What is Motivation

Motivation is a force that inspires a person to take action. There are two sources that can motivate a person.

One of them is from an external stimulus. This is when a person takes action after being offered an incentive or reward.

Inspiration can also arise from watching certain movies, listening to some songs, hearing a motivating speech, reading, or receiving encouragement from others. But it is temporary and brief. Once the spark is gone, the desire subsides and wears off.

The second type and a very powerful one is when a person is internally driven. When a dire need to resolve an unfavorable situation arises or the desire to acquire something is very strong, a person is driven and inspired. Out of necessity he acquires the inner strength. This is self motivation.

What do you want? What kind of job would you like? Do you wish for more money? Do you yearn to get out of debt?

Without goals and vision, you'll lack the drive to thrive. You'll spend your days upon awakening to bedtime doing the same routines. Your life will eventually become dull and uninspiring when there is a lack of anything essential in your life. You might end up diverting your frustrations and boredom on unproductive activities.

Setting goals is therefore, necessary. When you have written goals, it shows that you are serious about succeeding, know what you want and where you are heading.

You need a balance between work, family and recreation. In order to avoid feeling stressed, you have to make it a habit to plan your day and week in advance.

Decide what you are going to do. When you have a plan set up with your personal values in mind, you will fully utilize your time and will not neglect the important people in your life.

Self imposed discipline leads to success. Having set your goals and knowing the reasons to why you want to achieve them will make it easy for you to do the things that you should and must do even when you don't feel like doing them.

One of the ways to cultivate positive thinking is to hang around with people who have the right attitude and are optimistic. Try to minimize your encounters and interactions with the pessimists who have the inclination to pull you down.

Taking positive actions produce positive results. Even a small act will have an effect on your outcome. The results from your action will provide you with feedbacks and the motivation to work harder.

Keep track of your thoughts, emotions, activities and progress daily. Record them in a journal. This activity enables you to measure your progress and review your goals.

Your energy and drive decline when you are sick. Do a little exercise each day to maintain your physical health. If you can run, run. If you prefer to walk, then walk. Eat well and avoid toxic elements into your system.

Challenges and hindrance can make you lose your enthusiasm. Here is a list of activities that will help you stay motivated.

1. Read, listen or watch motivational and inspirational recordings, books, stories or any information that stir your emotion and cause you to take massive and constructive actions.
   
   
   
2. Watch what successful people are doing. Learn from these experts and ask them questions to speed up your learning process and understanding.
   
   
   
3. Develop self awareness. Observe why you do what you do to discover your motives. You'll learn about yourself. If you notice something that require change, take the necessary action. If something improves your life keep doing it.
   
   
   
4. Practice creative visualization at least twice a day, once upon awakening and another before you sleep. See in your mind the end result of your goal. Fill in the colors, the sound and the emotions.
   
   Or you can try the MindMaster, a word and images tool to help you reach your goals easier and faster. Get the free trial to see how it works.
   
   
   
5. Use positive affirmations daily to overwrite your doubts and negative self talk. Tell yourself that you choose to make it easy for you to reach your goals.
   
   
   
6. Learn to meditate. During meditation, your brain waves are altered and this enables you to relax and remove your stress.
   
   Hypnosis and subliminal messages are tools you can use to change your brainwaves, put you in a meditative state, relax and input new mental instructions to your mind.

Return from motivation page to about personal growth homepage.