Self Motivation: How to Motivate Yourself

By Donald Latumahina (follow me on Twitter) , October 22, 2008
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People who are unable to motivate themselves must be content with mediocrity, no matter how impressive their other talents.
Andrew Carnegie

If you want to excel in life, self motivation is essential. You must know how to motivate yourself. You must be able to keep your spirit high no matter how discouraging a situation is. That’s the only way to get the power you need to overcome difficulties. Those who are discouraged in difficult times are certain to lose even before the battle is over.

Self Motivation: How to Motivate YourselfThe question is: how do you motivate yourself? Here are several tips I’ve found to be effective to build self motivation:

1. Have a cause

I can’t think of a more powerful source of motivation than a cause you care about. Such cause can inspire you to give your best even in the face of difficulties. It can make you do the seemingly impossible things.

While other causes could inspire you temporarily, a cause that matters to you can inspire you indefinitely. It’s a spring of motivation that will never dry. Whenever you think that you run out of motivation,  you can always come to your cause to get a fresh dose of motivation.

2. Have a dream. A big dream.

Only as high as I reach can I grow, only as far as I seek can I go, only as deep as I look can I see, only as much as I dream can I be.
Karen Ravn

Your cause is a powerful source of motivation but it’s still abstract in nature. You need to make it concrete in the form of a dream. Imagine how the world will be in the future. Imagine how people will live and work.

Having a dream is important because it’s difficult to be motivated if you don’t have anything to shoot for. Just think about people who play basketball. Will they be motivated to play if there is no basket to aim at? I don’t think so. They need a goal. You need a goal. That’s what your dream is for.

But just having a dream is insufficient. Your dream must be big enough to inspire you. It must be realistic but challenging. It must stretch your ability beyond your comfort zone.

3. Be hungry

Wanting something is not enough. You must hunger for it. Your motivation must be absolutely compelling in order to overcome the obstacles that will invariably come your way.
Les Brown

To be truly motivated, you need to have hunger and not just desire. Having mere desire won’t take you through difficult times since you don’t want things badly enough. In many cases, hunger makes the difference between the best performers and the mediocre ones.

How can you have hunger? Your cause and your dream play a big role here. If you have a cause you care about and a big dream related to it, you should have the hunger inside of you. If you think that you are losing hunger, all you need to do is to connect again to your cause and dream. Let them inspire you and bring the hunger back.

4. Run your own race

I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to dance better than myself.
Mikhail Baryshnikov

Comparing yourself with others is an effective way to demotivate yourself. Even if you start with enthusiasm, you will soon lose your energy when you compare yourself with others.

Don’t let that happen to you. You have your own race so how other people perform is irrelevant. Comparing yourself with others is like comparing the performance of a swimmer with a runner using the same time standard. They are different so how can you compare one with the other?

The only competitor you have is yourself. The only one you need to beat is you. Have you become the best you can be?

5. Take one more step

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.
Winston Churchill

When you meet obstacles along the way, there could be the tendency to quit. You may think that it’s too difficult to move on. You may think that your dream is impossible to achieve. But this is where you can see the difference between winners and losers. Though both of them face the same difficulties, there is one thing that makes the winners different: the courage to continue.

In difficult situations, just focus on taking one more step forward. Don’t think about how to complete the race. Don’t think about how many more obstacles are waiting for you. Just focus on taking the next step.

6. Let go of the past

Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Believe it or not, one of the best demotivators is your past. Your past can drag you down before you realize it. Your past can give you a heavy burden on your shoulders.

The good news is it’s a burden you don’t have to carry. Take it off your shoulder and leave it. You might make mistakes in the past. You might disappoint others with what you did. But it’s over. It’s already in the past and there’s nothing you can do about it.

Today is a new day and you have the chance to start again. No matter how bad your past might be, you still have a bright future ahead waiting for you. Just don’t let the burden of the past stop you.

***

Apply these tips and motivate yourself. Don’t settle for mediocrity. Let your self motivation take you to excellence.

This article is part of October 2008 theme: Winning Attitude

Photo by bingbing


Posted under Attitude, Purpose
61 comments

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Currently 61 comments

  1. Comment by James @ Organize IT

    #1 22. October 2008, 2:01 pm o'clock |

    Good points. Something related that I believe to be very important is to keep promises to yourself. if you say you are going to do something, do it, even if it is something minor on your to-do list. It’s difficult to have motivation to do something if you can’t depend on yourself.

    http://www.organizeit.co.uk/2008/06/18/the-3-key-steps-for-keeping-promises-to-yourself/

  2. Comment by Aileen Journey

    #2 22. October 2008, 8:42 pm o'clock |

    One of the things I find that helps in maintaining self-motivation is a bit of a push. I set things that need to be done and then I force myself to do them whether I want to or not. After a while I stop thinking about whether I want to do something or not because I’ve removed the element of choice.

