Do you sometimes – or perhaps all the time – find it difficult to be decisive or to move forward even when you want to and know it would be a good move? We all struggle with that at times or perhaps we did in our past. Learning some key steps in how to become motivated can change lives for the better. Here are some steps to help you be the conqueror over the cloud of procrastination that not only harms your productivity but produces more unhealthy stress in your life. Let’s look at these 14 ways to find motivation and purpose when you don’t feel like it.
1. Identify Your Purpose/Plan
Clarify what you want the outcome to be and determine that you will bring this to fruition. Whatever your past history, this is a new goal, a new plan, a new you. Do not entertain doubts or past failures in your thought patterns. Keep performance simple and clearly illuminated in your thought process. You are in control of your mind – keep focused. This will become easier as you grow stronger in determination and focus.
2. Set Goals
Even small projects must be planned in order to complete them successfully. Avoid allowing the clutter of several small unfinished projects to muddy the waters while processing the steps to finalize a new project. Perhaps this new endeavor is regarding a new job or accepting new responsibilities. Perhaps it is in producing a painting, writing a musical, or making lesson plans for a class. It doesn’t matter the financial involvement; it is the intrinsic value of setting and completing a goal that is important. Why? Because this is the foundation of your future productive life.
3. Define Your Vision
Is this a plan for your future and you need a nudge? Is this a plan for being able to make this very day an opportunity to grasp life with joy and purpose? Are you missing out on career opportunities as well as social interaction and personal growth? Think big. Enlarge your world mentally. Chart your course.
4. Produce a Plan
A written plan – be it scrawled on a napkin or produced as a visual with music added – gives us a thrust forward. It becomes a reality. We can poke it and prod it until the beauty of the idea evolves. This works equally as well for learning to get out of bed immediately when the alarm goes off as to making a presentation before the Board of Directors. A planned and thought-out offering is easier to see to completion.
Here again, some things need simple planning in the mind, i.e. take shower, eat healthy breakfast, arrive on time. It is the idea of becoming a planner and an organizer so as not to get hung up on the little things that ruin our day – like forgetting to dry the last load of laundry that includes all your clean socks.
5. Clarify the Vision
What we DO is not who we ARE. We are always more than any job, or hobby, or achievement, or failure. We are human beings fashioned in the image of God. His love for us doesn’t depend on what we produce. So, perhaps we should start by thanking God for the innate gifts we have been given, for the opportunity to use these gifts, and then ask for his guidance as we develop these talents. Let’s not miss an opportunity that God gives us by not rising to the occasion.
6. Stay on Goal
Are you a procrastinator? Easily distracted? I am easily distracted. Experience has taught me that multitasking and distraction results in a lack of completed tasks in a reasonable time. Studies show that multitasking reduces productivity by 40%. And that if you or I are convinced that multitasking makes us super-productive, we are super wrong. I thought I looked cool with my multitasking skills for years, not realizing that our brains can only focus on one task at a time according to neuropsychologist Cynthis Kubu, PhD. Another study found that just 2.5% of all people can multitask effectively. See, I told you I am easily distracted. So set goals, stay on goal, and get it done.
7. Avoid Procrastination
Some of the most creative people I know have been paralyzed in completing tasks because they procrastinate. The timing is never right. The mood is not perfect. The ambition rises not to the occasion. Perhaps you need some professional help in getting motivated. Help from someone with whom you are not emotionally tied. Someone who can help you get up, engage, and move forward. Working is so much less tiring than procrastinating. Break the project into smaller parts so that the joy of completing a portion spurs one on to the next piece of the plan.
8. Stay Positive
Communicate with others. Celebrate the small steps forward. Congratulate yourself and others on even small increments of completing a task. Watch that posture – shoulders straight, neck aligned, deep breath, and a smile. Not self effacing, yet rather an encourager for self and teammates. Positive vibes energize and connect with others. The plan flourishes. For more help, read my article 8 Ways to Improve Lack of Motivation and Depression.
9. Take Breaks
When tedious accountability pushes us to the point of dullness in thought and overall general fatigue, take a planned break. Walking around the block, breathing fresh air, a few Yoga stretches, and drinking a full bottle of water can refresh the mind and spirit as well as body. Delaying breaks can be tempting, but the entire team will benefit from these respites. Productivity and mental acuity will thrive. Read on for more of 14 ways to find motivation and purpose when you don’t feel like it.
10. Keep a Healthy Routine
Eat and sleep at regular times, if possible. Make this project a first step in a lifetime of being in control of the tendency to procrastinate – a temptation for most everyone. When we learn the difference it can make in our lives, when we win over that procrastination force in our lives, we will find that energy comes with completion of tasks and ideates new strategies and exciting creative programming.
11. Take Responsibility
If you have always lacked self-motivation and it is now a deterrent to your social and financial success, perhaps you would benefit with some counseling in that area. Take the responsibility of learning how to rid yourself of this burden that holds you back. One success at a time. Start with your sleep pattern. Wake, rise and be there. Avoid excuses. Florence Nightingale is quoted “I owe my success to never giving excuses or accepting excuses.” Pretty strong, huh? Don’t be the one who is always arriving late with “Oh, hey, I’m sorry but——.” Any excuse frequented becomes rather lame. And the day starts off with a little cloud.
12. Keep Completion in Mind
Do not make a project or a plan that has no completion date. It will never be finished. No, we don’t say never. But having a completion date gives us a mindset that leads us to a successful finish. We find the time; we look forward to the project; our mind is clear, concise, and creative. We show up and we succeed.
13. Show Up!
Remember to stay alert and hold firmly to all that you believe. Be mighty and full of courage. Let love and kindness be the motivation behind all that you do.
I Corinthians 16:13-14
- Stay Alert
- Hold Fast
- Be Courageous
- Let Love and Kindness be the Motivation Behind All that You Do
14. Know Your Source of Strength
When we are frustrated, discouraged, beat down, look up. You are not alone. God in heaven knows your need and wants to provide help, rescue, and salvation.
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10
The Bible tells us again and again that God will strengthen us, guide us, help us, and through Jesus will lead us to heaven. Thank Him for his love and grace as you watch the video below. Watch the GREAT NEWS FOR YOU video on this page!! We hope these 14 ways to find motivation and purpose when you don’t feel like it give you inspiration to live your best life!