3 Powerful Techniques for Self Motivation

We all have big dreams. We all want to achieve great things in life. Yet, only a few manage to live their dreams. We know exactly what we have to do in order to reach our goals. But we lack the energy and motivation to do so. In order to succeed, you need to have the ability to motivate yourself constantly. So here are four ways in which you can rekindle the spark in you.

Imagine that you're experiencing the last few moments of your life.

What are the things that you would look back at with joy?
Who are the people you want to be with?
Would you regret trying hard and failing gloriously? Or would you regret not getting back up and giving it another shot ?

You might not have the answer to all these questions immediately. But it gives you something to work with.

This activity might sound crazy. But it is extremely powerful. We worry about so many trivial things in life. We overthink unnecessarily and fear being judged. Visualizing your death bed puts things in perspective. It will help you understand your priorities in life. You get clarity on what truly matters to you. And when you know that something truly matters, you will start working on it. The idea of dying with regret creates a sense of urgency. The problem is that we keep delaying things as though we will live forever.This exercise will remind you that life is short. You stop postponing things and start working on them now.

In order to stop being lazy, you need to have a burning desire for success. You must be aggressive about your goals. Nothing should be able to stop you.

Everyone has this burning desire at some point. But it lasts for a very short span of time. Sometimes a month or two or sometimes just for an hour. There have been times when I've watched a movie or video and felt extremely motivated. But that doesn't last for long. It is easy to spark that fire. But it is hard to keep it going for long. Especially when you're constantly facing problems or experiencing failure. This is where desire comes in. Success should not be an option to you. It must be a necessity.

Example

Imagine you're driving and you see a huge truck coming in the opposite direction. You will automatically give way. Everyone else will do the same. If you don't do that, the truck has the power to smash right through and keep moving forward. When you have a burning desire for success, you are like this truck. People start moving out of your way because they know you can't be stopped. And even if there are obstacles that are in your way, you smash right through them.

Relaxation and renewal is extremely important. If you only keep working you will eventually burn out. What is more important is having the right kind of relaxation. Some activities are relaxing but leave you feeling uninspired. In fact, this might be the reason you are feeling low and unmotivated.

Example

If you watch episodes of a show in your free time, you will end up binge watching. Shows are designed in such a way that you feel like watching another episode. For the rest of your day, your mind is still hooked on the show. You have trouble concentrating. Eventually, you give in to temptation and go back to watching it. This creates a toxic habit. The more addicted you are to entertainment, the more lazy you become.

Solution

Invest in relaxation activities that improve the quality of your life. If you have 20 minutes, try to do a quick 15 minute workout. If you have 10 minutes of free time, just sit silently and meditate. Or find a 10 minute guided meditation track and perform it, This way you will be improving the quality of your life. These activities make you more active and focused.

The paradox

Watching television requires no energy. But it leaves you feeling drained. Exercise requires a lot of energy. But it boosts your spirits and makes you feel alive.

What you do in your leisure dictates how much energy you have while working. So use your free time wisely.