Do you ever have those times where you are in need of some extra motivation? There are things you know you should take care of, but you are just having some trouble kicking things into gear.
We can be one of the most productive people in the world who is on task 99% of the time and still have times where we don’t feel motivated.
And, honestly, that is more than okay. It doesn’t mean we are not a hard worker or that we are not disciplined or passionate about what we do. It just means that sometimes we need a little boost and it is time to tap into our energy reserve and get a jolt of motivation that will propel us forward.
So, exactly how do you go about doing that?
In many instances, when we are feeling less than thrilled or not motivated to do something, we may think our lack of motivation is caused by the undesirable nature of the thing we need to do. We may have framed something in our mind to be boring, difficult, tiring, monotonous, or just not anything we really want to do.
The problem however is not with what we need to do, but how we are looking at the task.
The possibility of Today:
When you are in need of some extra motivation, the best thing you can do is shift your attention from “what” you are doing and direct it to the “how”. How are you going about doing something? How is the quality of your performance?
Instead of focusing on your lack of motivation, or your thoughts about the task, you just start doing the task and turn all of your attention to ensuring you are doing it with the utmost quality. The quality of your performance should be at the top of your mind and your number one priority. How can you do whatever you are doing in the absolute best manner possible? Focus on pouring all of your positive energy into how you are doing it.
Now it may seem it would be difficult to pour your positive energy into something when your motivation level is low. However, if you can just start the task and immediately direct your attention to the quality of your performance, it is amazing how that jump starts things into the right gear. You don’t think about all the reasons why you dislike a task or how much you are not in the mood to do something, because you are focusing on how you can do this task with the highest quality and pay attention to each detail. You focus intently on what is in front of you and give it everything you have to do it in the best way.
You should be totally into what you are doing and really concentrating on every aspect, regardless of if what you are doing is just a little task (like cleaning your bathroom) or something big (like completing a work project). On a scale of 1 to 10, you should feel the quality of your performance is a 10. It is all about totally concentrating on what you are doing and the quality of your actions to complete the task.
When we shift our attention in this way, it is amazing how the joy of just doing something really well transforms any disinterest or lack of motivation we may have had. The high quality of our actions and our high level of concentration and productivity will overshadow any undesirable feelings about the task we may have originally had.
There is positive energy that just naturally flows from being productive and doing anything in a high quality manner.
Why?
Because in order to really do something with the highest of quality, you have no choice but to completely concentrate on what you are doing and this requires your mind to be still and singularly focused on whatever is in front of you. Our attention automatically shifts to the present moment right where it should be and we are completely focused on the task we are doing. And, when we are able to perform in this manner, we are able to tap into a lot of positive energy we may not have even realized was there.
So, the next time you feel you are in need of a little boost of motivation or some good positive energy to get things going, turn your attention and focus to the “how”. How can you go about doing the task with the utmost quality and attention? Focus on every step and doing every step the absolute best you can … you will be amazed at the results you get and how great you feel … that is the alternaview.
Here the key, make a list of positive and feel good things in that thing. Don’t say there is nothing interesting and feel good. There certainly is. Everything is made up of energies. Make sure you’re putting in the positive energy out and you’ll want to do that things.
Jaky: Thanks for the comment and stopping by. I think you are so right that if you can just make sure you are putting positive energy out it will get things moving in the right direction. It will impact how we go about doing things and also allow us to tap into our passion and motivation. Great point. Thanks for sharing it and thanks again for stopping by.
Hi Sibyl,
I love how you say, “The problem however is not with what we need to do, but how we are looking at the task.” I think you have nailed the problem that we have on the head. We may not be as motivated or as productive as we would like to be because of the way that we approach a task. As I read through the suggestions you make on getting motivation, I had the following thoughts which I shall share.
I think that your approach is correct when you say we should focus our attention on doing something well. I once read somewhere that we could set a timer for 5 minutes and just force ourselves to do something with our heart and soul during these 5 minutes. After the time is up, we can stop with an easy conscience if we so wish. But more often than not, we would carry on because getting started is the hardest part.
Thank you for sharing this alternaview!
Irving the Vizier
Thanks for the comment and stopping by. I really appreciated that approach you shared and I think it is right on point. If we can just get ourselves started and really focus on doing something well and to the best of our ability, we can get all of our positive energy stirred up and focused in the right direction. After that, everything else just kind of falls into place and before we know it, we have tapped into our passion and motivation. Thank you for the great comment. Much appreciated.
Hi Sibyl,
Wonderful and insightful post. We can choose how we react to what is right in front of us. I love the idea of focusing on the how instead of the why. It’s all about one foot in front of the other. Thanks for the positive energy Sibyl!
Dandy: Thanks for the comment and stopping by. I like how you put it … it really is all about putting one foot in front of the other. That is so true and if we can just focus on how we are taking steps, I think everything unfolds in the most amazing ways. Thanks again for the comment and stopping by. Much appreciated.
Great post. Wonderful Incite…Keep it up!
Jonathan: Thanks so much for dropping by and thanks for the comment. Much appreciated.
Hi Sibyl, this is such an important topic and it really does come down to what we focus on. This was so right on the mark: “If you can just start the task and immediately direct your attention to the quality of your performance, it is amazing how that jump starts things into the right gear.” I’ve been working on Ready, Fire, Aim because it’s easy to get all caught up with the “Aim” phase instead of taking action.
