Self-motivation is something that seems to come to some people quickly. Meanwhile, others struggle to motivate themselves, even though they know they want to and know they should. One thing is sure regarding motivation; we are all different and different things motivate different people.

Here though is a short easy guide to help you become one of those people who manage self-motivation efficiently.

1. Action Creates Motivation

Get started, form a habit, take that step, the initial action creates momentum and leads to motivation and more action. An upward spiral of success is created as motivation continues to move.

2. Create a Ritual Make Time, Create a Habit

Schedule in time to actively create motivation, studies on motivation, and willpower back this up, making time for motivation works. Make regular space for your motivation practice. Set a schedule and stick to it. If you think you don’t have time. Make time, this is important. Many successful people will tell you that they make schedules and stick to them. Be the person you want to be.

‘Ideas literally change everything in our life’ (Proctor, 2015).

3. Time for a Change?

Why are you finding motivation hard? Are you invested in your goals? If not, why not? Is it time for a change? It is not usually appropriate to blame your lack of motivation for your circumstances. However, taking a good hard look at your life, goals, desires, and where you are now in relation to your goals and desires may give some clues for your lack of motivation. Those in a job they hate, with colleagues they don’t get along with, are far more likely to lack motivation than those who are happy in their work where they know they are valued and liked.

4. Clear your Mind and Set Intentions

A handy motivational tool that many high achievers use is to meditate. If you don’t have time to meditate then use mindfulness instead. Learn the quick and easy techniques to clear your mind and still the chatter. Do this for a few minutes each morning and then allow the priority of the most important things.

5. Write it Down

Write down why you want to be successful. Write down the things you want to achieve and when you expect to achieve them.

Write down some smaller goals to achieve quickly and others that will take longer. Then work out what it is you need to do to achieve those goals. You don’t need a backup plan; you just need to do what is needed to achieve those goals. It comes from you no-one else.

6. Reward Yourself

By setting yourself positive rewards, you can motivate yourself to do the less desirable tasks. For example:

You have to finish a report in the morning, but what you really want to do is go to the pub. Set yourself the target to finish the report, to do it well and then reward yourself by going to the pub. What if the reward will take all evening? Then finish it and reward yourself tomorrow.

7. Insecurities Don’t Define You

Don’t let doubts and insecurities define you or hold you back. Insecurities are part of the human condition. The ego puts them there to frighten us and to control us. Acknowledge them and then overcome them.

8. Use I am and I Can

Dr Wayne Dyer, the author of over 20 books and motivational speaker, was a great advocate of the “I am” system whereby self-motivation begins with shifting our inner dialogue. Instead of I am not able, make the shift to I am …. or I can…

Dr Dyer says:

‘You want what follows I am to be congruent with your highest self …. Beginning with your inner dialogue, simply 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.’ (Dyer, 2012).

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

8 tips to improve your self-motivation