8 Steps To Continuous Self-Motivation

September 19 by | 47 comments | Featured, Productivity | Tags:
8 Steps To Continuous Self-Motivation

Many of us find ourselves in motivational slumps that we have to work to get out of. Sometimes it’s like a continuous cycle where we are motivated for a period of time, fall out and then have to build things back up again.

A good way to be continuously self-motivated is to implement something like these 8 steps from Ian McKenzie.

Keep a positive attitude: There’s is nothing more powerful for self-motivation than the right attitude. You can’t choose or control your circumstance, but can choose your attitude towards your circumstances.

How I see this working is while you’re developing these mental steps, and utilizing them regularly, self-motivation will come naturally when you need it.

The key, for me, is hitting the final step to Share With Others. It can be somewhat addictive and self-motivating when you help others who are having trouble.

8 mental steps to self-motivation – [Ian'sMessyDesk]

My 8 Steps

I enjoyed Ian’s article but thought it could use some definition when it comes to trying to build a continuous drive of motivation. Here is a new list that is a little more generic:

  • 1. Start simple. Keep motivators around your work area – things that give you that initial spark to get going.
  • 2. Keep good company. Make more regular encounters with positive and motivated people. This could be as simple as IM chats with peers or a quick discussion with a friend who likes sharing ideas.
  • 3. Keep learning. Read and try to take in everything you can. The more you learn, the more confident you become in starting projects.
  • 4. Stay Positive. See the good in bad. When encountering obstacles, you want to be in the habit of finding what works to get over them.
  • 5. Stop thinking. Just do. If you find motivation for a particular project lacking, try getting started on something else. Something trivial even, then you’ll develop the momentum to begin the more important stuff.
  • 6. Know yourself. Keep notes on when your motivation sucks and when you feel like a superstar. There will be a pattern that, once you are aware of, you can work around and develop.
  • 7. Track your progress. Keep a tally or a progress bar for ongoing projects. When you see something growing you will always want to nurture it.
  • 8. Help others. Share your ideas and help friends get motivated. Seeing others do well will motivate you to do the same. Write about your success and get feedback from readers.

    • What I would hope happens here is you will gradually develop certain skills that become motivational habits.

    Once you get to the stage where you are regularly helping others keep motivated – be it with a blog or talking with peers – you’ll find the cycle continuing where each facet of staying motivated is refined and developed.

    My 1 Step

    If you could only take one step? Just do it!

    Once you get started on something, you’ll almost always just get into it and keep going. There will be times when you have to do things you really don’t want to: that’s where the other steps and tips from other writers come in handy.

    However, the most important thing, that I think is worth repeating, is to just get started. Get that momentum going and then when you need to, take Ian’s Step 7 and Take A Break. No one wants to work all the time!

    • http://www.publicspark.com Tina Fukuchi

      This is an inspiring blog. I especially value and incorporate the “starting simple” because it’s hard to get started when there’s a lot on your plate. Thanks for the other key reminders!

    • http://slowdownfast.com/blog David B. Bohl at SlowDownFAST.com

      I love #5. This keeps things simple. I could complicate a straight line, so if I simply remember to assume responsibility and take action, rationalization, expectation, and fear seems to slip away.

    • http://chenpn.com pelf

      Just what I needed at the moment!

    • http://www.possibilitvirus.com Gus

      I’m a fan of #6… you might also enjoy The Eight Irresistible Principles of Fun http://www.eightprinciples.com which speaks to a similar way of looking at the world

    • http://www.positive-attitudes.com Mario Adi Saputra

      Hi,

      you have a great blog here! I’m just read your article about “Just How Important Is Self-Motivation In Selling?”
      I’m definitely going to bookmark you!

      I have a website which pretty much covers related with your blog here :

      http://www.positive-attitudes.com

      Come and check it out if you get time :>

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    • http://www.technotheory.com/ Nathan Ketsdever

      Great list. I’m a big fan of four through six.

      I would add:
      9) Reward yourself for pro-active success.
      10) Baby steps.
      11) In addition to #8 I believe seeking out those with authority and experience for expertise, knowledge, and ideas can be helpful. As can speaking to those in your circle of friends. Of course both online and off line communities and networks can be leveraged to help.

