How To Get Motivated.

Recognition

First, we have to realize that there is an issue that requires our attention. It has to be something over which we have complete control. If we are not troubled by anything, then there will be no motivation to make any changes. The first step in bringing about change is to realize that there is an issue that needs to be addressed.

What issue?

This can range from something simple, such as a messy desk or an untidy room, to something major, like the need to lose weight and pursue a healthier lifestyle. So how do we go about achieving the desired change? How can we motivate ourselves?

Thinking Things Done

We can train our minds in order to enhance our motivation. It’s very easy for us to be pulled by a particular desire, such as a wish to eat ice cream or surf the Internet when we should be working. It can be hard to resist temptation and to do so requires self-discipline. What if we trained our mind to pull us towards doing a particular task instead of having to push ourselves? This is the object of Thinking Things Done (1), a mental process in which we visualize achievement and harness the resulting feelings of satisfaction so that we can accomplish the task.

This concept of Thinking Things Done is described by its author, P.J. Eby in the video below. He uses the example of cleaning a messy desk.

Here is a summary of the steps described by P. J. Eby during the process of Thinking Things Done.

Step 1. Look at the chaotic scene of a messy desktop and fix it in your mind.

Step 2. Now close your eyes and imagine that the desk is completely clean and organized. All the materials are put away and everything is neat and tidy. Don’t think about the process of actually cleaning the desk yet, just visualize the end product in your mind.

Step 3. Still keeping your eyes closed, the next step is to feel good about the way the desk looks now that it is clean and tidy. Then ask yourself, why do I have this good feeling? Perhaps you like the way the clean desk looks or you feel that a burden has been lifted and you are now liberated from the clutter and the chaos. Maybe you feel proud of your accomplishment. It’s important that you take time to allow yourself to feel good about the clean and organized desk. You might vocalize this good feeling with a “Hmmm”…. of contentment or an “Aaahhhh”….of satisfaction.

Before going on to step 4, it’s important that you have fully completed steps 1,2, and 3.

Step 4. Now hold the image of the clean and organized desk and the feeling of contentment in your mind while you open your eyes and survey the messy scene. Keep retaining the image of the clean desk and the good feeling you have about it. It’s as if you have X-ray vision and can see beyond the clutter to the clean and organized desk. While you hold the image of the clean desk and the feeling of contentment in your mind, your brain will begin to make suggestions as to how you can get started. Perhaps some papers could be filed and others thrown out, books shelved or boxed up, pens and pencils put away in a holder. Don’t start just yet. Allow the organizing thoughts to take hold and the pressure to build. You will find that you will be irresistibly drawn to begin cleaning the desk. This is the difference between “pull” motivation and “push” motivation. With “pull” motivation you actually want to get things done whereas with “push” motivation you have to force yourself and this often results in failure.

Once you have mastered the technique of Thinking Things Done for a simple process, then you can try something a little more challenging.

© Christopher J. Jones, M.Sc., Ph.D.

Reference

1) Eby, P. J. (2009) Thinking Things Done http://dirtsimple.org/2006/07/how-to-change-your-life.html