In this episode of the Productivity Podcast, I discuss what causes motivation and how you can motivate yourself to work when you don't really feel like working.
Key takeaways:
- Question whether you should you even be working if you’re not in the mood? I feel like creating false motivation isn’t the best approach. Work when you feel like it (if you can).
- Motivation is made up of the following components:
- Motivation – Is your desire to reach an outcome.
- Expectancy – Also know as self-efficacy, expectancy is your perceived probability of success. It’s your belief in yourself that you can do something.
- Value – This is the reward associated with completing the task. For example, when you pay your bills, you’re rewarded with electricity, heating, and internet.
- Impulsiveness – This is a person’s sensitivity to delay and is very closely linked to procrastination.
- Delay – This is the amount of time you have to do something. Generally when you have more time to do something, the motivation to start is less.
- Find ways to manipulate these components to create motivation e.g. set a shorter deadline, increase the perceived value of completing a task and plan your work to make yourself less impulsive.
- Come up with a plan (pick easy stuff) and stick to this. You’ll find that as you tick off some easy stuff you build up momentum and it’s easier to do bigger tasks later.
- Work on things you care about? How about starting a side-project? I think side-projects can be a great way of keeping you motivated which can transfer over to other areas of your life, like your day job.
I'm publishing podcast episodes all week to try out my new podcasting gear. If you're interested, I'm now using the following podcasting gear:
- Neewer NW-700 Condenser Microphone & NW-35 Adjustable Suspension Stand with Shock Mount and Mounting Clamp Kit.
- Behringer Xenyx 302USB Mixer
- Your Cable Store XLR 3 Pin Microphone Cable (6 feet)
If you have any questions you'd like answered on the Productivity Podcast, you can record your own question on my podcast page. Who knows, I might just answer it on the show!