      Thanks for a great post!

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    • http://www.mymindanswers.com James

      This is a very intresting article. I will definately apply some of these tips to my own life. For some other tips for self motivation check out http://www.mymindanswers.com/2008/02/achieving-your-goals.html

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    • http://amolife.com Valery

      Hi! I love your own list! And I agree that you should just do it! And the positive attitude is very important as well!!!
      I have quoted your post in my lens about self motivation. I hope my readers will enjoy your ideas as well!
      Keep on doing your great job!
      Warmly,
      Valery

    • Bob

      I weighed 450 when I 1st read this article, I now weigh 435 after 2 months being motivated to move more and eat right thanks guys!

    • http://www.selfhelpcollective.com/self-motivation.html Steve @ SelfHelpCollective.com

      Thank you for the great motivation tips. So good, that I decided to link to them from my own website! :-)

      Steve

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    • http://www.hottynews.blogspot.com nitish gupta

      interesting article and motivates a lot

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    • Arjun

      Just what I wanted to know. : )

    • dinesh22

      i like 4….look good in bad. follow ur heart self motivation is a art.

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    • http://www.andinia.com/indexen.html Pablo

      Persistence. That’s another thing that you should develop as a habit; persist in everything you do.

    • marthees

      ya this is a fine article for those who want to improve their interpersonal skills. I am going to follow these things from today.

    • Seak Leang

      “Many of us find ourselves in motivational slumps that we have to work to get out of. Sometimes it’s like a continuous cycle where we are motivated for a period of time, fall out and then have to build things back up again.”

      Yes, it is like that…..

    • ameer

      great post forever

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    • http://epsychicpredictions.com/category/accurate-psychic accuratepsychic

      My favorite tip is definitely the second one, I find that I can do more and aim higher when I have a support person next to me doing the same thing. Great tips!

    • http://www.authenticpsychicreadings.net/category/accurate-psychic-readings AuthenticPsychicReadings 

      these are very interesting tips to stay motivated. I love the one about sharing what you know, helping is a great thing to do.

    • Nail

      You have shared good point on motivation, according to Norman Vincent Peale “People become really quite remarkable when they start thinking that they can do things. When they believe in themselves they have the first secret of success.”

      I have shared my article on bloggerstown, view the complete article there.
      Thanks

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    • Pravesh Kumar

      FROM THE MR. KUMAR PRAVESH ,

      HI IT RELATES TO ALL OF GUYS WHO HAVE DREMT STRONGLY AND THEY WANT TO MAKE THEM REAL SO , HERE IS SOME TO ACHIEVE THEM , KEEP REMEMBER ONCE IN A CLOCK EVERY DAY . AND TALLY WHAT HAS BEEN DONE IN ACHIEVING THEM

      THANKING YOU FOR READING IT

    • shadyfan

      1.this i by far the most useless, unhelpful, unrealistic bullshit waste of time, good for nothing piece of crap i’ve ever read. if i had things to give me spark to get going i would fucking use them. NOTHING gets me going.2. i have NO ONE  i can talk to to get me motivated i’m don’t know anyone ‘good’ enough to look up to and pull me out of this mess. 3.i HATE.. no I DESPISE reading with a passion i would not read to save my life. I’d honestly rather die.plus even if i enjoyed reding for some insanely ridiculous, unrealistic, out of this world reason i would NEVER be motivated enough or even BOTHERED to do it. reading is fucking boring 4.there are NO obstacles, i haven’t even fucking started. how can there be obstacles if i haven’t even gotten going yet. that’s paradoxical D: Number 5 is so far the only thing i can take away from this. 6. number 6.. wow.. that is so vague i can’t be bothered to even begin telling you how awful that piece of ‘advice’ is.. 7. there is no progress….. again…. i can’t get fucking started on anything. 8. why the fuck would i try and help others when i can’t even be fucking bothered to help myself 8b. how the fuck could i help others *FRIEND*  i need some advice on getting selfmotivated what do you think i should do? *ME* well i’ll tell you what i do about it. shit all (in other words) absolutely nothing co i can’t even be bothered to get out of the fucking bed and brush my teeth in the morning. fuck projects. 8c.if i could be BOTHERED to fucking write about my (quote) ”success” pigs would fly, justin bieber would hit pubuerty, britney spears would make another hit single etc etc get my drift? this whole thing is fucking bullshit abd has a million bullet holes in it. WORK ON IT! then give me feedback. piece of shit :)

