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Motivation is the driving force that propels us toward our goals, helping us overcome obstacles and stay focused. Whether you’re seeking to boost your motivation at work, enhance your personal life, or achieve success, understanding the science and strategies behind motivation is crucial. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share top motivational articles for work, life, and success.
Top Articles on Motivation
Here are some of our best motivation articles that offer insights and practical tips to keep you motivated. These pieces blend scientific research, personal anecdotes, and actionable strategies to help you stay on track.
Only People Who Believe in Luck Have It
Want to Live Longer? Change Your Mind About Aging
Listening to Fitness Gurus is Making You Fat
The Ultimate Guide to Unstoppable Motivation
You Can Have Your Retirement Fantasy Today
The Surprising Science of “Manifestation”
Locus of Control: How It Affects Your Life and How To Manage It
Get Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable
You Don’t Need a Mentor. You Need a Buddy.
Need Motivation? Make a Price Pact
The Pinky Promise: Stick To It – Or Shed Some Blood
Good News! Your Willpower Isn’t Limited–Don’t Believe the “Ego Depletion” Theory
Contrary to the “ego depletion” theory, willpower is not a depletable resource if you know how to use it wisely. It’s common to hear people complain about feeling “burned out” or “spent” these days. However, these terms conjure a completely incorrect view of...
Can’t Seem to Stick With Your Commitments? Try Making a Pact.
You’ve surely heard the protest chant: “What do we want? “[Insert social change here.]” “When do we want it?” “NOW!” But imagine walking by a protest and hearing this: “What do we want?” “We’re not really sure!” “When do we want it?” “Whenever you get around to it is...
The Real Reason Why You Sabotage Your Own Goals
Recently, as I was clearing the dinner table, I asked my daughter if she could wash the dishes. “I was going to, Dad,” she said. “But now that you’ve asked me to, I don’t want to anymore.” I should have known better. This was a classic example of psychological...
Steal These 3 Advertising Secrets–To Use As Motivation Hacks
You can create some powerful motivation hacks by learning techniques from the persuasion business.The reason why you hate being micromanaged by your boss is the same reason why, as a kid, you refused to put your coat on when your mom told you to bundle up. We’re all...
What Is Motivation? You’ve Probably Been Thinking About It All Wrong
What is motivation: Understanding the relationship between motivation and discomfortIt took me five years to write my last book, which was a lot longer than it should have taken. The problem wasn’t that I didn’t know what to do–I did. I just didn’t do it. I wasn’t...
Are You a Wage Slave?
Can we create a future where people no longer have to work at jobs they hate?In 100 years, some things we consider normal today will make people say, “Wow, how barbaric—I can’t believe people did that! How were they okay with that?” Wage slavery, I hope, will be one...
How to Finally Find the Motivation You’ve Been Missing
Photo by luca pizzarotti on UnsplashNir’s Note: This guest post was written by Cheryl MaguireThe laundry hamper was overflowing with dirty clothes. Lacking the motivation to throw it into the wash, I pushed the clothes down deeper into the bin so I could fit more...
From Friday Forward to Monday Motivation: Q&A with Robert Glazer
Many of us start our Mondays wondering where our motivation will come from, and for some, whether we’ve even chosen the right career. Reference the (mostly) uplifting Twitter hashtag #MondayMotivation. A recurring theme in my articles is the importance of aligning...
The Surprising Benefits of Unconditional Positive Regard
In 1967, a catchy tune by The Beatles, “All You Need is Love,” became the anthem for the Summer of Love. The Flower Power culture embraced the song and its message, “love is all you need.” If someone had asked humanistic psychologist Carl Rogers what the song meant,...
Extrinsic Motivation: Why You Make Terrible Life Choices
This is What Most People Get Wrong About Willpower
You come home after a long day of work and you immediately curl yourself up on the couch and binge the latest Netflix craze for hours, while you scroll and scroll through your social media feeds and snack on potato chips even though you're "on a diet." You look around...
How to Achieve Your Goals By Creating an Enemy
DJ Khaled, the one-man internet meme, is known for warning his tens of millions of social media followers about a group of villains he calls “they.” “They don’t want you motivated. They don’t want you inspired,” he blares on camera. “They don’t want you to win,”...
The Way You Think About Willpower Is Hurting You
Not so long ago, my after work routine looked like this: After a particularly grueling day, I'd sit on the couch and veg for hours, doing my solo version of "Netflix and chill," which meant keeping company with a cold pint of ice cream. I knew the ice cream, and the...
The Mind-Hack I Used to Help My Father Lose Weight
When my family immigrated to the United States in 1981, my father weighed 185 pounds. He came chasing the American dream but got more than he expected. Along with a new, more prosperous life for his family, he also acquired some bad habits. For one, he took up smoking...
Latest Tech Trends: Products to Eliminate Distractions and Increase Willpower
Four minutes into pitching the wonders of his invention to an influential reporter, Patrick Paul gets hit with the kind of snarky comment startup entrepreneurs dread. Paul is the founder of Hemingwrite, a “distraction free writing tool with modern technology like a...
The Sweet Spot: Where Technology Meets the Motivational Brain
Nir’s Note: This guest post is by Dr. Marc Lewis, who studies the psychology and neuroscience of addiction. After years of active research, Marc now talks, writes, and blogs about the science and experience of addiction and how people outgrow it. Visit his website...
