8 tips to improve your self-motivation

Self-motivation seems to come naturally to some people, while others struggle with it even when they know they want to change. One thing is certain: we are all different, and different things motivate different people.

What follows is a practical set of tips to help you become someone who manages self-motivation well, drawn from research, motivational writing and a few honest observations about why we sometimes get stuck.

1. Action creates motivation

Get started, form a habit, take that first step. The initial action creates momentum, and momentum leads to more action. An upward spiral builds as motivation feeds on itself. Waiting until you feel motivated before you act tends to keep you waiting indefinitely.

2. Create a ritual and make time for it

Schedule time to actively work on your motivation. Research on motivation and willpower consistently supports this: making dedicated time for your motivation practice produces results. Set a schedule and stick to it. If you think you do not have time, look again. Many successful people will tell you that their schedules are non-negotiable. Be the person you want to be.

Ideas literally change everything in our life.

Bob Proctor, 2015

3. Ask whether it is time for a change

Why are you finding motivation hard? Are you genuinely invested in your goals? If not, it is worth asking why. It is rarely fair to blame your circumstances for a lack of motivation, but taking an honest look at your life, your goals and where you currently stand in relation to them can reveal useful clues. Someone in a job they dislike, surrounded by colleagues they do not get along with, is far more likely to struggle than someone who feels valued and engaged in their work.

4. Clear your mind and set intentions

Many high achievers use meditation as a motivational tool. If a full meditation practice feels out of reach, mindfulness techniques can achieve a similar effect. A few minutes each morning to clear your mind and settle the mental chatter can make a real difference. Once your mind is quieter, you can focus on what actually matters most that day.

5. Write it down

Write down why you want to succeed. Write down what you want to achieve and when you expect to achieve it. Include some smaller goals you can reach quickly alongside the longer-term ones, then work out what you need to do to get there.

You do not need a backup plan. You need to do what is required to reach those goals. That drive comes from you, no one else.

6. Reward yourself

Positive rewards can motivate you through the less appealing tasks. Say you need to finish a report by morning, but you would rather be at the pub. Set yourself the target: finish the report, do it well, then go. If the reward would take all evening, finish the work and claim it tomorrow. The reward is still there. You have just earned it properly.

7. Insecurities do not define you

Do not let doubts and insecurities hold you back. They are part of the human condition. The ego puts them there to keep us cautious, sometimes to the point of paralysis. Acknowledge them, then move past them. Recognising an insecurity for what it is takes away much of its power.

8. Use “I am” and “I can”

Dr Wayne Dyer, author of more than 20 books and a widely respected motivational speaker, was a strong advocate for shifting your inner dialogue as the starting point for self-motivation. Instead of “I am not able”, make the shift to “I am…” or “I can…”.

You want what follows “I am” to be congruent with your highest self. Beginning with your inner dialogue, change the words that define your concept of yourself. Redefine your self-concept by choosing the words that you opt to place into your imagination.

Dr Wayne Dyer, 2012

You can do the things you want to do and be the person you want to be.

Self-motivation is not a fixed trait. It is something you build through habits, honest reflection and the small daily decisions to keep going. The tips above are not a formula, but they are a solid starting point. Pick one, act on it today, and see what follows.

If you are building a business alongside working on your mindset, the UWH business blog covers practical topics for people doing exactly that.