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How to Get Motivated When You Desperately Need Things Done

Anything related to matters of the mind

Woosah

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Like many of you, maybe, I can be in moods where I struggle with things like perfectionism and procrastination.

I told someone that recently and he said he was surprised to hear it. At which point I said I was surprised to hear that he was surprised. It was one huge awkwardly pleasant surprise for both of us.

He asked me how I managed to build and run a business and, on top of that, write a book. And said that he too dreams of having his own business and writing a book, but he just can’t find the motivation to keep things going.

And then he sent me a sad gif so I could imagine his sadness to a greater degree.

Things like this happen every now and then, and I’m still learning the best way to respond to them.

Here we have this young dude, full of potential, knows more or less what he wants to do, but just can’t keep himself accountable to actually do them.

I imagine there are loads of people like that, because to some extent, I can be like that too.

Well, he asked me what he should do and I wanted to help, but I didn’t have much time with him, so I told him this: Just Take Action.

Do something. Anything. It doesn’t matter how small or how crappy the result will turn out. Just do it.

What to start a business? Just start with some light research. Make lists. Outlines. Start writing your ideas. Potential industries. Potential vendors. Types of customers. Problems you can solve. Issues that fire you up. Solutions you can bring to the table. The people and technology you would need for those solutions. Make just a few phone calls. Send just a couple emails. Etc. Etc.

It doesn’t matter how small the task is, just go and start there.


Just Take Action.

He said something you might be wondering: “What about the motivation?”

Motivation does beget action, no argument there. But action also begets motivation.

It’s not just: Motivation > Action
It’s more like: Motivation > Action > Motivation

As soon as you create a bit of momentum, it’s a lot easier to keep going.

So, if you want to write a book, don’t just start writing your book. Start by writing one paragraph, or one chapter title. One small anything.

Sooner or later, before you know it, you’ll have what you’re trying to create.

P.S. I used this tactic every time I needed to work on my book, and because of that process, I ended up with about 70 titles for my book. Most of them were terrible. Here's a picture of a few of them:

285780815_2716221785181208_7096070916848867946_n.jpg
 
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Mikkel

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They need to find a strong motivator. Maybe their life is too easy or they don't understand what the trajectory of their life will be if they don't change.

Have them become aware of their trajectory and show them an alternative, like starting a business or writing a book.

Personally, I HATE my job. My family tells me I should find a new job so I am not so miserable. I'm still working that job because it keeps me highly motivated to continue working on my new business. I know I have a tendency to procrastinate, I've done it so many times. Since starting my current job, that has not been the case.

Of course, this model is not sustainable. One of two things will happen:
1. I will succeed in my business venture and will quit my current job
2. I will fail at this business venture and I will have to leave this job as hating your job is not a great thing for one's health

Either way, that strong motivator will not be around forever. So finding purpose in your work is important too. Maybe you are working to provide a better life for your family. There are many other motivators, but strong hate for your current situation is a great initial motivator.
 

Woosah

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They need to find a strong motivator. Maybe their life is too easy or they don't understand what the trajectory of their life will be if they don't change.

Have them become aware of their trajectory and show them an alternative, like starting a business or writing a book.

Personally, I HATE my job. My family tells me I should find a new job so I am not so miserable. I'm still working that job because it keeps me highly motivated to continue working on my new business. I know I have a tendency to procrastinate, I've done it so many times. Since starting my current job, that has not been the case.

Of course, this model is not sustainable. One of two things will happen:
1. I will succeed in my business venture and will quit my current job
2. I will fail at this business venture and I will have to leave this job as hating your job is not a great thing for one's health

Either way, that strong motivator will not be around forever. So finding purpose in your work is important too. Maybe you are working to provide a better life for your family. There are many other motivators, but strong hate for your current situation is a great initial motivator.
That's a really great point you've made. Surely there are better motivators you can find than "I will make myself miserable every day until I build this business" though :rofl:
 

Mikkel

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That's a really great point you've made. Surely there are better motivators you can find than "I will make myself miserable every day until I build this business" though :rofl:
For sure it is not a sustainable situation, but the point is that people get motivated when the alternative to working hard on a side business is hard work and being unhappy in your current situation. At least, when I am working hard on my side business, it is on my own terms.

I also have a pretty solid timeline of when my business will get off the ground. If things don't work out, then I will change jobs.

I will say, it has been an incredible motivator for me though. This has been the most focused I've been in a while!
 
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Yogi_Fastlane

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Like many of you, maybe, I can be in moods where I struggle with things like perfectionism and procrastination.

I told someone that recently and he said he was surprised to hear it. At which point I said I was surprised to hear that he was surprised. It was one huge awkwardly pleasant surprise for both of us.

He asked me how I managed to build and run a business and, on top of that, write a book. And said that he too dreams of having his own business and writing a book, but he just can’t find the motivation to keep things going.

And then he sent me a sad gif so I could imagine his sadness to a greater degree.

Things like this happen every now and then, and I’m still learning the best way to respond to them.

Here we have this young dude, full of potential, knows more or less what he wants to do, but just can’t keep himself accountable to actually do them.

I imagine there are loads of people like that, because to some extent, I can be like that too.

Well, he asked me what he should do and I wanted to help, but I didn’t have much time with him, so I told him this: Just Take Action.

Do something. Anything. It doesn’t matter how small or how crappy the result will turn out. Just do it.

What to start a business? Just start with some light research. Make lists. Outlines. Start writing your ideas. Potential industries. Potential vendors. Types of customers. Problems you can solve. Issues that fire you up. Solutions you can bring to the table. The people and technology you would need for those solutions. Make just a few phone calls. Send just a couple emails. Etc. Etc.

It doesn’t matter how small the task is, just go and start there.


Just Take Action.

He said something you might be wondering: “What about the motivation?”

Motivation does beget action, no argument there. But action also begets motivation.

It’s not just: Motivation > Action
It’s more like: Motivation > Action > Motivation

As soon as you create a bit of momentum, it’s a lot easier to keep going.

So, if you want to write a book, don’t just start writing your book. Start by writing one paragraph, or one chapter title. One small anything.

Sooner or later, before you know it, you’ll have what you’re trying to create.

P.S. I used this tactic every time I needed to work on my book, and because of that process, I ended up with about 70 titles for my book. Most of them were terrible. Here's a picture of a few of them:

285780815_2716221785181208_7096070916848867946_n.jpg
It may sound morbid, but Death is the ultimate impetus.

Over the years, I've observed many people including my parents, how life just passes by.

Life is finite, more so, the periods in one's life is finite, you are a child for a decade, then you become a teenager for another, a young fellow for another decade and then a midlifer for another 15 years, the remaining life is vigourless and if you lose your sense of reality (a realistic possibility in the exponential world we live in), then it will become miserable.

Whatever one wants to achieve, shall go ahead with it, fidgeting will take you no where.
 

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