10 Practical Guidelines to Motivate Yourself

By Dr Irfan Amir

Practical tips and unique insights on self motivation. The ten-factor listing is based entirely on author’s own thoughts. The guidelines will help increase level of motivation enabling one to be more productive. The content also has the potential for making readers reassess their worldview. Another key benefit could be achieving higher levels of motivation while at the same time gaining peace of mind and solace which, in turn, could increase one’s ability to achieve yet greater levels of motivation, serving as a valuable self-reinforcing mechanism. Each of the ten factors is dealt with in a three-step process. First, the factor is defined. Second, its link with motivation is explained. Third, detailed practical tips are given to help reader adopt the required skill.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AUK Authors
• Release date: Jun 11, 2014
• ISBN: 9781783332410

Book preview

2013

Introduction

"Motivation energises a person from mediocrity to limelight.’’ (Author of the Book)

If inspiration is the starting point for any endeavour, motivation is the fuel to travel the distance. It is a powerful, intangible force that keeps you going regardless of difficulties and resistance in achieving a goal. Motivation is the bridge between ambition and accomplishment. In fact, it is the difference between success and failure. One could have the best of plans, financial, intellectual and other resources for achieving a particular objective, but success is likely to come if the zeal and motivation are also present. It is not possible to successfully accomplish anything without motivation. Achievement of higher goals requires a large quantum of motivation.

Let us look at three objectives, one each at the personal, group, and national level and the role of motivation in successfully achieving these objectives. Reading for a degree is a personal goal many would relish to achieve. Yet we see a number of examples of people losing their motivation and not being able to cope with the rigor, discipline, time and other constraints inherent in the successful completion of a degree programme. Tasks or goals that require a group effort generally require higher levels of motivation compared to individual goals. Here group dynamics play a critical role. Specifically, if the group gels the goal achievement becomes easier through team spirit, where both self- and group-motivation are high. There is the added benefit of urging each other to put in their best. Moreover, task allocation is made based on each member’s strengths, which helps not only in individual motivation but also in achieving a given task with increased efficiency and efficacy.

The role of motivation to successfully achieve projects or goals at a national level is even more critical than compared to individual- and group-level goals. Consider, for example, a city’s bid to host Olympic Games. Such a goal needs the support and involvement of the entire nation. Several government and private stakeholders have to work in close collaboration and with a high level of zeal and motivation to make a strong bid. And, imagine the extent of involvement and motivation needed at the national level to successfully execute the Olympic Games after winning the bid.

The role of motivation is also paramount in two other major areas, namely, change management and leadership. The change agent needs a deep reservoir of resolve and motivation to bring about a desired change. He needs patience, persuasion, perseverance, and persistence to wade through inertia and resistance to change to be successful in implementing his change agenda. The stated characteristics for successful change management can only be expected from a person with unwavering commitment and motivation to accomplish the given task.

By definition leaders are change agents. Hence, they are also motivators. Through the power of motivation and persuasion, national leaders motivate people to follow their agenda to take the nation to ever higher levels of economic, political, social, and moral growth. There are notable examples in history where leaders have lifted their nation from humble levels of economic, social and other indicators to levels comparable to the leading nations of the world in a relatively short period of time.

Before we discuss the ten factors or drivers for engendering motivation, it is important to make a necessary distinction between motivation and over ambition. The ten factors of motivation discussed here are based on the view that motivation should result in developing a personality characterised by patience, depth, calm, magnanimity, and foresight. Unbridled motivation may lead to over ambition, which is deemed to be a negative trait. Thus, motivation can be a two-edged sword. Bridled motivation is a virtue. The unbridled motivation (over ambition) is counterproductive.

Look Back

"Contrary to conventional wisdom, do look back. This might sensitise you to redouble your efforts to make up for the lost ground.’’ (Author of the Book)

Introduction

This is essentially reflecting on the past. What progress have you made on different aspects of your personal and professional development? The progress made should be benchmarked with your own standards as well as with your peer group. The purpose is to take stock. It will give you a fair idea of both the level and direction of progress made. Take heart if you are comfortable with respect to both personal and peer group benchmarks. If you are not comfortable with one or both benchmarks, this should give you an assessment of the amount of work you have to put in to achieve your future goals. You will also get a feel of the speed with which you have to move towards your desired goals. Whatever the assessment of your progress in the past, it is important to view the future with optimism and the realisation that there is always room for improvement.

Linkage with Motivation

Surely, if the perspective is to grow an individual will work with motivation. Persons with high achievements in the past are likely to continue on the ‘winning streak’. Those who believe they have significantly underachieved could either work with increased motivation or could give up. The danger for those considering giving up is they might never find time or opportunity to achieve anything worthwhile. The challenge is to shun despair and gear up to improving one’s future without further delay.

