Motivating Yourself

Let’s build on the last post about how being mindful of your thoughts and where you direct your attention can increase your motivation. 

The human animal has two basic psychological pathways: We run towards things we want, and run away from things we fear.  Because motivation only happens when you have a “why,” it’s worth spending some time thinking about how that process unfolds.

When a situation arises, your subconscious mind immediately kicks in and does an analysis.  It is filtering through the reasons to do or not do something.  When you rise up to 30,000 feet and see yourself from the outside, everything changes.  By this I mean that you now consciously are thinking about what you are thinking about.  (The “thinker of the thought.”)  Mindful contemplation of this process absolutely changes the outcome.   Here’s the key…

When you have a clear picture of a desired outcome – you become motivated.

That could mean running towards something you want, like your opera debuting at the Met.  Or even a fear-based vision, like finally giving your notice to your cheap boss in the job you hate.   If it’s an outcome you desire and you can visualize it, you’ll become motivated.

So you know what to do next, right?

-RG