Motivation is the fuel that keeps us going on our chosen paths. It’s what drives us to keep pursuing our goals in life. However, when we run low on this fuel, we find ourselves stuck, unable to move even an inch further. What do we do in such a situation? We look for motivation somewhere outside, in our friends and loved ones, or in movies and books.
But what if one can’t find motivation externally? That’s when we have to look inwards and seek motivation within. Self-motivation is the inner cheerleader, the affirmative voice that tells you to keep going irrespective of the circumstances. It gives you the power to remain unfazed and determined in the pursuit of your goals.
Self-motivation boosts your feeling of competency and the belief in your ability to get things done. This is a valuable trait that can catapult you to the highest echelons of success in all walks of life. Wondering how you cultivate self-motivation to achieve your goals? Read on.
Step outside your comfort zone
You must have heard the phrase ‘get outside your comfort zone’ a zillion times in your life. But what does it mean? According to management thinker Judith Bardwick, who coined the term comfort zone in 1991, “The comfort zone is a behavioural state within which a person operates in an anxiety-neutral condition, using a limited set of behaviours to deliver a steady level of performance, usually without a sense of risk.” Staying confined in your comfort zone stops you from harnessing your inner potential. On the other hand, stepping outside the comfort zone entails risk-taking after assessing the areas or situations that create limitations for you. It is one of the sure-shot ways to achieve self-motivation.
Ask yourself if the fear of failure or disappointment is holding you back. If you prefer to stay in your comfort zone, ask yourself if that’s due to a mental block that is prohibiting you from achieving your goals. Choose activities that challenge you, come up with a plan to tackle them, and set a timeline within which you can accomplish them. Once you engage in such activities, you will find that your pent-up fears will naturally diminish.
Have a positive attitude
A positive attitude is quintessential if you wish to cultivate self-motivation. Research published in the Psychological Bulletin reviewed “extensive evidence demonstrating that happy people are successful and flourishing people.” Thus, developing a positive attitude can take you far in life. But how do you do that? Firstly, pay attention to your inner dialogue and assess your thoughts. Does your inner voice berate you for your mistakes or does it laud you for having the courage to attempt new things regardless of the outcome? If your inner voice tilts towards the latter, it means you have a positive attitude. It helps you find the silver lining in difficult circumstances. Instead of dwelling on the things that went wrong, a positive attitude helps you see the brighter side of life even amidst the most strenuous situations.
Cultivating self-motivation involves developing the internal drive and determination to pursue and achieve your goals. It’s about finding the inspiration, passion, and energy within yourself to overcome obstacles.
Developing self-motivation requires setting clear goals, maintaining a growth mindsetand celebrating small victories along the way.
While external factors such as encouragement from others, a supportive environment, and positive feedback can contribute to your motivation, cultivating self-motivation is an internal process.
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