  3. Comment by Donald Latumahina

    #3 22. October 2008, 11:38 pm o'clock |

    James,
    That’s a good idea. The good thing about keeping promises to yourself is the motivation comes from within. Furthermore, it’s self-reinforcing that makes it stronger over time.

    Aileen,
    Yours is a good example of how self discipline can maintain self motivation. The most difficult part is to start and self discipline helps you go through it to build the momentum.

  4. Comment by Joe Malinowski

    #4 26. October 2008, 10:56 am o'clock |

    I love this post, especially the take one more step. What has driven me is just being sick and tired or being sick and tired. Creating a detailed schedule of what to work on for the day and stick to the plan is working wonders in my business. It just comes down to taking one more step toward the end of the day and doing that little extra. Thanks so much! Have a spectacular day!

  5. Comment by Ross

    #5 26. October 2008, 11:18 am o'clock |

    Sometimes you can feel like you’re getting nowhere, so I appreciate your “take one more step” comment on never giving up… This is a real key to making lasting changes… Thanks for the post.

  6. Comment by Donald Latumahina

    #6 27. October 2008, 4:19 am o'clock |

    Joe,
    I like the way you apply the principle to your daily work. That’s a good way to have a productive day. Rather than being overwhelmed by what we need to do on a given day, just focus on taking one more step forward.

    Ross,
    You’re right, it’s a key to making lasting changes. Taking just one more step may seem small, but if you do it consistently in any situation the long-term impact will be huge.

  7. Comment by Flora Morris Brown, Ph.D.

    #7 27. October 2008, 3:16 pm o'clock |

    Donald,

    This is a wonderfully motivating post.

    I especially love “run your own race” and “dream big.”

    Big dreams inspire us and charge us with energy. I heard a speaker say that one reason we don’t achieve is we don’t dream big enough.

    I’ve been conscious of running my own race for quite a while now, and yet I’m sometimes tempted to compare my progress to my fellow runners. When I shake loose from this negative thought, I’m off and running again trying to beat my personal best.

    Thanks for nudging me again.

  8. Comment by Donald Latumahina

    #8 28. October 2008, 11:26 pm o'clock |

    Flora,

    …yet I’m sometimes tempted to compare my progress to my fellow runners.

    That also happens to me and I must remind myself over and over again about it. I find that not comparing myself with others is very liberating.
    I agree with you that one reason we don’t achieve is because we don’t dream big enough.

  9. Comment by deepika

    #9 1. November 2008, 6:37 am o'clock |

    I think self motivation comes from within.if we concentrate on our strength we can achieve greater heights.here i found some motivational quotes on motivation.co.in

  10. Comment by Live for Improvement

    #10 4. November 2008, 5:39 pm o'clock |

    Inspiring article! “Motivation is the difference between wanting a better life, and living one.”

    -Dan Malone-

  11. Comment by Neal Milnor

    #11 7. November 2008, 2:56 pm o'clock |

    Thank you for your post today. Sometimes when you get to feeling like a task is so big it is overwhelming, taking the next step really just means looking at the first step without worrying about how much is involved in the whole project.

    So thanks to your message I got something important done today!

    Neal

  12. Comment by Kevin Touhey

    #12 9. November 2008, 6:02 pm o'clock |

    It’s great to dream big, but we must not forget that it is just as important to take small steps. Trying to skips steps and stages will likely lead to disappointment and failure.

    But you’re right self-motivation is key, because no matter how many people are on the sidelines cheering us on, what we believe inside is what ultimately dictates our actions and personal growth.

  13. Comment by Donald Latumahina

    #13 10. November 2008, 1:26 am o'clock |

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts, everyone! I love learning from the points you shared.

  14. Comment by roxie

    #14 23. November 2008, 4:21 am o'clock |

    i’ve been feeling under the weather for almost two weeks and grew tired and unmotivated to do absolutely anything, i’m starting to feel really depressed. i needed a pick-me-up, hopefully i could pick up a few pointers here and get my life back on track. thanks!

  15. Comment by Donald Latumahina

    #15 24. November 2008, 7:44 pm o'clock |

    Roxie,
    I’m sure there are a lot of great things waiting for you ahead. I wish all the best for you!

  16. Comment by Pechu

    #16 15. December 2008, 11:59 pm o'clock |

    Hi,

    the article was truly great. I was feling down but this article gave me a shot of new life to move ahead.

    Thanks

  17. Comment by simi

    #17 31. December 2008, 1:33 pm o'clock |

    Thanks for the great article.I will certainly apply this to my life and im sure it will help me big time.

