Tag Archive for genuine living

Find the Source of Your Motivation

February 1, 2021 John Uncategorized No comments

Lack of motivation can throw cold water on the best of plans. So let GenuLines help keep you on the path toward realizing exactly what you want in life. 

(Listen to this article by clicking here)

Find the Source of Your Motivation

You get your work assignment. You know what you have to do.
 
You’ve got to get started – but somehow, you lack the motivation to get off square one.
 
Success won’t be had without motivation.

Where’s the source of your motivation?

man thinking about motivationWhere can you turn for the inspiration that will propel you forward? We’re all different and we’re all motivated by different things.
 
You may get motivated by visualizing completion of the task and reaching the goal. There may be a job promotion in it for you and a bigger paycheck.
 
 
Or you want to finish another chapter in the book you’re writing, or you look to lose five pounds by the end of the week. Seeing the goal in your mind could motivate you toward success.

Visualize completion

Never lose sight of your ultimate goal. Know you’re going to get what you deserve and push forward with renewed motivation.
 
You know that success is not only an option but is a real fact. Keep this in mind and motivation comes easier.
 
Preparation 
Motivation without the skills to achieve your goals is not enough. If you know you’re lacking something to move forward motivation is hard to summon.
 
Knowledge fuels motivation, and to a lesser extent, so does persistence.
 
Change your environment
New surroundings often give you a renewed outlook on your life. It can be something simple.
 
Put a new plant in your home or office, hang a new picture or open the curtains and let in the light.
 
This also includes surrounding yourself with positive people. When you’re around positive and successful friends their attitude rubs off on you.
 
You absorb their energy. But you’ll also absorb the energy of negative people or depressing surroundings.
 
Other methods
Find the source of your motivation and re-evaluate your tasks. Brainstorm and look for new information.
 
You can do this by taking a break. Go for a walk, exercise, work in the yard or relax with an inspirational book.
 
Using your brain in different ways will stimulate it. And stimulation leads to motivation.
 
Do something for others
When we do for others we find motivation within ourselves. Many times the way to achieve your goal is to assist others in reaching theirs.
 
Seek to serve and you’ll become energized and motivated when people rely on you. Disappoint them and you disappoint yourself – and you’re not going to let that happen, are you?
 
Listen
Some find a motivational source by talking or reading aloud to themselves. Keep an inspirational book handy at all times.
 
When you actually hear the positive affirmations they become more effective.
 
Motivation comes from many different sources. Look within and find what works for you.
 
Believe in yourself. Look forward to the good that will come into your life.
 
Do these things and expect motivation to come your way..
 
JohnK 2-1-2021
 
Stick figure hears about motivationOverheard: “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great”
                                    ~Zig Ziglar
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for talking about motivation
 

How to Create a Time Management Plan

January 18, 2021 John Uncategorized No comments

Time waits for no one. How true that is! 

But GenuLines has some ideas that will take waiting out of the equation and put time on your side. 

(You can listen to this article by clicking here)

How to Create a Time Management Plan

Creating a time management plan keeps you from wasting time. Having a plan makes every hour count.
 
hourglass of time
 
You work at a good pace. And your time gets good distribution over the daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly tasks.
 
Creating a time management plan is an important key to success.
 

 

 

 

* Be Realistic With Your Plans –

Don’t go against your own internal clock when planning each day. If you know you struggle to get up in the morning, don’t schedule things in the early morning hours.
 
If you can manage the tasks you like first in the morning, try that.
 

* Set Time Limits –

This is especially important for both tasks you dislike and for the ones you like. There’s a risk of procrastination when you spend too much time on tasks you like.
 

* Say no to Distractions –

One of the biggest killers of any plan is distractions.
 
These include television, phone calls, social media, even children and spouses. You can head off most distractions by planning ahead.
 
Turn off the TV. Turn off the phone.
 
Use social media only at certain times- and use a timer. Explain to kids and spouses the importance of not bothering you while you’re working.  
 

* Differentiate Important from Non-Important Tasks

Understand what is important and what is not important. If you make it a habit to do the most important things first, you’re going to feel more accomplished and get more done.
 

* Calendars and Technology –

Use Google Calendar or another system synced to your phone. This is a great way to ensure that your calendar is always with you and that you don’t forget things.
 
You can even set reminders and alarms to help.
 

* Kick Urgency out of Your Life –

For instance, if you’re a service provider, stop taking last-minute work orders. Train your clients to give you plenty of time to work tasks into your schedule.
 
