Whatever it is that you want to accomplish – be it running a marathon, improving your academic writing skills, impressing your professor with a perfect essay, or learning to dance like a K-pop star – we believe it is possible, and you can do it. “It always seems impossible until it’s done,” said Nelson Mandela. What you need is a super-powerful engine that will take you from point A (your current location) to point B (your dream). And this super-powerful engine that can help you move mountains if you need to is called motivation. And motivation is a tricky thing: most people think they know how it works, but only a few can use it to their advantage. We have compiled for you a concise and yet comprehensive guide to motivation that aims to help you understand what motivation is and how to turn it on.

What Is Motivation?

These days motivation is one of the most widely discussed topics among students. No wonder, with so much stress and uncertainty caused by the global pandemic, many young people around the world feel at a loss and often experience a lack of motivation. The good news is that this problem can be dealt with. And the first step is to become a motivation expert. So, first and foremost, you have to answer a simple question: “What is motivation?”

Psychologists define motivation as “the process that initiates, guides, and maintains goal-oriented behaviours.” In simple words, motivation is the driving force that makes you act to achieve something – fetch a glass of water or receive a university degree. Moreover, motivation has to do with a change.

So, motivation is a push you give yourself when you really want to change something. But how does this push work?

How Does Motivation Work?

Scholars distinguish two main types of motivation: extrinsic motivation and intrinsic motivation.

Extrinsic motivation arises from outside factors, and it is usually triggered by rewards such as money, trophies, verbal encouragement, social approval, increased popularity, etc. Basically, it is a stick-and-carrot situation in which your willingness to do something depends on your fear of losing the reward or, even worse, being punished.

Intrinsic motivation arises from within the individual and is brought into action by sincere enjoyment and gratification of doing something that matters to you. So, if you keep doing your homework on a daily basis, you are most likely moved by a complex combination of motivations which include extrinsic ones (you do want to get high grades and one day to become a successful professional earning a lot of money, don’t you?) and intrinsic ones (some of the books and assignments are really interesting and fun to work with).

While the extrinsic motives are more obvious, the intrinsic motivations last longer and work better, trust us. So, if you really worried about your grades but also want to find time for meaningful things that matter to you, you can always get professional help from essayservice, which will allow you to spend more time planning your future and achieving your dreams.

Motivation has three key elements: activation, persistence, and intensity. In simple terms, if you want to achieve something, you need to take the first step (activation), keep going (persistence), and do your best (intensity). When these three components work together, success is inevitable.

How Can You Boost Your Motivation?

  • Pursue goals that really matter to you. If some of your goals do not seem exciting, review them and try to understand if they lead to something you truly want or if they are a reflection of social trends or your friends’ choices.
  • Set clear goals. If you want to achieve something big, come up with a plan, write out the steps you need to take, and define deadlines.
  • Track your progress and celebrate small victories!
  • Remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day. Big achievements require time and effort. Do not give up too easily!
  • Read success stories of people who have achieved a similar goal.
  • Make your goals tangible by visualising them.
  • Read inspiring quotes.
  • Find people who are passionate about the same thing as you and talk to them as often as possible.
  • Become a motivation expert – read articles on motivation, listen to TED-talks, and apply what you have learned in your daily life.
  • Create a support group – friends and family will cheer for you and encourage you to keep going.

3 Things You Need to Remember About Motivation

  1. Sometimes apathy and lack of energy are symptoms of a mental health condition. So, if you struggle with a low mood for longer than two weeks, talk to a doctor and get help.
  2. “People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily,” said Zig Ziglar. Remember, you need to re-kindle the fire every once in a while.
  3. There is no universal recipe that will suit everyone. If one thing has not worked for you, do not give up and keep trying.

We wish you the best of luck!