It’s difficult to stay motivated at the best of times. Working toward a goal or dream that you value and know instinctively would make a major difference is your life seems like it should be simple, but taking action, being persistent during setbacks, and keeping your focus and concentration consistent until you meet your goal, well, that just isn’t easy.
There is a big difference between what is simple and what is easy.Being able to define a goal and make it happen are two different matters.
Throw in a global pandemic, social distancing, remote work, fear of contagion, anxiety about job loss…you have the ingredients for a recipe filled with motivation derailments. How can you use this time to your advantage and stay motivated on what matters most to you?
How can you use this time to your advantage and stay motivated on what matters most to you?
If it appears that I’m looking for the upside of this situation, I sure am. I’m a firm believer in a growth mindset and the work of Stanford professor, Dr. Carol Dweck. She describes the benefits of having a growth mindset on self awareness and success.
I’ve included this graphic by Nigel Holmes to describe the difference between a fixed and growth mindset along with a link to Dr. Dweck’s video outlining the power of YET, a path to a learning curve, and the benefits of a growth mindset on motivation.
Accordingly to PositivePsychology.com’s Motivation Cycle, there will be ebbs and flows in the strength of a goal’s power to compete with conflicting wants. Since motivation comes down to wants — wanting to change your thoughts, your behaviour, your concept of self, your environment and even your relationships, we will be regularly challenged with staying focused and vigilant when faced with competing wants. You may want to lose 10 pounds in a month, but your interest in food and relaxing could be crucial competing motivators that unconsciously sabotage your weight loss goal. The idea of losing 10 pounds seemed like a primary motivator and over time, you may lose interest, or lack the consistency of counting calories and exercising regularly. Your desire to relax or eat a big family dinner move from being a low priority motivator and supersede your motivation to lose weight.
When you add in the element of distraction and a change in routine associated with your current goal, it might seem like the effort required to push an elephant from a seated position to standing with nothing but a strip of dental floss for rope.
To keep motivated, you’ll need the following:
- a crystal-clear vision of your goal;
- why you want to achieve it and how that goal is connected to a value that is important to you;
- an understanding of how you’re intrinsically motivated by that goal so you can stick with it when the going gets tough;
- a growth mindset and an internal locus of control where you believe you’re in the driver seat and know that you have the ability to learn, grow and influence the outcomes;
- an understanding of your key motivational behaviours – what needs and wants drive your behaviour, emotions and actions; and
- you want your goal more than you fear it
It comes down to connecting with your goal in a way that you’re moved to take action and take personal accountability for your actions and have the mental strength to stick with your goal even in the face of failure, doubt, criticism and fear.
Wanting something isn’t enough. You are only what you do, not what you say you’ll do.
If you’d like to learn more or develop greater confidence, the ability to take action and stick with your goal, even in the face of distractions, obstacles and adversity, please sign up for my latest e-course, Supercharge Your Motivation. It’s an opportunity to learn anywhere, anytime with an unlimited, lifetime subscription.
Supercharge Your Motivation eCourse