Set family time and playtime into your schedule too. That might avoid a last-minute meltdown from the little ones, too.
 

* Create and Use Lists –

It’s one thing to note on your calendar the words “work on project A”. But it’s quite another to list what you’ll do when you work on project A.
 
This is the most effective way to schedule your time so that you meet your goals. Be very specific with lists so you don’t waste time.
 

* Create a Daily Action Plan –

Have at least four or five things that you can do each day toward any goal that you have. Plus, having a variety of things to do each day can avoid boredom and procrastination.
 
Creating a time management plan is an essential element in creating success. Most successful people live and die by their calendars.
 
Take the time to ask one.
 
JohnK 1-18-2021
 
Stick figure hears about time managementOverheard: “Create a definite plan for carrying out your desire and begin at once, whether you are ready or not, to put this plan into action”
                                          ~ Napoleon Hill
 
 
 
 
 
 

Article photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

 
 
 
disclaimer for talking about timme

Are You Setting the Right Goals for Yourself?

January 4, 2021 John Uncategorized No comments
The New Year is a great time to set new goals. And GenuLines wants you to make sure those new goals are the right goals. 
 
 

Are You Setting the Right Goals for Yourself?

There is a lot more to goal setting than just picking a goal and moving forward. Yes, this is important.
 
But it’s also important to make sure that you’re setting the right goals at the right time. These questions will help you head in the right direction:
 
Are You Setting Specific and Realistic Goals?
It takes a little research to ensure that a goal is realistic. If you’re not sure if something is actually achievable then you haven’t done enough research.
 
Once you know that the goal is realistic you need to give it a clear description. This will let you work backward to make a schedule of action you’ll need to succeed.
 
Listing goals
 
 
Are Your Goals Multifaceted?
Focusing on only one part of your life is a bad idea. To feel successful people make goals for all areas of their lives.
 
Say you have a wonderful business and career but your personal life suffers. No matter how successful you are, you won’t feel successful.
 
Make sure your goals include something from each aspect of your life.
 
Does Your Scheduling Show Real Need?
For instance, you want to exercise 30 minutes per day. But setting aside only 30 minutes isn’t going to be realistic.
 
You’ll probably need to set aside an hour. This will cover getting ready as well as cooling down or getting cleaned up to go back to work.
 
Are You Learning from Failure?
You might feel like giving up when setting goals and schedules. You put your plan into effect but you notice there are things you’ve forgotten to take into account.
 
Don’t quit. Learn from the failure and change the schedule to be more realistic.
 
You might find that in practice you have to rewrite all your goals and your schedule. This is natural.
 
Failure feels like a negative. But the truth is if you don’t fail sometimes you’re not going to learn much and it’s likely your goals are too easy.
 
Do Your Goals Represent Your Needs and Wants?
A lot of people set goals that represent what someone else wants instead of what they want. This can cause a lot of bad feelings and resentment.
 
And it can derail the best-laid plans.
 
As you set your goals for your life, ask yourself if they’re what you want for yourself or what someone else wants for you. Ask yourself if you’re okay with any goal you make being for someone else before you embark on your journey.
 
Are You Checking in Often to Stay on Track?
To-do lists pale in comparison to a well laid out calendar of tasks and activities that get you from point “A” to point “B”. Make sure that you look at your schedule often.
 
Make note of when you succeed in sticking to your schedule and when you don’t. Noticing a pattern of activity can help in improving your schedule.
 
And it can help you stay realistic about whether you’re sticking to the plan.
 
Do Your Goals Have Positive Focus?
Try writing down a goal and then changing the words to sound more positive to see if it isn’t more motivating. For instance, “losing weight” seems like a good target.
 
But for some people, it might signify deprivation. Instead, frame the goal as “improving my BMI by 10 points” or “improving my cholesterol by 10 percent.”
 
Do You Have Too Many Goals Set at One Time?
Just as setting too few goals can be a problem, so can setting too many. Instead, pick one personal goal, and one other type of goal to focus on until you reach them.
 
Later you can add more as time goes on. You don’t need to do everything today.
 
Slow and steady wins the race is a good motto to hang on to.
 
Setting the right goals for yourself takes some thought and consideration. Don’t try to set them all in one day.
 
It’s better to set some goals in different stages and in different areas of your life. And give a lot of thought to why you’re setting the goals in the first place.
 
JohnK 1-4-2021
 
stick man hears about goalsOverheard: “What the mind can conceive and believe, and the heart desire, you can achieve”
                                ~Norman Vincent Peale
 
 

 

 
 
 
disclaimer for setting goals

Embody Persistence And Watch Your Life Change

December 28, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments

We know that persistence is important when working toward a goal. But too often we get bogged down on our way to reaching it. 