      • Brittany

        Certainly motivated you to write a long reply, shame about the abuse though. Think about why you made the effort to reply and apply it elsewhere in your lie. If it works only a little post it on thi site to help others

      • justpassingby

        You’re so depressing and really rude! if nobody can help you, then help yourself. you can’t be happy in life unless you’re happy with yourself and you’re CLEARLY unhappy. do something for yourself that you know will get you up every morning. I just don’t see how your success is not motivation enough for you.

      • ryan

        i think thr is no hope for u.
        u dont like to be motivated so its not for, i guess

      • Anonymous

        U r d only 1 dat can motivate urself…
        Besides it is 4 ur own good…
        Try help urself.

      • Rosabelle Diaz

        please kill yourself already.  oh, wait, you’re not motivated enough to do even that and would surely fail, because woe is you. 

    • shady fan

      you people are:
      1. pathetic
      2. idiots
      3. so incredibly ignorant of what REAL problems with self motivation (like i have) are

      • the teacher

        Dude, you need meds asap!  Your obstacle is yourself!  You can’t trust yourself or your feelings about anything because they are corrupt with self-loathing and despair.  If you truly want to live and have a life that you can be happy about, you need to check yourself into a depression hospital STAT!  

        If you refuse to do that, then I suggest you put the same amount of energy that you put into convincing yourself that you can’t get motivated, and get FUCKING motivated to do something/anything to try better yourself instead of being so negatively, self-absorbed in your own pity.

        • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_L5QKS2WLM2GHJQ6EIG4ZXIAB6M Isaac mwangi Kariuki

          I think you should stop being a pesimist and change your attitude towards life in general less you go nuts.I believe you should start following your concious that have been telling you what to do right that you have ignored for a long time.come on?wake up and live.

      • Gulat Banana

        thanks a lot for your negative insight man. we don’t need another one.. that’s pretty much why we’re here.

      • me

        i really pity for you!
        no one else can help you unless u r intrested to be helped!

    • Shweta

      I understand why i am not able to believe in myself anymore for i do not have any more courage to gstand up once again.how many times do i fail and then again build up courage that i can do it .I am tired of “trying”

    • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_PB2DXYILZBMD663RQPQXBHBARU goodman

      here is a motivating idea….join the US Marines!….If you cannot get motivated that way..NOTHING will work!..;-D

    • http://www.professional-resume-writers.net professional resume writers

      Motivation is a second form of competition.If you are to be motivated
      then that should generally come from the requirements of the surrounding
      situation.Once you are in the tight grip of motivation, it proceeds
      like the third law of motion.

    • Anonymous

      This article on self motivation is really great.Even before reading this I have used all these tips in my life.A few years ago I was also like Shadyfan, down in the dumps but now I am an extremelly positive person.I saw myself in shdyfan,when I read the comment. No harm in trying,right. Why give up so easily,GOD has given us but one life ok? why dont all negative people read about Steve Jobs, (the CEO of Apple) speech at an unversity in USA.His life from day one was horrid but he never ever gave up even after he knew that he was very close to death.WHO doesnt have problems, shadyfan.Life is full of problems face it. No courage to face it,is it?
        This is to sweta, there is no harm in falling or failing,No one from the most famous to the ordinary has succeded at the first go many have fallen hundereds of times.If ur an Indian,think of our ex-president Abdul Kallam & his scientists.even as satellies are launched they breakup as they go into space.Do you think they give up No they dont,they jump back to rectify it,right? All the best to both of you.Be positive,Be happy & be the one to spread happiness. Like I do now.
       Reaching out