“I’m just waiting for motivation to strike, and then I’ll start this task”. Sound familiar? Perhaps you know this saying very well because you hear it a lot from the people you surround yourself with on a daily basis. Or perhaps you hear it a lot from the little voice inside your head. So many people put off tasks and jobs because they simply lack the motivation to do them, and they’re simply waiting for motivation to come to them. But what happens when it doesn’t come? We screw ourselves over with late assignments and deadlines long overdue.
It doesn’t have to be this way. There is no reason to simply sit and wait until you’re motivated enough to do whatever it is you need to do. You know why? Because you can make yourself motivated. Once you unlock the motivation from within, you won’t have to wait for it to come – you’ll have it on hand at all times.
Making It A Habit
Being able to stay motivated consistently is not a skill that can be built overnight. Sure, you can just try to feel motivated, but your efforts will most likely fade in a matter of days. That’s why it’s important to start with building a foundation, by making it a habit.
When we are young we are taught the basic steps to making good habits, such as having a support system, and starting small. But it also takes around 30 days of consistency (sometimes even more) to fully form a habit. This concept applies to making motivation a habit as well. But how does one even go about that?
Schedule It In!
Oftentimes we get stuck in a loop, thinking about when we’re going to do something but never actually getting around to it. Now although scheduling daily tasks is something many people already do, it is simple but very effective. Rather than just thinking about when you’re going to do something, WRITE IT DOWN. Put it in your planner, your reminders app, whatever will help you remember. And be specific. The more specific you are about the time you will do the task at, the easier it will be to start. If it’s a big task, split it up into smaller specific tasks. That way it will be easier to start, as it won’t be so daunting.
The reason why you want to make it easier for yourself to start something is because once you start it’s a lot easier to finish. Once you’re working, motivation comes by easily and you’ll find yourself done a lot faster than expected. So if you make it easy to start something, it will be easy to finish.
By scheduling everything very specifically, you’ll be more likely to start. And as previously mentioned, just starting is what motivates you the most.
Consistent Routines Are Key
Consistent routines are important to maintain. When there is a lack of structure and routine, there is a lack of concentration. There is also an added feeling of stress, and you are more likely to feel overwhelmed. These feelings make it hard to be motivated, which is why it’s important to build a routine you will be able to consistently follow.
However, it can be overwhelming to make a routine and stick with it right away. Here are some concepts that can help you ease into it:
Build your routine overtime: It will be more stressful to stick to a new routine if there are many new elements you have to incorporate in your day. A routine is also a habit, and if you want it to last you have to start small. Start by incorporating a few things. For example, if you go to the gym everyday, set a specific time and follow through with following this routine. As it gets easier to stick to this, start incorporating more elements. Soon you’ll have a routine that is easy to stick to, and you’ll also find that you’re more consistently motivated.
Set aside time for yourself: A routine doesn’t mean you have to always be working and staying busy. Make sure to set time aside for yourself, so that you can relax or practice self-care. If you aren’t able to find time to do so, you won’t be able to get motivated to follow a routine or start a task. So it is important to set some time aside and give yourself moments to breathe.
Schedule in sleep: Getting enough sleep is important in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but it is also important in regards to being motivated. If you aren’t getting enough sleep, you won’t be able to stay focused and concentrated. When you’re planning out your routine or scheduling your day, the first thing you should schedule is sleep. Be specific about the time you’ll go to sleep and the time you’ll wake up. This way, the other things you have to do will be forced to work around your sleep, not the other way around. Getting a good night’s rest should be a priority, as it will make everything else easier.
Waiting for motivation can be tiring, but there’s no reason to let it’s absence overwhelm you. By scheduling in motivation, making it a habit, and building consistent routines, you can make the motivation come to you! Staying motivated won’t always be easy. But with these strategies, you can set yourself up for greater success, and you’ll find yourself waiting around less and less.