Push on toward success with this GenuLines look at persistence.

(You can listen to this article by clicking here)

Embody Persistence And Watch Your Life Change

Practice makes perfect. We’ve heard that mantra since we were kids.
 
But more to the point, this phrase embodies persistence. That’s the key to mastering most anything.
 
You can practice something once every two months and not get very good at it. But persistence will usually deliver results.
 
There are so many distractions. From video games to the internet, to television.
 
It can be a difficult proposition to keep focused on persistence. Putting aside the distractions frees you to become better at something you want.
 
It’s important to balance being persistent with not being too pushy. It’s one thing to want something and do whatever it takes to get it.
 
But that could encroach on others’ personal space or even their rights. You may have to take a different approach or back off and find another way.
 
This doesn’t mean backing away from something you desire. Persistence is the key to getting it.
 
If it’s within your rights to have it then you should go for it. Maybe you’ve been trying to get a promotion at work.
 
Your persistence may be the aspect that makes you stand out above the others.
 
You might remember the 1970’s television series, Columbo. On that show, Peter Falk played a detective who tended to be persistent with his inquiries.
 
This paid off for him since he was always able to catch the perpetrator. Of course, this is a fictional story, but the concept carries over into real life.
 
perseverance quote
 
Many people believe that if you want something enough, you’ll do whatever it takes to make it happen. Usually, this is a result of persistence.
 
There’s some truth to this. But sometimes your limitations keep you from doing what’s necessary.
 
Try to determine what’s blocking you.
 
Say you failed at something, only to try it again later, It doesn’t mean that your efforts were lacking.
 
You just weren’t ready for it during the first attempts.
 
People can also persist in bad habits or unwanted behaviors. In this case, it’s best not to embody persistence and try to deemphasize the negative behavior or traits.
 
One great way to do this is to replace these negative aspects with positive ones. The effort is the same.
 
But the results will be a whole lot better.
 
JohnK 12-28-2020
 
Stick figure hears about persisteceOverheard: “Paralyze resistance with persistence”
                                    ~Woody Hayes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for persistence

Clutter Does a Number On Your Mind And Body

December 21, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments

Is clutter just a bothersome part of your life? Something you’ll get to someday?

Today GenuLines points out that clutter can be a physical and mental problem, too.

(You can hear this article by clicking here)

Clutter Does a Number On Your Mind And Body

Clutter is a real nuisance for millions of us. What you may not realize is that it can affect your mind and body.
 
How does your living space make you feel when you walk in the door at the end of the day? Do you feel peaceful and glad to be at home because it’s your sanctuary?
 
desk with clutter
 
Or, do you feel dread because there’s a mountain of unfolded laundry on the chair? Or there’s a stack of magazines spread all over the floor and a sink full of this morning’s dishes?
 
 
 
 
 
Mind Control
Research finds that the state of your house reflects the state of your mind. Disorganization tells you that there’s something out of balance.
 
The trick is learning what’s off-kilter and how to set it straight.
 
Living in a cluttered home is stressful – for everyone. Mom’s pulled away from what she needs to do to help someone find their homework.
 
Dad’s late for work because he can’t find his car keys. As the pressure to find those misplaced things mounts, so does the tension.
 
Before long, something or someone snaps.
 
Lost And Found
Think about how you feel when you’ve misplaced something. You may berate yourself for being careless.
 
You may feel frustrated and ready to give up. When your child comes in to ask a question, you may not respond in a loving manner and feelings get hurt.
 
Clutter drains you of energy and makes you feel tired. And that can leave you feeling overwhelmed.
 
You know you need to do something but you don’t have the energy.
 
Take time to clear the mess from one small area. It can help you and your family feel more energetic.
 
And they’ll be more inspired to work on decluttering in other areas.
 
Body Of Clutter
Did you know clutter could be making you physically sick? No one wants to think about it, but clutter can be the breeding ground for germs, dust, mold, and mildew.
 
It could even hide a problem with mice. If you don’t believe clutter can make you sick, think of the stress mentioned above.
 
If you have too much stress, you may develop high blood pressure. Dust and mold can cause allergies or worse.
 
Clutter can also affect your body weight. People with clutter are usually sedentary.
 
In an uncluttered home they’re more active. Part of this may be because the clutter in the home makes it hard for you to move.
 
