How to motivate yourself

What is motivation

Motivation is defined as an urge to pursue a certain task. Motivation is a process that initiates and maintains a certain behavior. For example, if you are thirsty, you may feel motivated to grab a glass of water. If you feel inspired, you might have garnered the motivation to paint. Motivation isn't always present, so sometimes it can be difficult to get certain tasks done. Maybe after a long day of school, your energy levels have depleted tremendously. Because of this, you don't have the motivation to complete things like homework or dishes. It can be really hard to get yourself to do things you don't want to do.

Why do we sometimes need it?

Having motivation encourages us to create goals and complete them. Motivation brings out our inner ambition, which is usually necessary when it comes to completing certain tasks. Motivation helps us get going with our goals, which is extremely important when it comes to everyday life. Remember, sometimes 'motivation' isn't always there. Sometimes it is essential that you don't wait for the feeling to come to you before you do something. Go out there and get it! According to HuffPost, here are some beliefs that will diminish your motivation.

"• Mistakes and failure are bad.

• If I make a mistake or fail I'll be rejected.

• I'm not capable or competent.

• What makes me good enough or important is having people think well of me.

• What makes me good enough or important is doing things perfectly.

• Nothing I do is good enough."

Self-deprecating thoughts and words will prevent you from achieving your goals. Find time to truly evaluate your self-esteem and the goals you want to accomplish. Being content with yourself and your abilities is step one to bettering them.

Steps to take to tackle your issues

Step one is to face your problems. Recognize what you need motivation to do and what you need to accomplish. For example, you may need the motivation to study mathematics after you failed 3 tests. Next is to not beat yourself up about it. It is imperative that you are kind to yourself. Remember that making mistakes is okay, and you are still amazing. Thirdly, begin to make a plan. Use a planner or a calendar to try to map out what you need to do and how you need to do it. Doing so will make you more motivated to complete task after task. One piece of advice is to utilize positive reinforcement. Praising yourself after completing a difficult task will make you more inclined to attempt the next.