Tips on Looking Back

Here is a list of questions to ask yourself:

1. What my three most important achievements to-date are?

2. How do these achievements compare with achievements of members in my peer group?

3. How do the achievements compare with my own standards and expectations?

4. How recent is my last three most important achievements?

5. Am I comfortable with the progress in my professional life to-date?

6. Am I comfortable with the progress in my personal life to-date?

7. What are the three most important lessons have I drawn from my professional career to-date?

8. What are the three most important lessons have I drawn from my personal life to-date?

9. What are three major weaknesses I need to work on?

10. What are three major strengths I need to build on?

11. What are the three things I would do differently if had to re-live my past?

12. Have I become less self-centred over the years?

13. Have I become more tolerant over the years?

14. Have I become more focused over the years?

15. How much am I at peace with myself?

16. How far am I professionally ethical?

17. How far am I free of jealousy?

18. How far am I ‘what you see is what you get’ type of person?

19. Do I have a strong character?

20. Am I an egotist?

21. Do I own up to my mistakes?

22. Do I concede when I am convinced my point or argument is not sustainable?

23. Am I a perfectionist?

24. Do I get offended too easily?

25. Do I take criticism well?

26. Am I too hard on myself?

27. Is it easy for me to apologise when I have done something wrong?

28. Am I an arrogant person?

29. Do I find it difficult to deal with people?

30. Am I an aggressive person?

31. Do I learn from my mistakes?

32. Do I help others wherever I can?

33. Do I backbite?

34. Do I have the tendency to generalise?

35. Am I an easy prey to rumours?

36. Do I tend to flatter people?

37. Am I prone to flattery?

38. Do I have an attitude?

39. Do I find it difficult to relax?

40. Do I find it difficult to say ‘no’?

41. Do I trust people too easily?

42. Do I forgive easily?

43. Do I let go easily?

44. Do I give compliments where I deem them appropriate?

45. Am I comfortable in receiving compliments?

46. Do I get worked up easily?

47. Am I prone to making personal remarks?

48. Do I take personal remarks coolly?

49. Can I easily assert myself when deemed necessary?

50. Do I think before I act?

A Detailed Account of a Few Selected Tips

Am I Comfortable With the Progress in My Professional Life To-Date?

Comfort with progress made in professional growth to-date is gratifying. This should be a basis to achieve more. Discomfort with the level of progress should urge you to take stock and reassess your direction and extent of effort required to make up for not only the ground lost but to also gain lead in future professional pursuits. Realisation of where one stands relative to one’s own standards and/or external standards is the starting point for charting course for growth and development in future. Although, the pace with which people will move towards their future goals will depend on a number of factors motivation could play a key role in the successful outcome of future endeavours.

The Three Major Weaknesses I Need to Work On

Think hard on how to overcome your key weaknesses. Major weaknesses sap energy and diminish ability to move forward. Self-reflection as well as candid feedback from friends and family will help in identifying weaknesses. Focus on mastering your strengths and overcoming your weaknesses will help in realising your true potential. An important issue to keep in mind is that over time weaknesses tend to become chronic habits. Try to get out of the vicious circle as early as you possibly can. It is critical to do so. Another tip here is to wean off gradually as ‘old habits die hard’.

The Three Major Strengths I Need to Build On

Discovering and building on your key strengths can do wonders for professional and personal development. If you have a bent for some skills work on them with zeal and dedication. The bent may be innate or an outcome of sustained effort and training or a combination. Building on such abilities will be relatively less effort, highly satisfying and extremely rewarding.

Have I Become Less Self-Centred Over the Years?

Gradually move away from being self-centred. It is a mindset that will not allow you to see the world with even the nature-endowed five senses - let alone to energise the ‘sixth sense’. You tend to become parochial, materialistic, and thick-skinned. Moreover, you start believing in ‘minding your own business’ as a philosophy for leading a successful life. You fail to look at the big picture - the forest. You have dollar sign in your eyes and a thinking orientation characterised by ‘what is in it for me’. See what you miss. Selfless, genuine interaction with people, desire to improve the lives of people around you, the satisfaction one gets by sharing and giving, enjoyment of life and living, bliss of magnanimity, pleasures of empathy, and invaluable gratification of doing something for the posterity. Above all, perhaps, you miss the pleasures of different stages of life. You go for the sprint, not quite sure whether you have reached your destination and what were the stopovers during your journey.

How Far Am I Professionally Ethical?

Honesty is the best policy. You may like to be diplomatic and disclose only information you deem necessary and appropriate. But, always speak the truth. Regardless of the nature of your occupation, it pays to be truthful and ethical. Even if you are compelled to do things you deem unethical - especially in some cultures and countries - think twice.