The 6 Most Effective Motivational Methods
When you can’t find reasons to be happy, it’s difficult to fall asleep, and your lack of life goals makes it hard to get up and go to work. For times like this, you need to know good motivational methods to keep yourself from sinking.
This feeling of despair and exhaustion is sometimes associated with “asthenia“. Fatigue, stress and discouragement can be the beginnings of depression if you don’t try to do something to prevent it. Things like seasonal changes do not have to negatively affect your mood as long as you know how to take them with optimism and positivity.
The most effective motivational methods are those where you really have to do your part. It’s not enough to say that you want to change: you must go from words to actions. There is a tremendous strength within each of us, but it is our responsibility to choose what to do with it.
“…the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must.”
-Thucydides-
Motivational Methods
1. Make a list with your short and long-term goals
Balancing work, to-do’s, relationships, ambitions and rest is sometimes an almost impossible task. Sit down and make a list of what you want to achieve in the short and long term. First focus on more realistic and accessible things; then allow yourself to think big.
Effort and determination are exceptional qualities. We all know that luck does not happen by itself: you have to be prepared for it. Setting goals is vital. It will move you to pursue things that can end up changing your perception of all kinds of things.
2. Act as if you felt motivated
It may seem silly, but it’s completely true. If you tell a child that they’re stupid even though they are the smartest in the class, they will end up behaving that way. The so-called Pygmalion Effect is responsible for bringing out the best and worst in each one of us.
Behave as if you were really in love with life. Be kind, think positively and spread joy to others. Although at first it may be difficult and you may feel hypocritical, you’ll see that the more you do it, the more you become the image you project.
3. Concentrate on what you’re doing
Fatigue and apathy often comes from overwork. One of the best motivational methods that exists is to concentrate on what you’re doing. Do not think about the next activity or the previous one. Do not even stop to procrastinate or ask what you will do when you get home.
Take care of what you have in front of you and give your best, as if your life depended on it. You will see spectacular results, your burden will feel lighter and you’ll finish sooner.
4. Use humor as a weapon
Laughing is one of the best natural medicines. It releases endorphins, the so-called “hormones of happiness”. After a good session of laughing, you feel relaxed and positive, which obviously affects the way you see things.
Surround yourself with fun people and have a good sense of humor. Go to stand-up shows, see comedies at the movies, enjoy a good satirical book. You’ll notice that life is not as gray as it seemed to you before. Being happy is not an option; it is an obligation.
5. Consider a change of scenery
A change of scenery never hurts. Decide to do something spontaneous every day, some activity that completely gets out of your routine. Listen to music you’ve never heard before, take a trip somewhere you’ve never thought of, organize a surprise meeting with friends. Or just allow yourself to eat something that’s not normally in your diet.
Monotony can be very dangerous. Try to keep your mind and your emotions active. Start studying something that interests you, dare yourself to do something that makes your heart beat a million miles an hour. It’s never too late to start to live.
6. Pamper yourself
Love yourself. But not only on a superficial and metaphorical level. Take care of your body, and treat it as if it were your temple. Allow time for yourself, to relax and empty your mind. Read a good mystery novel with a glass of wine, play sports and feel free.
Treat yourself as you’ve been taught to treat others: with grace, kindness and courtesy. Many of our problems happen because we apply this to people in general, but never specifically to ourselves. Pamper yourself as much as you can.
Motivation can happen at any time, but for it to come, we have to be open to all possibilities. The most effective motivational methods focus on trying to maintain a positive attitude, doing new things and focusing on goals. It may involve some effort at first, but anything that’s worth your time takes work.