  18. Comment by Nina Sawyer

    #18 18. January 2009, 6:34 am o'clock |

    That really was inspiring,. Just what I needed to hear, especially about the past.. thank you

  19. Comment by Uriko

    #19 31. January 2009, 9:28 pm o'clock |

    Wow, all the tips are quite useful and inspiring! I’m glad I came here. Thanks! :)

  20. Comment by Goran

    #20 12. June 2009, 9:52 am o'clock |

    Thank you for the tips I hope tnat they will help me in the future. :)

  21. Comment by harry

    #21 24. June 2009, 12:04 am o'clock |

    i really love your tips. especially the one with hunger, if u have a dream and a goal, u got hunger. i lover tht part. thnks

  22. Comment by Scott

    #22 24. June 2009, 11:44 pm o'clock |

    Thanks for this, for as long as i remember ive lacked motivation and been lazy but its gotten to a point where its worse than ever. When i was a child my only motivation was my mother, i knew if i didn’t do what she wanted me to she’d be angry and to be honest life was much easier if i was in her good books.

    Now im a lot older i live with my gf of many years and my motivation is no longer my parents. I recently lost my job and having trouble finding a new one where i live, Im worrying about money issues and im putting weight on so my self confidence is at an all time low.

    Im finding it near impossible to motivate myself to do just about anything, Ive tried promising / forcing myself but end up saying to myself “yeah right, who was i kidding” when it comes to actualy doing these things.

    The “Let go of the past” part really hit me because up until now i never realised how often i look to the past and remind myself about all the mistakes and failures ive had in life, basically telling myself il never manage to do whatever it is im contemplating doing and if i try im only going to mess it up.

    I need to find a way of adapting your tips to fit me and my lifestyle, Thanks for your help and hopefully il find my motivation.

  23. Comment by lc

    #23 17. July 2009, 11:03 am o'clock |

    Wonderful !!!!!!!!
    Never follow GREAT PEOPLE nor try to imitate them……..People who inspired you are the one who were inspired by themselves and believed in them………. If u wanna be a PATH LAYER motivate yourself or else be a PATH FOLLOWER always and alwayss……………….

  24. Comment by Lester

    #24 19. July 2009, 9:09 pm o'clock |

    Thanks a lot for this, its so cool,it will help me lot because i think the only missing in me is selfmotivation.

  25. Comment by Ashish

    #25 22. July 2009, 8:31 am o'clock |

    I couldnt imagine the things here being written in a better way!! Nice Job.

  26. Comment by elird

    #26 22. July 2009, 2:35 pm o'clock |

    No. 6 is great. Never worry about things u cannot change, but the things u can (like tomorrow)…………………………….

  27. Comment by Michele

    #27 26. July 2009, 1:46 pm o'clock |

    I believe this website is very helpful and everyone needs self motivation and it comes from first looking at yourself and what makes you happy and once you do that you can achieve anything.

  28. Comment by esra

    #28 20. August 2009, 7:26 am o'clock |

    Thank you for Article, It’s very good. To day you have motivated me, give an inspiration how to prove my live. Good Luck

  29. Comment by erman kurniawan

    #29 1. September 2009, 11:20 am o'clock |

    First, i would say this is very GREAT article..i really found this is very useful to give us inspiration in motivate our selves.
    Second.. i ask permission to you to translate this article to my blog in my language, Indonesian, so the people here in my country can read this and help to motivate their own self.
    Thank’s a lot before.

  30. Comment by Debanjan Chanda

    #30 1. September 2009, 3:25 pm o'clock |

    Thanks,for the wonderful article,I wish this could bring some changes in my life.

  31. Comment by Jonathan Beebe

    #31 18. September 2009, 2:31 am o'clock |

    Wow thanks for the great article, Donald, I especially like #5: “Take one more step” because one more step is all we need to get to the NEXT step, which will lead you through to the end.

    It’s the same concept that is applied when you take your goals one DAY at a time… just focus on what’s needed for today, and the rest of the week, month, year, etc. will take care of itself until your goal is completed.

  32. Comment by Donald Latumahina

    #32 19. September 2009, 2:29 am o'clock |

    Jonathan,
    Yes, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by how big a goal is. But what you need to do is just taking actions every single day.

