Do you find yourself waiting for long hours so that you can be ‘motivated’ to do something?
When it comes to meeting your daily goals, there is nothing more satisfying than getting that boost of energy to get things going.
Wow; just imagine it!
When your mind is focused; when your energy is at its peak and when your enthusiasm is at an all-time high. When you’re in that zone, it feels like you can accomplish anything!
Unfortunately, most of the youth in Kenya rarely have the time, the opportunity, or the mental fortitude to get things done.
The problem is that with motivation, it can be the most inconsistent and unreliable thing in your life.
Unless it’s something we absolutely love, many of us would much rather put off working. And go and sit in Uhuru Park and enjoy a nice, long sleep!
We tell ourselves that we’ll find the motivation later but, more often than not, later never comes or it comes in sporadic bursts that disappear as quickly as it appears.
So rather than just idle around waiting for that big deceiver that is motivation, here’s a more solid approach to get things done
Get Your Life in Order!
This is the hard truth that you have to hear:
Does your to-do list only grow with each passing day? Does it feel like there’s never enough time to finish everything you need to get done?
Then prioritizing is essential.
Think about the important goals you want to accomplish. Are the tasks on your to-do list bringing you closer to achieving those goals?
If not, audit your time and find out where you can do less of the things that don’t bring you closer to your goals and more of the things that you do.
Especially if you like to drink, indulge in drugs or have unscrupulous s3x with partners of the opposite gender!
Break your goals down into smaller steps and make those tasks a priority so you can be sure you’re using your time in the best way possible.
Make a commitment and stick to it
How often do you add tasks to your to-do list and end up not doing them? Are you the type of person who gets called for a job interview only to go to it smelling of bhang?
That’s why, once you’ve prioritized, it’s important to schedule the tasks you want to accomplish for that day.
If you operate better scheduling a task at a specific time, go with that. Otherwise give yourself some flexibility by scheduling them at a general time—for example, first thing in the morning, before lunch or immediately after work, ensure you’ve planned your activities well.
After setting a time, make sure that you actually commit to doing it. Block out that time, get rid of distractions and do whatever it takes to make sure you get it done.
This is about knowing what works for you and having the discipline to follow through.
Don’t think, just do!
Tasks can be painful, and most of us will use whatever means necessary to avoid that pain.
When you think about a task for long enough, it’s easy to talk yourself out of doing it. I mean, wouldn’t you rather just watch an episode of Churchill Live??
You start to imagine the effort you will have to put into it and the time it will take to complete and, before you know it, it’s game over.
It’s like waking up in the morning. If you sit in bed thinking about whether or not to get up, chances are you’re already falling back to sleep.
But if you hear your alarm in the morning and get out of bed without even thinking about it, you’re ready to start your day.
So when it comes to tackling the items on your to-do list, put your mind on autopilot to avoid talking yourself out of it.
Oftentimes, the thought of doing something is much worse than actually doing it!
Get Rid of A Bad Environment…Even if it’s your friends!
Set yourself up for success by creating an environment conducive to concentration.
Whether it’s a little nook in the corner of your apartment or a dedicated office in your home, the goal is to work in a space that allows you to focus.
So get rid of any and all distractions and have a routine that signals that you’re there to get work done. Even if it means giving up hanging out with some of your friends, then just do it!
That could involve making a cup of coffee and enjoying it while on your computer, popping in some noise-canceling headphones or whatever else tickles your fancy.
The objective here is to create a routine that signals that it’s time to work and nothing else.
Build momentum
When you have a mountain of work ahead of you, where you do begin?
If the thought of taking on your to-do list leaves you feeling overwhelmed, try building momentum with smaller tasks first.
If you can, break down your larger tasks so they are smaller and more manageable. Then check off these smaller tasks first to help get you into a workflow that builds up your confidence and energy.
It’s a mental trick. You’re still completing the same tasks that you had set out to do from the beginning, but you’re making them appear easier. This gives you the push you need to get things done.
Once you’ve completed several of these small tasks, you’ll feel pumped and ready to take on the bigger tasks ahead of you.