely when you study the different factors that affect it. Hence, this brings you down to the study of the various kinds of self motivation theories.
1. Maslow’s Theory - Abraham Maslow is known for his humanistic theory. This theory of motivation states that the behavior of humans can be understood by means of their needs. Humans act depending on what they need. He devised the so-called hierarchy of needs. The needs of all individuals are distinguished into four main classifications namely: physiological needs, safety needs, belonging needs, esteem needs, self-actualization and deficit needs.
2. Herzberg’s Two Factor Theory - this theory is devised by Frederick Herzberg. According to Herzberg, human motivation is influenced by two factors. These two factors are the hygiene factors and the motivation factors. These factors greatly influence a person’s motivation in the workplace especially when it comes to job satisfaction. Such factors are fringe benefits, relationship with coworkers, physical environment, challenge, and many more.
3. Alderfer’s ERG Theory - Clayton Aldefer has expanded the humanistic theory of Maslow. This results in the theory of motivation called ERG theory. ERG theory deals with the human needs that affect any person’s behavior and way of thinking. The ERG stands for Existence, Relatedness and Growth. Existence includes the physiological and safety needs of people. The Relatedness pertains to the need of people for love and sense of worth while the Growth in this theory is all about the need of humans for self-actualization.
4. Cognitive Dissonance - is the motivation theory proposed by Leon Festinger. This theory discusses that a person is dissatisfied because of unsuitability between two ideas. For instance, you want to buy a perfume, but there’s the tendency that you feel that this perfume is appropriate or inappropriate for you.
5. Self-determination Theory - this theory is conceptualized by Edward Deci and Richard Ryan. This focuses on the concept that humans are motivated because of the encouragement they get from their environment. This theory has identified that the factors that has a great effect to the way people behave is self-sufficiency, positive feedback from people around them and the need for belongingness.
6. Achievement Theory - this theory is states that humans have three basic needs that greatly affect their behavior. These needs are the need for accomplishment, authority and attachment.
7. Goal-setting Theory - this is all about the energy of an individual to reach his goals. The accomplishment of his goals is shaped by three important elements such as convenience, problems associated with achieving your goals and the accurateness of the goal itself.
How do you keep yourself self-motivated?
Self motivation can be tough. But its very important. And our interest in a particular thing falls with time. How should I keep myself motivated in such a situation? I have started and restarted many things…like karate, yoga, a new website, my blog….and many other things..only to leave them in between…either due to lack of motivation or because I get bored of them.
I even tried making new timetables many times…even they don't go far… I get into new things, but soon see their flaws and how "other things" could have been better..leave the original thing behind.. and start with the "other" new thing…but eventually leading it to the same old fate.
Any suggestions for this….how should I keep myself motivated throughout the job and also persistent…
It seems like you get bored easily. I know for myself I stay motivated by making to do lists and having a pay off when I finish something. If i know there is something to look forward to in the end or at the end of the day it makes things all the worthwhile. Motivation comes with a joy in what will happen at the end. Knowing there is a pay off can be good for you and help you stick with things
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I know its cliche but the grass isnt always greener on the other side of the fence.. Stick with what your doing.. Trust me persistance pays off..
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So those are the things you haven't stuck with. What about all the things that you have completed or still have an active interest in?
I once saw myself as having a similiar problem. I would start stuff, get bored and leave it lay, tripping over it and saying "oh gee, I guess I should finish that" and then feel a little guilty because I really don't want to. Then I started to face the facts. Okay, I started this and I no longer want to continue because I am no longer interested. Then I get rid of it so it doesn't clutter my space. It's okay to leave things behind in your quest to find something that does hold your attention.
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CONFUSISOUS SAY: MIND OVER MATTER…IF YOU DON'T MIND IT DONT MATTER>>>>>GO GET 'EM TIGER !!!!!! YOU CAN DO IT!!
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ANCIENT CHINESE PROVERB…
I feel a good way to stay motivated is to know that the path is not going to be smooth, and there will be times when you might get bored, or you might find it too challenging and you will feel like giving up. When you stay mindful, and see that it is getting challenging or u r losing interest, that is exactly the time when you need to think positive and take up the challenge again! maybe break it into manageable pieces, or take a short break and come back to it. But if the goal means something to you then keep pursuing it. And it is OK to change your course too. If I start with A but I think I like B better (which might be connected to A or a completely different thing) pursue it. Keep experimenting. But make sure u r changing paths for a good reason.
Like, say, if u like the job, but you dont feel like going to work, or don't like some aspects of this job, but the job in its overall sense still means something valuable to u (not in terms of money, but in terms of your interest in the field) it doesn't mean you should quit.
Or say, a relationship. Do you quit when you have a disagreement or fight? No right. When we love a person, even if take a break to cool-off, we come back. And we learn to scale those challenges like boredom or talk things out to iron out points of conflict.
I think it also helps to keep a book on hand with u, or some reading material that keeps you going. Read it first thing in the morning, every day. I especially like Robin Sharma's work. Go to his website robinsharma.com and you will see what I mean. His words are very motivating and inspiring.
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Don't overload yourself with so many things to devour at once.
Take your time to do each task in small amounts as opposed to larger chunks of too much information.
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