03/02/2020
Pushing Forward when You're Lacking Motivation
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In life we often wait until we feel like doing something to get it done, or until an external pressure pushes us into action. In the world of entrepreneurship there will be many days that you don’t feel like doing the activities you need to do, and many tasks that you’ll never feel like doing - your taxes, perhaps - but they need done just the same. How can we find the will to keep pushing forward in cases like these?
One important lesson is this: you don’t need to feel like doing something to get it done. You can feel tired, bored or distracted but still do the work that needs done. This is made easier when you have step-by-step processes to follow, and you can simply go through the motions without needing to feel hyped up about it. You can’t always rely on high levels of motivation to push you through the day - sometimes the steps just need to be taken.
Of course, being in a state of motivation and flow is useful. So when you can it is worthwhile to find ways to tap into this mentality. Exercise is a good way to get yourself in to a motivated state: you might not feel like putting on your running shoes or lifting weights, but after you’ve worked up a sweat you’re likely to feel pumped enough to keep that energy going and put it into something else (like finally doing your taxes).
Reminding yourself why what you are doing matters to you is another way to tap into your intrinsic motivation. This is the internal drive you have when you care deeply about something and are immersed in it; you don’t need any reward or incentive, you’re not forcing it, rather you’re driven from the inside. This is the type of motivation that is most valuable and worth cultivating by constantly focusing on the things that bring you into a state of joy and excitement whenever possible.
Contributor: Jason Philip