Why Your Goals Will Fail, and What You Can Do About It
“Chains of habit are too light to be felt until they are too heavy to be broken.”- Warren Buffet If you’re like most people, you have a New Year’s resolution in place and you may have even stuck to it so far this year. Good for you! Realistically though, you’re...
What A-Players Do That You Don’t
This post is part 2 of a 3-part series. See part 1 here and part 3 here.What if I told you I know of a guaranteed, foolproof way to get in the best physical shape of your life without strenuous workouts? How would you like to achieve success at work, without grueling...
What is Motivation?
Motivation is a complex psychological state that compels us to act toward achieving our goals. It can be broadly categorized into two types: intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.
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- Intrinsic Motivation: This type of motivation comes from within. It’s driven by personal satisfaction and the inherent enjoyment of the task itself. For example, someone might be intrinsically motivated to learn a new skill because they find it fulfilling and exciting.
- Extrinsic Motivation: This form of motivation is driven by external rewards such as money, praise, or recognition. For instance, an employee might be extrinsically motivated to complete a project to receive a bonus or a promotion.
Understanding these two types of motivation can help you identify what drives you and how to leverage it effectively to achieve success. By recognizing whether you are motivated by internal satisfaction or external rewards, you can tailor your approach to tasks and goals to maintain high levels of motivation. Combining both types of motivation can also be powerful, ensuring that you stay engaged and driven in various aspects of your life.
Debunking Myths About Motivation
Several misconceptions about motivation can hinder your progress. Let’s debunk some of the most common myths:
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- Myth 1: Motivation is a constant state. In reality, motivation fluctuates. It’s normal to feel highly motivated at times and less motivated at others. The key is to develop strategies to boost your motivation when it wanes.
- Myth 2: Motivation alone leads to success. While motivation is important, it’s not the sole factor in achieving success. Discipline, planning, and perseverance are equally crucial. Without a solid plan and the discipline to follow through, even the most motivated individuals can struggle to reach their goals.
- Myth 3: You need to feel motivated to start. Often, the act of starting a task can generate motivation. Once you begin, you may find that motivation follows.
How to Get Motivated?
If you’re struggling to find motivation, here are some effective strategies covered in our articles to help you get started:
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- Find Your Why: Take time to reflect on your deeper reasons behind your goals. Understanding why your goals matter to you and how they align with the most important values in your life can ignite your intrinsic motivation. Aligning your actions with your values ensures that your efforts are meaningful and fulfilling. For instance, if one of your core values is altruism, focusing on how your goals will enable you to make a positive impact can provide a powerful motivational boost.
- Set Clear Goals: To stay motivated and achieve success, it’s essential to define what you want to achieve and break it down into manageable steps. Clear goals provide direction and make it easier to measure progress. Rather than vague aspirations, specify your goals in detail. For example, instead of saying, “I want to get fit,” specify, “I want to run a 5K in three months.” This clarity helps you create an actionable plan and track your progress, keeping you motivated as you see yourself getting closer to your goal. Align your goals with your values to ensure they are meaningful and fulfilling. You can also browse our articles on decision-making to help you hone this skill.
- Create a Routine: Establishing a daily routine can help build momentum and reduce reliance on motivation alone. Timeboxing, or scheduling specific time blocks for tasks, ensures you dedicate time to what matters most and enhances consistency. For example, if you schedule a daily 30-minute workout at the same time each day, it becomes part of your routine, and you’re less likely to skip it. Over time, these routines help automate your efforts, reducing the mental energy required to start each task.
How to Stay Motivated for the Long-Run
Maintaining motivation over the long term can be challenging, but with the right strategies, you can keep your drive alive and achieve your goals. Here are some tips to help you stay motivated:
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- Monitor Your Progress: Regularly track your progress toward your goals. This can provide a sense of accomplishment and keep you motivated to continue. You can consider using tools like journals, apps, or charts to visualize your progress and remind you of how far you’ve come.
- Stay Flexible: Be open to adjusting your goals and strategies as needed. Flexibility can help you navigate setbacks and stay on course. If you encounter obstacles, reassess your approach and make necessary changes without losing sight of your ultimate objectives.
- Surround Yourself with Support: Build a network of supportive friends, family, or colleagues who can encourage you and hold you accountable. These individuals can encourage you and provide valuable feedback. Sharing your goals and progress with these individuals can creates a sense of community and shared purpose, which can significantly enhance your motivation.
- Keep Learning: Continuous learning and self-improvement can keep you engaged and motivated. Seek out new knowledge and skills related to your goals. Attend workshops, read books, take courses, or listen to podcasts. The pursuit of knowledge keeps your mind active and helps you stay passionate about your endeavors.
- Take Time to Reflect: Regularly take time to reflect on your journey, reassess your goals, and ensure they still align with your values. Reflection helps you stay connected to your purpose and adjust your path as needed. It also allows you to identify what’s working and what’s not, making it easier to make informed decisions about your next steps.
By applying these strategies, you can harness the power of motivation to achieve your goals in work, life, and beyond. Remember, motivation is not a one-time event but a continuous process that requires effort and persistence. Stay committed to your journey, and you’ll find that your persistence pays off in the long run.
Discover more motivational articles for life and motivational articles for success on our blog, and get inspired to take action toward your dreams.