Finding motivation: 6-point plan to get started

Procrastination and you are great friends? We'll show you how to get out of the grip of procrastination in a 6-point plan.

There is no motivation for free

One morning we wake up and we are totally motivated to do this one task that we have been putting off for sooo long – sounds more like a dream, doesn't it ?! Above all, motivation is a matter of the mind and does not just come to us. Don't let that demotivate you, you can learn and find motivation – we promise!

Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation – that's behind it

The most effective is intrinsic motivation, which means that the motives lie within you, e.g. B. because you enjoy something (you love to draw and therefore do it all the time and without pay). In extrinsic motivation, the motivators are outside, something like reward or recognition. They usually have a short-term effect (well, how long did the effect of your last reward chocolate bar last ?!).

6-point plan for your self-motivation

If you are currently in a motivation hole, we will get you out again with this 6-point strategy!

1. Recognize meaning

The best motivator in life is simply the feeling of meaningfulness. If you perceive your goal or your task as meaningful, it will not be difficult for you to do what is necessary for it. Even if things don't go that way, you can (sooner or later) get up again. Would you like to do something for your health, get ahead in your job or write your master's thesis and are still not motivated? Then imagine what you're doing it for, so the big goal behind. The graduation, the new position in the company, a better feeling of well-being, or or or.

2. Find out demotivators

What bothers you, why are you delaying what you do? Do you think you will not be able to complete your master’s thesis or you do not have the stamina for your fitness goal? Seriously question why the task is so difficult for you – and the worst case scenario. Usually our fears are worse than the reality in the end.

3. Set milestones

You don't have to climb the highest mountain right away – small milestones motivate you: on the one hand because you know you don't have to do everything at once and on the other hand because you already have a sense of achievement.

Plan the 4th day

Sometimes things are easier for us if we plan them in advance and keep a certain amount of time free. Just knowing that we made it after this appointment is immensely motivating!

5. Set a reward

If nothing works, you will treat yourself to a reward for completing the postponed tasks (or the partial goal). If you want to do something for your fitness, a calorie bomb might not be the right thing, a new book instead. Further rewards can be: a visit to the cinema, a trip, the chic jacket in the shop window that was actually too expensive for you or other things or experiences that you can look forward to.

6. Put pressure on

Milestones and rewards don't get you anywhere? Then tougher measures are needed ?. Tell colleagues, friends or family (or everyone …) about your goal – bet your self-motivation won't let you down anymore?

Also the Hawthorne Effect strikes here: In the US American Western Electric Company, investigations into the work behavior of employees were carried out in the 1920s and 30s. Various conditions were changed (e.g. lighting and pay), even if it was partially worsened, productivity increased. This effect is explained by the researchers' attention to the employees. That is, the employees were aware that they were participating in an investigation and that they were being monitored.

A trick of a different kind can be found in an add-on for your browser (for Chrome e.g. "Motivation", for Firefox e.g. "Demotivation"): This shows you with every new tab your age in real time on, so you see how you get older by the second. Whoever realizes that this is all time that remains unused and is irretrievably gone, can definitely get a boost in motivation.

Finding motivation – 4 tips to prevent procrastination

There are some things you can do in the long term to motivate yourself and not to lose your joy in what you are doing.

1. Set goals

If you feel like you are not moving forward, you should set goals for yourself. What do you really want to achieve? It is important that you are honest with yourself – you do it for yourself – and that yours Concrete goals are. So not: "I want to go on a luxury vacation one day", rather "I need sum X, which I can save up in X months and fly there in month X.".

2. Find allies

The principle does not work for everything, but for a lot! You want to do more sport, look for a training partner, you have to study for your driving test, grab someone from the theory course and learn together!

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