We all know the difference between being motivated to do a task, and forcing ourselves through a process because we have no motivation to do it. The end result might be the same – if we’re lucky – but if we’re not motivated, completing the task will feel arduous. We’ll be slower, less productive, more stressed, and feel less fulfilled when the work is eventually done.
Staying motivated is about more than just trying to keep a positive mindset. It’s also about more than checking out a few inspirational memes on Instagram every day. Some people even believe that we’re becoming addicted to memes, and that they’re getting in the way of productivity. Keeping your motivation is a conscious decision you make, and it involves effort and positive reinforcement. It isn’t always easy – especially when things aren’t going well – but a motivated individual can get more work done faster, and is more likely to turn a bad situation around than someone working without motivation. We’ve compiled a few tips that you can fall back on if you’re struggling to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Adopt A Mobile Slots Mentality
What do we mean by this? Well, we’re not recommending you actually log on to a mobile slots website or related casinos and play slots games; not on your work time, anyway! We’re talking about how mobile slots work. No slots player ever expected to win on their first spin. It happens occasionally, and they’re delighted when it does, but it’s never their expectation! Winning at mobile slots involves repeating your bet over and over again until a winning combination turns up on the reels. When that happens, the mobile slots game pays out, and you’re happy with the results of your efforts. This is exactly how you should feel about chipping away at a repetitive or slow task. You might not get your reward immediately, but you know that if you keep going for long enough, you’ll be a winner. Mentally prepare yourself for that jackpot feeling. Keep spinning your reels.
Identify What You Can And Can’t Control
Worrying about things that are outside our sphere of control is one of the most negative habits we can get ourselves into. If you allow your mind to focus on those things, you’ll feel stressed, and you’ll lose focus on the things you can control. As hard as it might be, we need to push those things we have no control over to the backs of our minds, and devote our efforts to whatever it is that we have full autonomy over. This is easier said than done, which is why websites like WikiHow have extensive guides on how to go about it. As a starting point, write up your plan for dealing with a task before you begin it, list all the things you have no control over, and completely remove them from your action plan. Don’t check on them, don’t monitor them, and don’t let them clog up your thought processes.
Embrace Your Mistakes
Mistakes happen wherever human beings do any work. It’s inevitable, and even with the best preparation in the world, we will all make a mistake eventually. When that mistake has been made, it’s done. You cannot undo it. Regretting the mistake and dwelling on the mistake is a waste of your time. Identify what you could have done differently to prevent the mistake, and make that part of your plan next time you face a similar task. If the mistake can’t be rectified, move on from it as soon as you’ve made that identification. If the mistake can be rectified, set to work on rectifying it immediately. Regretting your mistake will only make you feel worse, and won’t do anything to solve the problem. The best way to apologize for a mistake is to fix it. If you can’t fix it, make a sincere apology, and then carry on with your business. You cannot change the past – you can only improve the future.
Always Celebrate Achievements
Nobody should be a workaholic all the time. When something’s gone well, you should always take the time to celebrate it, and to treat yourself. Whatever it is you love to do with your spare time, make sure you make plans to do it when you come to the end of a difficult piece of work. That’s your reward. With discipline and planning, you can train your brain to expect rewards only when hard work has been done, and success has been achieved. Suddenly, your work is no longer a chore – it’s merely a journey to your next reward. You don’t resent doing the work, because you know you have something to look forward to at the end of it. This might sound a little like the way people train dogs – and it is – but it also works on humans!
Stay Away From Negative People
This is especially important if you work as part of a team, or if you work in a large, shared workplace. Every workplace has people who hate their jobs, and are miserable in their place of work every day. They’ll always find something to complain about, and they’ll always be happy to share their complaint with you. They might even try to win you around to their way of thinking. Every negative person you encounter is a drain on your time and your motivation. Don’t entertain their conversations, and don’t be suckered into believing they’re right. If you hate your job, leave it. If you don’t hate it, then always seek the positive in it. Not only that, share the positivity with other people. If you can make your workplace happier, you’re less likely to encounter negative people in the first place. Positivity breed motivation, and motivation breeds positivity. It’s a happy cycle, and once you’ve started it, it’s a difficult thing to break.
Speak Your Goals Out Loud
The voice you trust more than anyone else’s is your own. If you hear yourself say something with sincerity and conviction, you’ll believe it. Don’t be afraid to confirm your goals to yourself in the mirror every morning. If you’re going to get through a mountain of work today, tell yourself you’re going to do it. If you’re entering into a difficult negotiation, tell yourself you’re going to win. Tell the world what you expect of it every single day, and face the day expecting it to happen. Be realistic with this – wishing for a million dollars won’t make it appear, but wishing for the opportunity to make a million dollars might help you to see possibilities you otherwise might have missed. Be your own life coach.
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