Jonathan: Thanks so much for dropping by and sharing your thoughts. I think what you shared made perfect sense about it being easy to get all caught up with the Aim. That is such a good point. We really do have to always make sure we are moving things forward and doing what we need to. Thanks again for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Much appreciated.
Hay Thats some Really useful Tips – Ive noted them in my Personal development Tool kit, Directing the mind and your motivation levels is as important as Learning to Walk
Thank Lloyd
Hey Lloyd: Thanks for the comment and stopping by. So glad that you found the tips useful. Much appreciated.
Sibyl,
This is just what I needed to read today, I have task I’ve been putting off doing. Thank you.
Angela: So glad to hear that it was what you needed to hear. I hope that you find it really helpful
Great insights here. I especially resonate with the bit about changing the focus from what to how.
I enjoy making wooden furniture. I dislike sanding. But I know that if I do a poor job of sanding, I’ll be disappointed with the piece once the finis is on. So I must sand, and do a good job of it. So I focus on the end result and not the task at hand.
As you say, once begun it’s not so bad.
Allan: Welcome to the alternaview. Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. I appreciate your comment and it is so true … it is all about placing your focus on what is positive about what you are doing so you can pour all of your passion and energy into it. Thanks again.
Hi Sibyl,
Very nice post! Concentration plays an important part. If we focus and concentrate on the present time to do the task the best we can and start doing it, we tend to get motivated. One of the best things that I personally use to motivate myself is remind myself of the benefits that I’m going to get. This helps to motivate me all the time. Thanks for sharing
Dia: Thanks for the comment. I totally agree with you that it is all about putting your mind where it should be and really engaging with the present moment. It makes perfect sense that if you are understanding there will always be benefits to what you are doing and totally giving it all you can, you will get great results. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. Much appreciated.
Oh I definitely agree with this. When you start focusing on results, whether it be money or status, you start to produce poor results. Just look at athletes for an example. When you focus on quality, you get in the flow and a Zen-like state, and you pretty much dun have to worry about results because they will take care of themselves.
Dr. Natura: Welcome to the alternaview. So glad that you stopped by and shared your thoughts. It really is all about getting into the Zen-like state where everything just flows magically. If you can just focus your mind on what is in front of you, it is amazing how you can just snap into this great state of mind. I think that is a really important point you made. Thanks for sharing it.
Good Morning Sybyl!
Well, I have this clock in front of me that has been getting a lot of “how” lately in restoration. One thing I have done in life is that of being a watch/clockmaker. The intense and relaxed focus of “how”…each precise move. Applying the “how” via experience from past procedure. Then there is always the clock or watch mechanism that has never been worked on before…”how”… most needed here.
“The problem however is not with what we need to do, but how we are looking at the task.”
One thing I was told to do by the watchmaker (he had 60 years of experience) that taught me. When the “Gremlins” started to show up I should walk away from the project…then return when I have a different focus. I’m sure “how”… he could of also used instead of “focus”.
Sybyl, make sure to get over to Tess’s “50 Quotes” and load up!
Thank you so much for this ‘timely’ article!
Rand
Rand: So glad that you appreciated the article. I can only imagine how much precision and attention is required when making a clock. Sounds like a perfect way to pour yourself into what is in front of you and really experience the current moment. Thanks also for the recommendation to check out Tess’s 50 quotes. I am on my way over there now.
Is this part of the new field called “Positive Psychology”? I’m a person who constantly need to be pushed. Most of the time I don’t have the initiative. I love to laze around until a impetus arises before I get compelled to action. I remember when I first started going to the gym. There were times when I didn’t feel like going. But then once I broke that feeling of amotivation, the positive feeling would start to set in.
Anne: Thanks for the comment and dropping by the alternaview. I don’t know for sure if the field of “Positive Psychology” would claim this, but I definitely think focusing on the task in front of you is great for the mind
I had the exact same problem and experience with working out. Once you really get into what you are doing, it just seems natural and you get an extra boost of energy. It is all about doing whatever you can to pour your positive energy into the present moment and what you are doing. Thanks again for the comment. Much appreciated.
That is a great tip, Sybil. A very Zen-like solution anyone can adopt. A great benefit to this is when we give 100% attention to whatever we are doing – all of a sudden it no longer feels like “work”. I love getting lost in my writing or reading – I consider that a spiritual experience. And it also true that becoming lost in a chore like doing the dishes is an equally spiritual experience.
Rob: I totally agree. There is definitely something to be said about the Zen-like state you can get into when you are pouring all of your passion and energy into what you are doing. It really delivers you a great peace of mind. I am still working on getting lost in the chore of doing dishes
Thanks for dropping by and thanks for the comment.
I like the way how you rationalized it’s what’s right in front of you that counts.
J.D. Thanks for the comment and isn’t it so true that it really is all about what is right in front of you. If you can just place your attention there, it is amazing how great your results will be and how wonderful your peace of mind will be.
Thanks for some great tips on mantaining our motivation. I agree that by staying in the present will help you maintain you focus. Do what you can while you can and the rest generally falls in place. Keep it simple work on one thing at a time and you will get a lot more accomplished.
Great Job Sibyl.
thanks!! i really like your blog!
continueee like this ! thanks agaun