Self Motivation : How do you motivate your self ?

Not having anyone around you that is supportive--or worse, someone who is negative about what you're trying to do ("Nobody *ever* makes money off the Internet; why don't you get a real job?")--is a tough ride. Been there a few times, running my own business, running in elections, making big life choices...in fact, after I moved to the US just over 2 years ago now, I haven't even seen any of my friends from back home in person. They're 3000 miles away.

I do my best to keep in touch with my really motivated friends by skype and phone (one actually won't use skype or facebook!). In my experience, people you know who are motivated on their own are usually interested in similarly-minded people: even if they don't share your goal, they probably want to help you with it. Only the most incredibly self-centered and vain wouldn't want to lend a hand with someone who is clearly trying.

If there's nobody you can physically see to help you, bounce ideas off of and generally be supportive, then I'd look for someone online. Having just one other individual to help, expand on ideas, give suggestions etc. really adds fuel to the fire. Being the only person who thinks you can do a thing or be someone can be a depressing and lonely road if you're surrounded by other people who don't care.

When I get pressured by "well-meaning" in-laws and other people who believe that making money online is just a fantasy, I remind myself that:

a) they are old-fashioned thinkers, who believe that having a 9-5 job is safety...yet there is no such thing as safety anymore

b) I am responsible for my income, not them, and I know this way is the most effective for ensuring the level I want...especially since I make at least 2 or 3 X what I would in a corporate setting doing exactly the same work

c) nobody will ever care as much as you about your dreams, goals, ideas, business...I tell the business owners that I work with this, because they often have never thought about it, and don't 'get' why their employees don't do the things they will do.

In your case, Jay, it sounds like you're a High-I type...when you share that you did things before because you wanted to look good to others, that's the signal. Means that you've really got to dig to find what's important to YOU. You should have lots of creative ideas; now, how do you get those ideas harnessed into creating a specific reality?

Thanks Jason. The wort part is procrastination due to lack of motivation. Since their is no one is kick my butt except me I have to keep my self motivated. Few months ago I learned meditation and do it morning and evening which is helping me plus forums like this where I can find out my issues are not unique to me, 43things and a lot of audio books.

Last night on BBCtv (UK) there was a cracking documentary on mark zuckerberg, The speed of growth when you have an idea was mindblowing.

Ill be watching that again!

Every morning write a list of things you want to accomplish and don't do anything else until that list is complete.

Understand how hard it is with someone around you who is not motivated, especially when you're having a difficult time. We all need someone to talk too, warriors are a great help in that respect.

How I motivate myself is to remember that I am the most important person in the world to me and that everything I do will help ME gain the lifestyle I chose.

We need to look after ourselves first, this is NOT selfish. In for example an air crash, you need to take oxygen first, so you can help others around you. It's the same in all situations in life.

Also, I look at my darling animals, they never complain, never grumble and are always 'Up" and ready with a friendly cuddle.

If you do not have someone to motivate you then you should try to become motivation for that person. This will help both of you.

I motivate myself by keeping my goals constantly on my mind, and by attending funerals as much as possible!

Funerals? Yes, they keep things in perspective for me. They help me reflect how short life is, and that I ought to do the best that I can. Thus, reflecting on death, helps me in having a firm grasp on life.

It really motivates me to see and feel how awesome it would be to accomplish my goals and live the life I have always dreamed about!

Think of all the great things that would happen if you take action and what it would cost you if you dont take action today.

What help me out me in the past, i kept positive people arround me, it does not necessarily have to someone doing online marketing, just plan positive people, and than i scale down who i really want to spend more time with that can help me with the direction i want to go . Their is alot of people out there willing to help with nothing in return, but appreciation.

I visualize the potential fruits of success to motivate myself.

I get motivated by reading some quotes I find online or in some parts of this forum section.

I think of my critics and people around who don't like me as my motivation, the more they criticize the more i keep going.

I think the most under-used asset that everyone has is the power to believe. No joke, thinking you can do something and believing you can are two very different things.

Faith goes a long way and that's what sets the successful ones form the rest.

2 things: goals and seeing results. I set goals and then use analytics to measure the progress along the way. If I see progress that gets me stoked because it's one step closer to the goal.

Also good old fashion motivational videos on youtube, usually of sports.

For people like that, it usually takes a little bit of success to convince them. At the same time, that same little bit of success also motivates you because it increases your belief that you can do a thing.

