Are you looking to increase your motivation?
I’ve found that my clients often get it mixed up: motivation does not lead to doing or improved mood; increased doing or activity leads to motivation and improvement!
So, despite our minds telling us not to do what we want to do, we do need to work towards helping ourselves. But how?
Steps to Increase your Motivation
- Identify your values or consider your life direction. Ask yourself: What do I want to work towards? What is really important to me? What gives my life meaning and purpose? A psychologist can help with these thoughts or ideas, with techniques and activities to help you identify your values and life direction or at least acquire some information to help you move towards this self-knowledge.
- Set one goal. Don’t commit to too much; go slowly, there really is no hurry! Make sure the goal is SMART: Specific, Measurable, Realistic, Achievable and Timely. Consider possible obstacles, and think about how you might overcome them.
- Tell trusted others about your plans. Talk it over. Get professional help (from a psychologist or counsellor) if needed, to gain valuable feedback and support.
- Consider the advantages and disadvantages of what you are thinking of doing. Ask yourself: What will I gain from doing this? What will change if I do nothing? Doing nothing is always an option, but remember the saying – if you do nothing you’ll get the same result!
- Stop unhelpful habits. Identify old damaging habits and create new, more beneficial ones. Perhaps change your daily activity. Create a healthy balance of work, rest and play.
- Acknowledge success and reward yourself when you reach each step. Review each day. Every morning, ask yourself: What can I to today? At the end of each day: What have I achieved today, however small? – and write it down.
- Acknowledge unhelpful or negative thoughts and feelings. Give up the struggle of trying to stop them; realise that’s just how the mind and body works. Use positive and encouraging self-talk – be your own coach. Change the focus of attention to your values and goals.
- Finally JUST DO IT! In spite of your thoughts or feelings, take action – just do it – and stick with it!
If you would like some help to increase your motivation, whether it be related to your career, family, financial, health or other goals, please make an appointment with me.
Author: Dr David Wells, B Psych (Hons), Dip Prof Couns, D Psych (Clin Geropsychology).
David is a Clinical Psychologist, with a keen interest in couples counselling. He strives to provide a safe environment for his clients to explore their issues and, with assistance, develop new techniques which will help them change their unproductive behaviours. The aim is to have a happier life that assists people reach their relationship, personal and life goals.
Dr David Wells is currently on extended leave. If you would like to book with an alternative clinician with similar expertise, you can call Vision Psychology Brisbane on (07) 3088 5422.