Ok, so you started well, with all the best intentions and things have been pretty plain sailing. But you’ve now started to fall off the wagon, you feel like you are stuck in a slump and any hint of motivation is slowly wasting away.
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Loss of motivation is part of a cluster of symptoms that happen when we are sad, feeling low, suffer a setback, lose a game and many other such scenarios. These emotions trigger a reaction that involves the urge to retreat, withdraw, and reflect, which is a normal part of a response that’s designed to keep us safe and protected.
Increase motivation levels by reminding yourself of how you felt at the beginning.
Nobody’s perfect and it’s time to start believing in this. It’s near impossible to be motivated all the time. Understand that even if motivation goes, it will come back again. Plus, failure is a positive thing, as success often requires many failed attempts.
Action drives Motivation more than Motivation drives Action.
You may be able to trick yourself into feeling motivated by changing your behavior. Act as if you felt motivated, and your actions may change your emotions. Ask yourself-“What would I be doing right now if I felt motivated?” Consider what you’d be wearing, how you’d be thinking, and what actions you’d be taking. Then, do these things, and see if your motivation level increases.
When you’re struggling with motivation, you’ll likely come up with a long list of reasons why you shouldn’t take any action. You might think, “It’ll be too hard,” or, “I’ll never get it done anyway.” These types of thoughts will keep you stuck.
Try arguing the opposite. When you think you’re going to fail, argue all the reasons why you might succeed. Or when you think you can’t finish a job, list all the evidence that shows you’ll be able to complete the task. Arguing the opposite can help you see both ends of the spectrum. It can also remind you that an overly pessimistic outcome isn’t completely accurate.
Pick up a very small productive task which will lift your spirits once you get it done. Motivation is fueled by the feeling of accomplishment.
If you start feeling demotivated, just close your eyes and imagine how it would feel once you achieve your goals. Visualize the benefits you will get after completing your goal.
It is easy to get demotivated as feelings come and go. The safer bet to achieving your goals is functioning in a disciplined manner. No matter how you feel, be disciplined and follow your routine and soon enough, you’ll see the results.
When people feel low, their concentration suffers too. Therefore, pick actions to improve your motivation that aren’t heavily dependent on concentration. For example, it might not be the best time for a goal like “read a book a week.” Likewise, it’s not the best time for ultra-intense goals that require all-day focus. When I feel low, I usually set my expectations at around half my usual output, but I try to make that twice as meaningful.
Check some basics that could be causing your feelings and mental state. For example, low Vitamin D, low iron, thyroid issues, or low B12.
Sometimes, we end up losing track of what matters to us. If you feel like you have lost your motivation to do things then simply revisit the reason why you started doing that particular thing in the first place. See if those reasons align with your current state of mind and if not, feel free to make adjustments and changes.
In conclusion. the next time you feel like your motivation is low or waning; consider the possible reasons why you’re struggling. Then, develop a plan to help motivate yourself to get going. Keep in mind that not every strategy works for everyone—or in every situation. Following the 10 ways mentioned can help with understanding, developing healthy coping strategies and reducing the time periods of those occurrences.
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