How to motivate yourself to complete pending tasks

You put off the task when you are afraid to complete it. Perhaps it seems to you difficult and tiring. However, in most cases you can enjoy the process. To get the necessary motivation, remember how you feel during the task.

Two sides of motivation

The Barking Up the Wrong Tree website (its name translates as “going the wrong way”, approx. Per.) Explains that there are only two ways of perceiving any task. The first way is “looking from the outside” , or how the task looks from the side of the observer, and the second - “looking from the inside” , or how it looks through the eyes of the performer. We tend to forget about the latter method, even if we did our work earlier. For example, an outside observer sees lawn mowing as hard work, while you enjoy listening to music while still practicing outdoors. The task does not look so bad as soon as we undertake its implementation. If you are struggling to find the necessary motivation to do the job, look at it with your own eyes:

There is a big difference between “looking from the inside” and “looking from the outside.” When we evaluate the task (even if we completed it earlier), then we go to the side of the observer. We forget about the emotional component. And what we loved to do now seems like a heavy burden.

I often have to read several books in preparation for the interview. And sometimes my reflex reaction is caused by a look from the side: “I have to read 450 pages before talking to this person ?! Ugh. " The irony is that I like to read when I'm in the middle of a process. For me, this is a state of "flow". If I do not remind myself of the positive emotions that I experience during reading, I will procrastinate. From the outside, it looks like “another hard work that I have to do.”



Of course, there are tasks that look awful on both sides. Cleaning the cat’s toilet comes to mind. Although, even in such a situation, you can still get some satisfaction from the work done, rather than letting it sit on your neck. Know that an easy way to get started is to change your view of the task.

When does external motivation benefit?

Some studies have shown that an excess of external reward in the presence of internal can lead to a decrease in internal motivation - a phenomenon known as the “effect of excessive justification.” In one study, children were rewarded for a game in which they had time to show interest and soon they became less interested in it. Children began to perceive the game as work for which they were “paid”.

In some situations, external motivation may be useful, for example:

- external rewards can cause a person’s interest and participation in that area of ​​work in which he was not originally interested;
- external rewards can be used to motivate a person to acquire new skills or knowledge. Once these early skills are learned, he can become more internally motivated and continue his activities;
- external awards can also be a source of feedback, which will let a person know when their performance has reached the level required to consolidate the standard.

External motivators should be avoided in situations where a person has already found a useful activity for himself. In this caseexternal encouragement can transform work from pleasurable to real torture.

Is it always necessary to motivate yourself?

Most people assume that intrinsic motivation is suitable for any situation, but this is not always the case. In some cases, people simply do not have any inner desire to do a certain thing. Excessive external promotion has its drawbacks, but when used properly, it becomes a useful tool. For example, external motivation can be used to force a person to complete a work or homework for which he does not have any internal interest.

Motivation is completely individual for each person. This is the most powerful tool for achieving goals, but only if it arises in the heart. What moves you on the path to the goal should belong to you.Only you can have full ownership of the very motivator. You must work to achieve the goal, because it is YOU who want it and this is YOUR goal. Only in this case your perseverance and enthusiasm will be much stronger and stronger than if you worked for the sake of someone else.

Internal and external motivation

The very first question that you should ask yourself is: “WHO am I doing this for?” If the answer is “make other people happy” or “make them love or be more proud of you”, then you got the wrong source of motivation!

Many times I came across the wrong motivation when doing seemingly overwhelming projects. I just did not understand that external factors, external motivation and other people would not help me achieve my goals. Something more is needed. A strong push forward is possible only when only YOU want to achieve your goal. Sound too easy? At first, it seemed to me like that.

Of course, intrinsic motivation alone may not be enough. Often you need someone who can push you at the most difficult moment, re-inspire and support. Such an assistant for me was the SmartProgress goal achievement service . Here you can not only share your experience in overcoming the obstacles to what you want, but also find and read the stories of other people, as well as connect an experienced mentor who will facilitate the task two, or even three times. If you also have difficulties with motivation, then do not be too lazy to go to their website and publish your first goal. Believe me, in the age of modern technology, the fulfillment of the desired has never been so easy.