You may also be using clutter, like being overweight, as a means to protect yourself. Clutter keeps people at bay and so there’s less chance of getting hurt.
 
Get Started
Now you understand some of the ways clutter can affect your mind and body Consider what you’re going to do about it.
 
Will you take a step forward and begin decluttering? Or will you let it continue to ruin the lives of you and your family members?
 
JohnK 12-21-2020
 
stick figure man hears about clutterOverheard: “Good order is the foundation of all things”
                              ~Edmund Burke
 
 
 
Article image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay 
 
 
disclaimer for clutter
 
 
 
 

Foods That Help Your Brain Focus Better

December 14, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments
Your brain isn’t something you usually consider when you think about holiday meals. So GenuLines gives you some things to think about before you dig in with family and friends.
 
 

Foods That Help Your Brain Focus Better

Unnecessary distractions can slow down your day. Regardless of what you do for a living or the hobbies and pastimes you enjoy.
 
Improving your ability to concentrate on the task at hand could give you a big advantage.
 
people see brain
 
A healthy diet is a solid way to improve most aspects of life in general. There are lots of healthy dietary choices that can improve cognitive functions.
 
Here we’ll look at a few of the many dietary options that help you focus on whatever it is that is important to you.
 
 
Salmon
To improve focus you need good brain function.

This is why foods that contain high amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, are a great option.

Omega-3 actually improves the amount of oxygen available to the brain. And it increases new information retention.
 
Foods Rich In Vitamin D
Research tends to find that a LACK of vitamin D leads to greater levels of cognitive impairment. This is especially true in older folks.
 
Exactly how this happens is uncertain. But a recent study in the journal, Trends in Neuroscience, gives us clues.
 
A sort of netting surrounds healthy neurons in the brain. These nets work like supportive structures.
 
They help maintain the connections between various neurons. This allows them to continue to relay information via synaptic pathways.
 
The researchers felt that low vitamin D could make these nets more vulnerable. The result could be degradation by certain enzymes.
 
And this could result in various cognitive deficiencies such as focus and concentration.
 
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo Biloba is an ancient herb used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. Users say this dietary supplement helps focus and information retention.
 
And there’s been a resurgence in its popularity.
 
The thinking is that Ginko boosts blood and oxygen flow. This logic is often applied to other areas of the body, such as skeletal muscles.
 
Green Tea
Caffeine is a very popular go-to when it comes to focusing and being able to concentrate. But a roller coaster ride comes with ingesting large amounts of caffeine.
 
The result is a mental crash at the end of the ride. Green tea does in fact contain caffeine.
 
But it possesses another chemical that’s great at mitigating this crash.
 
Most forms of green tea contain L-theanine. This allows a slower release of caffeine into the bloodstream.
 
The result is a sustained sense of focus and concentration. And without the unwanted comedown.
 
Works Cited
 
9 brain foods that will improve your focus and concentration. (2018, April 27). Retrieved from https://alifeofproductivity.com/9-brain-foods-that-will-boost-your-ability-to-focus/
 
Rodriguez, B. D. (n.d.). ADHD Diet: Foods to Help You Focus – ADHD Center – Everyday Health. Retrieved from https://www.everydayhealth.com/add-adhd-pictures/what-to-eat-in-an-adhd-diet.aspx
 
Vitamin D and brain health: New mechanism may explain link. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324541
 
JohnK 12-14-2020
Stick figure hears about the brain
Overheard: “The brain is like a muscle. When it is in use we feel very good. Understanding is joyous.”
                                              ~Carl Sagan
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for brain health

What Does Being Productive Really Mean?

December 7, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments

It’s tough being productive during a time of lockdown. And not a good time to think about ways you can kick things into gear. 

So GenuLines feels it’s a good time to bring you an overview of how you can make this happen.

(You can listen to this article by clicking here)

What Does Being Productive Really Mean?

productive manIntending to be productive is a worthy pursuit. But over time and with overuse the definition of productive has become a little fuzzy.
 
Now “Productivity” is a sort of buzzword. It’s used in employee training seminars and self-help techniques.
 
 
 
 
If you don’t get the true meaning of this word you might waste valuable time that could be better spent.
 
In a fast-paced driven society we’re expected to produce more in less time. Unfortunately, this can often have the opposite effect.
 
Here are a few things to consider when looking at how you spend your time,
 
Busy & Productive Are Not Synonymous
This might be the biggest misconception about what it means to be productive. Staying busy and on the go doesn’t always mean you’re being productive.
 
Being productive means you are actually getting something done.
 
