Where does self-motivation come from and how to increase it

What is self-motivation

This is an internal state that helps us start, continue and finish a certain action. It's why we eat when we're hungry, keep going to work to pay bills, and end relationships that no longer make us happy. Thus, almost every activity imaginable begins with self-motivation.

How to develop self-motivation skills

To strengthen self-motivation, you need to develop personal qualities and skills on which it depends. Here are some of them:

• Initiative is the ability to take responsibility and act before others do.
• ambition - the desire to achieve or accomplish something, but not for the sake of external rewards like money or prestige.
• Commitment to goals - diligence and perseverance in achieving results.
• Resilience is the ability to keep moving forward despite challenges.
• Passion for your work - the ability to enjoy the process of work.
• Zeal is the desire to try new things and take on new challenges.
• The desire to become better is the need to develop.
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• Self-efficacy is the belief that the actions performed will lead to the desired result.

How to increase self-motivation

Make the path to the goal more social

Harvard Business School study showedthat the only factor that drives employees to be more diligent is the desire to get closer to those around them.

When we hear the word “self-motivation,” we may think of a long to-do list or a busy schedule. In fact, staying motivated is much easier if you find ways to get close to other people. If you find it difficult to move towards the goal or have a business that given with difficulty, connect social connections to the process.

Find what works well

The same study proved: when we feel that we fully understand what we are doing, our involvement in the process increases. Sounds logical. When we are great at something, we are less frustrated and more satisfied with our work.

Experts have also found that we stay most engaged and motivated when we tackle moderately challenging tasks. Too complex reduce our self-esteem, and too easy cause boredom.

Satisfy natural desires

Two more incentives that we motivate, is the desire to get something that will improve the quality of our life, such as food or money, and the need to protect ourselves, such as our property or principles. Therefore, it will be helpful to remind yourself of these basic desires and think about what actions will help to fulfill them.

Get the right habits

Once we get used to doing something, it becomes much easier to continue. That is why the ability to form habits is very useful for increasing self-motivation. Book author "Nanohabits» BJ Fogg advises starting with very tiny steps and developing the habit gradually. For example, if you want to run a kilometer a day, start with 100 meters, then increase the distance to 200, then 300, and so on.

Determine Implementation Intentions

Implementation intentions are strategy planning in terms of "if - then", where "if" is a situational stimulus, and "then" is a planned response to it.

To determine your implementation intentions, you need to decide in advance that if event A does not happen, you will do B. For example, if a business meeting does not take place, you will spend this time working on a report.