"This Is What Most People Get Wrong About Motivation" by Andrea Chen
Nine in ten people abandon their New Year’s resolutions within thirty days. 1So, how can changemakers stay motivated and maintain their commitment when it’s so easy to give up on your goals?
First of all, be ambitious but realistic.
Being ambitious is the foundation of great achievements as it allows one to be limitless. But if you have big dreams of changing the world in various aspects, you can’t expect the change overnight. In other words, be realistic. Unrealistic goals can be unmotivating, leaving people feeling that they can’t achieve great things, which can’t be further from the truth. When you are setting goals, remember SMART: specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. For example, instead of saying, “I want to watch more Youthtopia crash course videos” (which I know you want to), say, “Every week, I’ll spend one hour on a crash course about sea level rising.” Think of ways you can make your goals more detailed or assign certain times to do specific tasks. In summary, ambition sparks big dreams, but realism turns those dreams into tangible action and lasting impact.
Second, build momentum by starting small.
We can dream as big as we want with the condition of setting small goals to achieve along the journey. Sometimes, tasks can be daunting to tackle. By checking off small goals at a time, we can not only make sure that we are on track with our big dreams, but we can also stay driven. Specify measurable progress checkpoints or plan out a timeline for when and how you are going to reach those goals is crucial for staying focused throughout the process. If you are also a fellow procrastinator who puts off those scary things that you have to do, try to start by doing something easier and build up momentum. This can be tidying up your desktop or cleaning the house. Remember not to get too carried away by these side quests. You can do this by setting a 10 to 15-minute timer that reminds you to face what needs to be done.
Third, find and remember your “why.”
True, long-lasting motivation can only come from within. It has been shown that intrinsic motivation has three times the impact on engagement level compared to extrinsic motivation. 2Everyone’s “why” is different. For example, many may see Einstein as just purely a genius, but he is actually an intrinsically motivated person. He describes himself as “I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” Although one can argue that he is just a humble genius, it is clear that his self driven nature is a significant factor that led to his success. 3Ask yourself what your “why” is. Write it down as a journal prompt and discuss it with yourself. The “why” should be the root reason for wanting to accomplish something. Keep this in mind and remind yourself of your “why” whenever you are faced with adversity.
And finally, be ready to embrace failure.
A journey is not a journey without failures. The highs and lows all bring you valuable lessons. It took James Dyson 5,126 failed prototypes across 15 years before he came up with the best selling vacuum cleaner that led to the multi-billion company Dyson. Even Michael Jordan was cut by his high school varsity basketball team. 4We can only grow stronger by embracing the challenges. Think of the last time that you faced an obstacle and how you ultimately overcame it. Keep a positive mind by acknowledging how far you have come and those small wins along the way.
You got this, changemakers!
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3 https://medium.com/@paulthiebautiii/einstein-was-not-a-genius-f4f7b0cc9b52