Initially, gaining motivation can be easy. You are set a task or give yourself a personal goal and you can begin working towards it. However keeping yourself motivated can be the difficult part. You can get distracted, procrastinate or simply not be bothered.
We have came up with 10 ways to avoid this and help you achieve these targets.
1. Break the goal down (into smaller more achievable pieces).
We have came up with 10 ways to avoid this and help you achieve these targets.
1. Break the goal down (into smaller more achievable pieces).
If you have a big task on hand, one useful tip is to break that task up into smaller more easily achievable pieces. For example, if you have to complete a 10 topic, 7000-word essay this may seem overwhelming. However, producing a 700-word chapter on a topic seems a lot less overwhelming and easily more achievable to produce in a set time frame. This method can make even the biggest task feel more manageable.
2. Get Organised.
Being organised with every day aspects of your life, whether that be at home, school, work or your personal life can be crucial when attempting to stay motivated. Having a cluttered schedule, workspace or even mind can affect motivation when completing set tasks. Getting organised can link back to breaking the goal down, planning what you are going to do and when can make the task seem less overwhelming.
3. Seek out positive information.
Positive words and inspiring talks can boost motivation massively. It reminds you of the reasons you set your goals to begin with and what can result from hard work. It gives you a sense that anything is possible as long as you are fully committed and give your all whether that be on completing your course or running a marathon…
4. Take Breaks.
Taking breaks can be very affective when attempting to sustain motivation. Doing one set task for a while without breaks can make you become uninspired and lack motivation. Taking breaks and concentrating on something else for even ten minutes can increase creativity and can put a fresh set of eyes on the task being completed.
5. Be Consistent.
Consistency can be one of the hardest factors when attempting to stay motivated. For example, maintaining the discipline to stay consistent when following a stricter diet than usual can be the hardest part of a diet for many. To help combat a lack of consistency due to lack of motivation, because you’re not in the mood, do one small proactive thing that will move you towards your ultimate goal. This can link back to breaking down your goal and making easier tasks for yourself to help work towards your final greater objective.
6. Setting up a reward system.
Using rewards to bribe yourself into completing a task can be a great way to stay motivated. Something that you don’t necessarily want to do can be achieved by giving yourself a small reward upon completion. For example, if you have the task to re-paint your bedroom, it may be time consuming and something you don’t really want to do, however bribing yourself with a reward afterwards will push you to get it done.
7. Channelling other people’s energy.
Surrounding yourself with positive people and positive attitudes can have an encouraging effect on your motivation. If you constantly associate with these people, their attitudes will become infectious and will rub off on yourself. This also works with negative minds who are constantly complaining and bickering. This is something you want to avoid as it can have a negative effect on your mindset and motivation.
8. Recognise your progress
Looking back at your progress is a great way to keep you motivated. Going back to breaking the goal down, once you complete a smaller task you can complete another, and another. Before you know it, the short tasks you have completed has amounted to half of the task. Recognising this helps you push further as you have seen what you are capable of and what you needed to get this far.
9. Setting yourself deadlines
This is a useful tip for gaining and sustaining motivation as it pushes you to complete the task at hand in a specific time frame. Some projects may already have deadlines and therefore won’t need you to set one. However, some tasks may require you to set yourself one and therefore plan the task in greater detail, resulting in a drive to finish.
10. Recognising your impact
Thinking about what impact your job or activity will have is a great way to stay motivated. This links with visualising your results and knowing how great it will feel once the task is completed, and whether it has an effect on you and/or others. “If you’re changing the world, you’re working on important things. You’re excited to get up in the morning.” – Larry Page (Co-Founder of Google).
1. Thorough Research…
Showing enthusiasm is vital when approaching a job interview, and one way to show this is by conducting research on the employer and the job opportunity. The more you find out regarding the employer, hiring staff and the job opportunity, the more prepared you will be answering interview questions, but also thinking of questions to ask.
2. Research common questions and plan responses…
Before the interview, attempt to find out in what format the interview will be held, whether that be single or group interview. This can help you decipher what questions may be asked. Once you have covered what type of questions could be asked you can then begin to plan responses. This furthers your enthusiasm and lets the employer know how eager you are.
3. Dress for Success…
First impressions are important, make sure you plan out what you will wear and that it fits the business and its culture. You want to look professional, remember that being overdressed is always better than being underdressed and ensure that all your clothes are cleaned, pressed and all clothing fits! Clean, well groomed.
4. Be Punctual...
Don’t be late! Try to arrive at your interview 15 minutes before it is scheduled to begin, this once again makes you look enthusiastic to the employer but also gives you a chance to settle in and observe the dynamics of the workplace.
5. First impressions are vital…
Upon meeting your interviewer and potential colleague, make sure your first impression is a good one. Have firm handshake, smile and thank the employer for taking the time to meet with you. Avoid smoking, coffee or food at least half an hour prior the interview. You may not be able to smell it but they can.
6. Be enthusiastic, be focused…
Once the interview has begun, ensure that you are giving the interviewer(s) your full attention, maintain eye-contact and reply confidently with open and honest answers. In preparation of the interview, you should have had common questions that are asked in your head so that you can answer them, without producing long, rambling answers that may bore the interviewer(s).
7. Body language is key…
Poor body language can be seen as rude and also be a distraction for the interviewer(s). Make sure you sit straight, always look interested and try not to fidget. Maintaining eye contact whilst subtly nodding when appropriate lets the interviewer(s) know that you are interested and listening.
8. Prepare insightful questions…
This can be incorporated into your planning stage… make sure to ask insightful, relevant questions to the interviewer(s). Avoid topics such as wage/salary and work hours, this can make you seem disinterested and only care about the money or what time you get to go home. Good questions include “Would there be a possible chance for progression?” and “Will any further training be provided?”. This lets the employer know you are keen to work and improve whilst working for the company.
9. Closing the interview…
Having the most qualifications doesn’t always get you the job, the successful applicant is usually the jobseeker who shows they are most suited to the role and completes the interview confidently and enthusiastically. When the interview begins to wind down, ask about the next stage of the process and the timetable in which you may hear about the position.
10. Thanking the interviewer(s) and asking for feedback…
At the end of the interview, common courtesy would be to thank the interviewer(s) once again for taking the time to meet with you, whether that be in person, email or postal mail. Also, try and get some feedback on how you performed in the interview, this can give you experience for future interviews whilst showing your enthusiasm to the employer.