It’s easy to jump from one task to another. Could be you shift your focus and attention every five minutes, all in the name of “multi-tasking.”
 
Now and then ask yourself if you’re actually accomplishing anything. For example, after a five-hour stint on your computer at work, take a look at the end result.
 
Have you produced something of value that was not there when you first sat down at your desk? Never confuse being busy with being productive.
 
Progressing Towards Something
This kind of piggybacks off of the previous thought. But this tip deserves its own discussion.
 
You can get into a kind of “grind” mentality.
 
You spend hours working at irrelevant things. Again, this may or may not help your productivity.
 
With anything that you dedicate a lot of your time to, there should be an end goal in mind.
 
Have a well-understood plan of how you’ll reach it. Productivity involves a linear path from where you are right now to what you want to get done.
 
If you’re working hard only for the sake of working hard, you run the risk of wasting valuable time and energy. It’s always important to consider your “why” before you commit your valuable time to any task.
 
Balancing Productivity
Achieving anything worthwhile often involves hard work and focus. But it doesn’t mean neglecting every other area of your life in the process.
 
For example, you want to transform your body and get in better shape. Will it help if you neglect your closest relationships and other commitments, too?
 
True productivity includes nurturing every aspect of who you are. Even during the pursuit of something specific.
 
Sure, there are going to be times when more of your time and energy goes toward one thing in particular. But make sure that not ALL of it is!
 
As a human being, you are a lot of things at the same time.
 
JohnK 12-7-2020
 
Stick figure hears productive ideasOverheard: “Productivity is being able to do things that you were never able to do before”
                                           ~Franz Kafka
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for being productive

Declutter Your Mind In 5 Steps

November 30, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments
It’s common to declutter in the spring. Throwing away stuff that’s outlived its usefulness feels good. 
 
GenuLines has some ideas on decluttering your mind that will feel pretty good, too. 
 
 

Declutter Your Mind In 5 Steps

When it comes to decluttering your home, you might decide to put everything you throw
out on eBay. But decluttering your mind is a little trickier.
 
declutter sign
 
 
Here are a few ways to declutter your mind.
 
 
 
 

#1: Declutter your space

This one is pretty obvious. With fewer things in your field of vision, you have less garbage to stew over and worry about.
 
This frees up space in your mind.
 

#2: Declutter your schedule

Another thing that can drive you crazy is the constant rush from one activity to another. Take a look at your schedule and start eliminating things that aren’t necessary.
 
With fewer ingredients in your stressful stew, you’ll make your day a little calmer.
 

#3: Unplug from the party

Would you be able to get any rest if you were attending a party of several thousand people? I’m talking, like Times Square on New Year’s Eve.
 
That’s pretty much what’s going on with your smartphone, tapped in as you no doubt are to social media networks. The pings, dings, and rings from your contacts are all adding small but unhealthy doses of stress to your day.
 

#4: Practice mindfulness

Mindfulness is all about engaging with the present in a fully, alive way. There are lots of ways to practice mindfulness.
 
One is meditation. Another could be fixing your stare at an object (like a candle) and noticing your thoughts.
 
Mindfulness can contribute to increased concentration and a decluttered mind.
 

#5: Let go

Sometimes it’s best to let old memories die. These can range from broken relationships to diabolical bosses.
 
We tend to have a whole lot of backstory spinning in the recesses of our minds. Let it all go, and like a faster-operating computer, you’ll find your mind in a much more free and easy state.
 
JohnK 11-30-2020
 
stick man talks declutterOverheard: “For every minute spent in organizing, an hour is earned“
                                          ~Benjamin Franklin
 
 
 
 
 
Article image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay 
 
 
disclaimer for declutter

How Meditation Can Benefit Your Motivation

November 16, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments
 
Meditation might not be your first thought when your motivation is on the wane. But GenuLines knows that it can be a go-to tool for those times when you lose your spark, 
 
How Meditation Can Benefit Your Motivation

meditation momentThe downward spiral of low motivation can seem like an impossible cycle to break. During those times productivity and accomplishment can seem like unattainable goals. 

 
 
 
 
There is one simple tool you may not have considered before that can get you back on track, and that’s meditation. It’s an exercise that goes well beyond providing relaxation.

Focus and Concentration

Focus and concentration are by-products of meditation. But don’t force the issue.
 
This could have a negative effect on your motivation.

Increased Happiness

More and more of us are being diagnosed with depression. It’s no surprise that happy people tend to have more energy and higher self-confidence.
 
