There may be times in your life that things are going well. There’s no large issue creating waves or storms in your life, your outlook is rosy. It could be that personal counseling in areas of various soft skills would be the best actions you could take to improve other areas of your life.
We all need it. Sometimes we have plenty. Other times, we run short. Some of us are procrastinators, while other truly live by the adage from Thomas Jefferson, “Never put off till tomorrow what can be done today.”
It might sound easy to simply roll up your sleeves and jump into whatever project needs completing. But, if you’ve ever faced a task that is less than exciting, you know you have to work up the energy and desire to “get ‘er done.” So, what motivates us and how to we get up and get moving?
There are two types of motivation: intrinsic and extrinsic.
Intrinsic motivation comes from within. If your main mode of motivation comes from within, you are often moved to action by a sense of duty, calling, altruism, or even guilt. This type of motivation can take the form of doing something out of obligation or because you are concerned about what others may think of you. Some of us are motivated by a sense of altruism-acting even when it costs us something. It may cost us money or time or effort, but the idea that our deeds will benefit others makes it worth it. If you’re a person of faith, sometimes your intrinsic motivation is due to the idea that you are working for God, not just for men. That sense of commitment calls us to give 100% of our effort in everything we do and is a form of intrinsic motivation.
Extrinsic motivation comes from outside us. The need to get the job done with extrinsic motivation comes in the form of a paycheck, awards, or recognition by others. The idea of being rewarded in some way other than a feeling of accomplishment or a job well done moves us to action. This is often why companies will offer bonuses for goals met or over-time pay for extra hours put in on the job. These companies know that extrinsic motivation in the form of money get some people’s motors running. These same companies may also offer the employee of the month or year awards, knowing that public recognition of hard work and dedication moves some employees to great efforts.
Both types of motivation have their pros and cons. Neither is necessarily more positive or negative than the other. We often need to step up to obligations and we ought to be concerned about our reputations. Working for a paycheck is necessary in our world and not something that should be frowned upon. However, after some self-exploration, most people will likely find they are motivated by a balance of intrinsic and extrinsic factors. This is as it should be. There will not always be a monetary bonus for a job well done, but simply knowing you did a good job may be reward enough.
The key is determining what motivates you and then putting safeguards in place for those really daunting tasks to ensure you get the job done. Here are some ideas on how to keep your motivation for those less than exciting tasks:
- Use the 15 minute rule — When faced with a distasteful or dull job, start it and tell yourself to do it for only 15 minutes. Take cleaning the bathroom, for example. There aren’t many folks that get excited to scrub toilets and soap scum off shower walls. Do it for just 15 minutes. Depending on the size of your bathroom, once you’re 15 minutes into it, you may only have 10 or 15 more minutes to go before the job is done and you’ll keep going. Often, the toughest step in getting a job done is the first one.
- Set up some accountability — Ask a friend or co-worker to ask about your progress. Sometimes simply knowing that someone is going to ask how you’re doing is motivation enough to get moving. No one wants to admit to someone else that she’s been slacking.
- Reward yourself — Promise yourself a treat when the job is over. The bigger the job, the bigger the reward. If you finish your monthly trip to load up on groceries and get them all put away, give yourself permission to have a bowl of ice cream, a good book, and a bubble bath. If you’re cleaning the garage and it’s been 10 years in the making, go out for dinner and a movie when you’re done (if you have the energy). If you finally finish the book your publisher has been nagging you for throughout the last year, take a vacation and relax. Give yourself a pat on the back for a job completed.
When it comes to motivation, find out what formula works for you and put it to good use. Let others know what that formula is, too. Who knows, maybe they’ll speak your language the next time they need you to get the job done.