Making motivation mount so you can ‘Just do it’
What can we do?
You know exactly what you need and want to do, so why’s it hard to ‘just do it’? This might be what the Pope was recently reflecting on and it might also be a question on your mind today as we shuffle through January attempting to get in sync and in our stride. If we look to what we’ve learnt from Hope Theory over recent years (courtesy Synder et al.) being hopeful about your plans is not just knowing the pathways (goals) you need to tread, it’s also having the all-important agency (self-direction) with which to really tackle them. This is why developing yourself as the positive leader you want to be and developing those around you is not always as easy as the literature sounds. It’s not just about optimism – thinking positively – nor is it about the plans that come with all best laid plans; it’s about the accompanying goal-directed behaviour to tread the path you need to take. And there will be bumps in all the paths and plans, and we need to be ready for them.
The good news is that when we set ways we want ourselves or those that we manage to follow the lead, there are ways to support our agency for this and to build better momentum than we might normally have over time. Here’s a range of tried and tested methods that I share with clients in the public, charity and private sectors to same positive affect:
1. WRITE IT DOWN AND TELL ANOTHER – people often say they have a goal, but our minds and memories and motivation need more than this. The power of writing (handwriting) is highly evidence and so is telling another person friend or colleague what it is you are setting out to do.
2. ASK YOURSELF WHY – how does what you are setting out align to your values? Check out this to explore your Values further.
3. CONSIDER WHAT’S GOING TO STOP YOU – yes, what are all the things that are going to get in your way of what you are planning to do? Sounds counterintuitive right? Wrong. Knowing in advance the things that will get in your way will help stop them doing so. Fact.
4. PRIME YOURSELF - plan ahead - make it the easy choice. A simple example: I want to go for a walk everyday BUT I’ve got a car and it’s raining SO I will wear waterproofs and keep an umbrella in my bag, I will have a note on my desk that says “I deserve to have energy”, and I will tell a friend I work closely with to encourage me and invite them too. It’s all about priming for the things that will try to stop you.
5. KNOW YOU’LL PROBABLY SLIP UP – remember the change curve and remember all we know so far about developing habits. They take time and practice and practice (maybe even up to 30 attempts for some of us) to stick. So be aware you’ll slip and just keep starting again.
6. REMEMBER YOUR STRENGTHS – you have done this before. Well OK maybe not EXACTLY this but you’ve done stuff like this. You have acres of strengths to help you. So draw on them. For example, I’m pulling on my creativity write now to get this blog I have wanted to write for ages down on paper for you….
7. REWARD YOUR PROGRESS – as human beings we need our good behaviour to be rewarded, otherwise what’s the point? How will you pat yourself on the back for what you’re doing? Could you share the success with a colleague or friend who’s helped you on the way doubling the reward?