How do you motivate yourself?

Salome Martiashvili

1. Compare yourself to your own self, not others. Comparing yourself to other people and their achievements can kill the last ounce of motivation you may have, so avoid doing that. On the other hand, being in a competition with your own self will give you enough motivation boost you need to always keep going.
2. Start small. Big tasks or projects tend to have an intimidating effect on us, which can trap us in the cycle of procrastination. So in order to get things done, break that huge, daunting task or project into bite-size pieces. You’ll realize it’s much easier to tackle it that way.
3. Use another person as your motivator. Promise your friend or family member that you are going to finish something in a given time and also ask them to check up on your progress from time to time. This way, you won’t give up on the first obstacle since now you have to keep your word not only to yourself but to your loved one(s) as well.
4. Get motivation from people you don’t personally know. Nowadays, there are a lot of motivating podcasts, blogs, books, quotes, and success stories you can use as yet another source of motivation. Don’t get lost in “a motivational maze” though; sometimes interacting with such content can lead to inaction and worsening of procrastination.
5. Listen to energising music. Upbeat or inspiring music can boost your mood and make you feel happy. When you feel happy, it becomes easier to find the motivation you need.
6. Don’t fall victim to pessimism. It drains both your mental energy and motivation.
7. Profit from your failures. Don’t insult yourself if you don’t get the results you envisioned. Instead, reflect and ask yourself if that failure can teach you something valuable.
8. Envision the aftermath of your motivation. Imagine the positive feeling you’ll experience when you get things done.
9. Be grateful for what you currently have. When you are in a bad place, it’s easier to see everything through a negative lense. During such times, ask yourself what things you often take for granted but should be grateful for; it will help you to focus on things you have while recharging yourself with motivation and positivity.
10. Reward yourself after you accomplish something. It will give you the endorphin boost and refill your motivation again and again.