And motivation raises happiness by helping release the brain’s “happiness hormones.” When you’re feeling more positive, you’re likely to have more desire to get things done.

Less Stress

Meditation leads to a more relaxed state. This is due to the way it allows the brain to slow down as it receives sensory input.
 
This relaxation and improved processing leads to reduced feelings of stress and overwhelm. With less stress comes a feeling of more control, which then fuels your motivation.

Positive Thinking

One of the biggest killers of motivation is negative thinking. A pessimistic view can come from many sources.
 
Think depression, poor habits, or general life difficulties.
 
The beauty of meditation is that it “rewires” brain patterns. This process encourages more positive thought patterns.
 
The result is a reset that helps you become more motivated.

Clarified Goals and Purpose

Taking time each day for meditation can give you a great deal of insight. This helps with reassessing what’s most important in your life.
 
When you have a better picture of your priorities, your goals and life’s purpose become clearer. Knowing where you want to go kicks your motivation into high gear.
 
And you’ll feel a greater urgency to take the necessary steps on the path to your dreams.
The benefits of meditation for increased motivation are many. There are various types of meditation.
 
You can begin to research on your own or find a teacher who can help you develop a practice that works for you. What’s most important is that you get started.
 
And maintain consistency in your meditation practice to get the most effective results. Soon you’ll be tackling your to-do list and pursuing the life goals that matter with renewed vigor.
 
JohnK 11-16-2020
 
stick figure man hears about meditationOverheard: “When you own your breath, nobody can steal your peace”
                                               ~Unknown
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for meditation

Boost Your Motivation With a Bit of Science

November 9, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments
 
Motivation is a key component of success. Sure, talent, intelligence, and money can play a part.
 
But there’s a science involved as well, and GenuLines wants you to put it to work in your path to success.

Boost Your Motivation With a Bit of Science

suggestion to motivationWe all have lists of things we
“hope” we’ll do. But how do we
put these things into the “done”
column?
 
 
 
 
 
Let’s take a look at the science of motivation and the ways to harness it to your advantage.

An Improved Approach to Motivation

Dan Pink wrote a best-selling book, “Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us.” He says that there are three components of motivation that push us to get things done.
 
And he scraps the old carrot and stick types of reward systems.
 
Instead, Pink argues that a scientific approach gives us a better view of the subject. This, he says, helps us come up with strategies to power up motivation.
 
Three Elements of Motivation
Pink says research shows that autonomy, value, and competence drive motivation. Autonomy refers to the amount of control or independence we feel over a task or action.
 
He says studies point to a connection between input on a task and better follow through.
 
The second component of motivation is value. This is the amount of personal significance or importance you place on a matter.
 
In other words, if something matters to you on a personal level, you’ll feel more motivated to take it on.
 
Competence comes from a feeling of mastery as it relates to practice and hard work. This doesn’t mean you have to have natural abilities.
 
Spending time developing competence seems to increase chances of reaching the goal.
 

Strategies to Increase Motivation

Now you have an understanding of what matters most with regard to what motivates us. So let’s look at some strategies to increase motivation.
 
With autonomy as a guide, let’s consider ways to add a sense of control or involvement in activities. One way to do this is to take ownership of a chore or add some aspect of self-direction to it.
 
Let’s say you’re having difficulty starting a project such as submitting a paper. It may help to think of all the ways doing this will set you apart as an expert in your field.
 
You’ll see that turning in the paper is a necessary part of sharing your unique views with your colleagues.
 
To add value to your task, you want to make it meaningful or personal. Find a way to add purpose to that item on your to-do list.
 
This involves changing your perspective or the way you look at that item.
 
Doing your taxes is a chore you might dread. Add purpose to it by focusing on the work you’ve done that’s represented by the numbers on the page.
 
Or the contribution you’ve made to your job and community through your efforts. Paying taxes is a symbol of good citizenry.
 
Finally, there’s competence. Feeling mastery over an act requires practice.
 
Try to look at the job at hand as one in which you are working toward an end goal of skillfulness.
 
For instance, you’ll soon see the treadmill as less of an adversary the more workout sessions you endure. As you get fitter you’ll see exercise as a little easier.
 
And, you’ll get a feeling of accomplishment.
 
Motivation is not always easy to come by. But with a little knowledge of science you can be more effective in moving toward your dreams.
 
In time you’ll be mastering your goals. And that will fuel your motivation in the future.
 
JohnK 11-9-2020
 
Stick figure hears about motivatonOverheard: “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
                                   ~Nelson Mandela
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for motivation
 
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