  33. Comment by Kishore

    #33 26. September 2009, 6:37 am o'clock |

    Hi terrific steps.Easy to understand and equally motivating to implement in life.
    Congrats

  34. Comment by Nishia

    #34 6. October 2009, 3:40 pm o'clock |

    To be honest with everyone all your comments are beautiful and uplifting yet they all make me waht to curl up and bawl my eyes out. You all make it sound so easy which it most likely is but I honetyl can give you all 50 billion reasons why I couldn’t you know? I find myself not being able to take that first step and if I do I can’t keep going you know? And I know saying I can’t all of the time just makes it that much easier not to do. Eh nevermind. SOrry all I really wanted to say about this page that its was nice and lovely to read everyones comments. Sorry for the wasted space

  35. Comment by Mariah

    #35 20. October 2009, 11:34 am o'clock |

    Simply awesome!!! It gives everyone their chance to make their own conclusions and well, make it happen.

  36. Comment by Good

    #36 6. November 2009, 3:25 am o'clock |

    Thank you, this was very useful… And very practical

  37. Comment by mark

    #37 7. December 2009, 11:29 am o'clock |

    I lost more or less everyting during this worldwide recession, it was only a small business but I went to the wall.
    This only makes me stronger to take those first few steps and climb that mountain again, I have climbed the mountain before and i know the paths that lead up there, it may rain or snow but I keep going until I have reached the top.
    I really am optomistic about my future and I will be a success.
    Visualise were you want to be and believe in what you are doing, kick some serious ass

  38. Comment by Donald Latumahina

    #38 9. December 2009, 12:49 am o'clock |

    Mark,
    I’m glad you have the right attitude. With that kind of attitude, I’m sure you will be successful.

  39. Comment by Emmadman

    #39 9. December 2009, 1:29 am o'clock |

    This is a great post. Thanks to those people that bring out their time to help others out like this. I quite helpful to everyone that were fortunate of visiting this. All the tips are very helpful and non should be neglected. Thanks to you all once more.

  40. Comment by haulie

    #40 16. December 2009, 1:29 am o'clock |

    hi,

    this article is exremely good, its a mind oppener for me. expecially at this time whereby i could not think of moving step ahead from where i am and had a scary feeling and trying to be carefull with one position all the time. but this has made me realize that as long as you have a dream and a couse you can make it and that is what i will do from now on.

  41. Comment by Asesh Kumar Chatterjee,MSc, MBA,CS

    #41 28. December 2009, 9:55 am o'clock |

    Motivation is a second form of competition.If you are to be motivated then that should generally come from the requirements of the surrounding situation.Once you are in the tight grip of motivation, it proceeds like the third law of motion.

  42. Comment by Patrick Chuan

    #42 2. January 2010, 8:45 am o'clock |

    Even if you have motivation, what is the next step in achieving your goals. Just do it? Just do something?

    Complicated and ambitious goals requires complicated and systematic planning. The best plan requires you to be logical and objectives towards your want and desires. If you don’t know how to plan, you are bound to run out of motivation after reading this article.

    Even if you have a good plan, the obstacles is your own procrastinating lazy self. Taking one thing one step at a time is not going to solve the problem of procrastination because being a procrastinator is not like flipping on a switch at the back of your head. Procrastinating is a gradual mental conditioning that we have enforced thru our bad habits and toxic intellectual diet.

    And if you think that that is the end of your goal completion process; that it’s all smooth sailing, well no. There are lots of other barriers such as hard to overcome as our procrastinating habits.

  43. Comment by samcooper

    #43 6. February 2010, 6:59 pm o'clock |

    I think everyone at somepoint what something more that who we we are at this moment. or we want to ahcieve something, and be able to reach our goals and dreams in life. We do all have some sort of “faith in something”. But what we lack is MOTIVATION. if we’re cars, motivation is life the gasoline that will keep us moving in life. This blog is very helpful and made me think asbout alot of things in my life.
    Thanks.c:

  44. Comment by Paul Anderson

    #44 8. February 2010, 9:22 am o'clock |

    Self Motivation begins right from the scratch where you get to know what you need in your life and how it can be achieved?

    Lot of books are there regarding self motivation and follow the principles Herzberg’s Motivation-Hygiene Theory. That is really amazing according to my point..

    check out some apps related to motivation like Pocket Coach, Pocket Mentor etc.
    try this url: http://www.itunes.com/apps/pocketcoach

  45. Comment by keerthi

    #45 28. February 2010, 6:44 am o'clock |

    this is a wonderful post to read.those who r not having self motivation after reading this ,they become confident,more reliable.thank u for giving this in this ebsite.

  46. Comment by kevin peters

    #46 2. March 2010, 4:55 pm o'clock |

    meaningless platitudes. if i was capable of all that i wouldn’t be reading these articles. what if you don’t have a dream? what if you hold the world in contempt? what if you feel powerless to make changes? what then?

  47. Comment by shane

    #47 10. March 2010, 5:46 pm o'clock |

    we must learn to walk before we run excellent article

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