I feel ya with having someone unmotivating around you. It's very discouraging at times. One thing I've been told that has been helping me to stay motivated is to focus on the wins. I haven't made any money with IM yet but I've got some wins under my belt in other things so if I can win at those things I can win at this with enough time and effort.

pbjay

Self motivation is exactly that - self motivation. So you cannot get someone else to self motivate you. I understand you may comprehend that, but thought i'd mention it anyway as obvious as it is.

Perhaps if you are looking for help outside of yourself you are on some level doubting the very thing you are trying to self motivate in yourself...

The key then is to not look towards others to motivate you. If they choose to, if they do it additional to your personal efforts then thats a great added benefit.

It should not however, be the precursor or the given towards motivation of self.

Motivation doesnt last long , the same goes woth positive thinking, you need to really understand things as have goals and a plan to acheive them.

to be wealthy you need s plan to be wealthy, nothing worth having comes without effort

What I try to do is write a list of everything I want to accomplish. Then I work on that list all day until I am done. Motivation sometimes comes from necessity

First, we should have right understanding about what is motivation itself
You can read a book titled "drive", which tells us the surprising truth about motivation.

It changes my way of thinking about motivation. We all know that people tend to get motivation with external/extrinsic factor such: punishment, money, reward, etc. But, on top of that, what really works for human being to really get motivated is called "intrinsic motivation".

It is very recommended book for all of you who want to have right mindset about motivation.

Our goals will automatically motive ourself

Going off the title of the thread only.

My motivation is COFFEE without it i wouldnt know how to do anything.

Motivate your partner first and it will empower you. Make sure his on the track with, nothing can motivate you as much but your partner.

I play soccer, and I use to motivate myself by saying that I want to be one of the most desirable by practicing on what i don’t do well at! And takes hard work, but keep doing it and the people will see your changes! Like I’m a goalie, the hardest position in soccer because u can’t mess up! And i kept practicing, and I’m a really good keeper. Just need to practice on my catching the ball LOL. But the best motivation is in your soul! You can do it!

Motivation can often be a very temporary thing, or an artificial 'high' so to speak. I never try to motivate my clients. I do try to help them change their own internal beliefs and expectations.

When the real changes take place are internal, changing the person's mindset towards the end goals. The hard part is that while you can 'pump up' someone, and motivate them, that is the temporary effect. Motivation that is provided from the external has very limited result.

The internal drivers have to change. One of the best ways to make this change is to later actual behavior patterns based on the end goals. People do not like to acknowledge this, but we all tend to become the average of those we spend the most time with. In fitness/health, definitely in income, in values, etc... this is true. We are creatures of habit and creatures of accepting the 'comfort' of the familiar over the fear of the changes - even when we know we need to change. Without an internal change, the average and familiar wins, every time.

Spend more time around the people who already are where you are headed. Spend less time around the people who are not - or worse are dragging you down. The worst golfer in the world will get better (at golf - not relationships!) by spending time around Tiger Woods, even if Tiger never provided one direct lesson. Simply being surround by that level of golf, over time, and that worst golfer will learn via observation and internal shifts towards the game.

I'm not talking about skill level here, this doesn't mean hanging around a great golfer makes you a great golfer, you still have to practice and do the work - just that the practice and work you do will be quite different and your internal drive will be quite different. I do not believe that mindset alone can cause the changes, you still have to work, still have to do what needs to be done. The mind-shift is key though, to that work having 'staying power'.

I'll give a very simple and clear example of this. Imagine you are having a great day on the beach, fun in the sand with your family. You are wearing just your bathing suit and some comfy sandals. You need to go get some drinks and food for your family. There are two options for you, same menu and same price at both. Also, both restaurants are filled with people who are your exact demographic - same age, same income, same background, etc... There is one difference between the two, however.

Inside the first, everyone is dressed just like you, relaxed, comfortable, having fun and joking around. Inside the other, everyone is dressed in formal wear, and the conversation is hushed, nothing negative just formal and quiet.

Which one do you go into? Why? Which one would be 'easy' for you to walk into, and which one would require you to be pumped up and motivated to walk into? You are the same person, there is no difference in you, and there is no difference in demographic between you and the other people inside either restaurant. The difference is who you would instantly be surround by. We're human, something as simple as dress code and level of dialogue does impact us.

Well, the exact same thing is true for the other areas of your life as well. You will go to where you feel comfortable.

So don't try to motivate yourself to do something. Instead, change your level of expectations so that thing (whatever it is) becomes your new average and your new normal.

Hope this helps!