It’s easy to be motivated when something new presents itself to us. We can almost certainly find reasons to get excited, engaged, and focused when we start a new job, take on a new role, or begin an activity we are eager to invest ourselves in. Contemplating the pathway to success can consume us—for a while.
But after some time, responsibilities and tasks can become routine, and the overwhelming motivation that once was might become tampered with by the daily monotony of a familiar routine. To re-energize our motivation and keep enthusiasm for our now familiar job, role, or activity, consider the following three components of motivation:
Activation—the decision to do something. Intensity—the amount of effort that goes into doing it. Perseverance—how long you can keep up the effort.
Now, let’s look at ways to boost each of these components of motivation to create more enthusiasm for continued success.
Activation. Often, the mere idea or decision to do something can be the first roadblock we may encounter.
We sometimes find ourselves procrastinating because we are overwhelmed and unsure where to begin when our plates feel full. Using the importance versus urgency matrix to prioritize will help alleviate some of the stress of getting done what we know must get done. Cooperate with the inevitable. Consider what you need to accomplish each day or week, and then knock them out one task at a time, completing the most urgent first and then tackling the rest in the order of importance.
Intensity. The level of intensity we apply to confronting a project or task will be higher when we are intrinsically motivated. When we learn to focus on completing tasks regardless of the outcome or reward and do so because we crave the feeling of success from completing the task, we will find it easier to concentrate and stay motivated to do so. But, when we work under extrinsic motivation—wanting to earn a reward or receive recognition—the intensity of our work can easily wane. When we compete with ourselves, there is always room for growth and improvement.
Perseverance. It’s important to make sure we are in the right mindset to stay on track to complete our tasks. The work must get done, so put on a positive attitude, find that intrinsic motivation, and stepup your enthusiasm for success. Other ways to keep persevering include giving yourself a realistic deadline, taking necessary breaks, clarifying your goals, maintaining optimism, keeping things in perspective, and acknowledging your accomplishments along the way. Also, seek support where you must because sometimes it’s easier to push through when we feel like we aren’t alone. Keep your goals in mind, and don’t stop until you reach them.
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Remember, at the end of the day, these three components may have you on your way to continued motivation, but while you are working hard, don’t forget to also carve out some time for self-care, create some moments to laugh out loud, and celebrate your wins while you savor your success.
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