Here’s a powerful motivation hack.
Why do we get so easily addicted to a video game?
Why can checking our email inbox be so gratifying?
Why do we get so easily addicted to social media likes?
The above are examples of instant satisfaction with minimal effort, correct?
But what’s the secret behind this satisfaction?
Is it the minimal effort involved?
Let’s find the secret!
To do so, let’s first analyze another type of satisfaction, but now involving hard work:
What happens when we’ve been on a tough diet and a friend comes to you and says, “Wow! You’ve lost some weight!” Motivation gets reinvigorated. Why?
Have you ever been doing regular exercise and when you try on your pants you see results around your waist line? This triggers enthusiasm to keep going. Why?
What happens when you have a big check list of things to do at work and find yourself “on a roll” checking off your to-do list? That feels good and motivates you to keep going. Why?
As we can see, whether with minimal effort or hard work, we get the same “addictive” boosts of motivation.
What’s the common denominator?
What’s the secret motivator?
PROGRESS!
Progress is addictive.
Progress is one of the most powerful motivators we can access.
To answer your question, how can we find a way to keep ourselves motivated throughout the day?
Find ways to “see” the progress of your work.
Examples:
Use a calendar to track your daily work. Make it visual such as tracking the number of words you write, the lines of code you created, the problems you fixed, or the sales calls you made.
I love to write my ideas on paper before I go to my computer. This helps me avoid distractions. All these sketches and writings keep growing as my notebooks get stacked up on my bookshelf.
Another idea is print out your work daily and keep these pages in an ever-growing stack on your desk as proof of your progress.
Whatever it is, define your goals, feel the progress and most importantly measure how you are approaching those goals.
This will motivate you and keep you going! #NeverGiveUp