How to Stay Motivated

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Staying Motivated at all times

Each of us has a motive to do things. Not all of us have the energy to stay motivated. So, how to stay motivated is a major question even for the inspired and a motivated individual. The simple reason being that there are many factors which influence motivation levels. Goal Setting is an important part in staying motivated and you may follow the links to related resources below.

On this page we shall touch up on the overall aspects which need to be given importance in helping to stay focussed with a high motivation level. You may click on the table of contents to go directly to the topic of your choice or choose to scroll down to read further. Good luck and best wishes.

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"Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it."

Raymond Chandler

Don't Quit

What Keeps You Motivated?

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Factors that affect Motivation Levels - A to Z

Listed below are some of the factors that affect the motivational levels. There are of course many more covering the entire gamut of the English vocabulary.
  • Ability - The individual ability to accomplish a task requires Self-assessment skills. Feelings of 'lack of ability' can damage one's Self Esteem and lose confidence in oneself.
  • Balance - This is again an ability to balance between work and life (Work time with Personal time and space).
  • Courage - The fear of failure and the lack of courage can be a major deterrent if the inner energies are not channelled properly.
  • Diet - The food and the diet that we consume, influences the metabolism and the thinking process.
  • Energy and Enthusiasm - The physical and mental stamina and energy levels.
  • Fear - Again, similar to courage or the lack of it.
  • Goal - The final outcome or the desired result.
  • Humor - Humor is again an ability to see the lighter side of life.
  • Inspiration - The difference between Inspiration and Motivation lies in the fact that inspiration is from 'within' and motivation is determined by 'external' factors.
  • Joy - The happiness one derives in achieving the desired result.
  • Knowledge - Acquiring and applying the knowledge required to complete the task to the desired effect.
  • Life - Life and the personal outlook on life plays a major role in shaping the outcome.
  • Mood - One of the reasons to stay in a positive frame of mind.
  • Negativity - Negativity in any form; both external and internal.
  • Outcome - The end result.
  • Power - Often ignored. One needs to feel empowered enough to succeed at a given task.
  • Quality - Quality is a very vast subject which play an important role and again often ignored.
  • Rest - The need to stay calm with enough rest and relaxation.
  • Self - There is no better person other than oneself, who can determine the effects.
  • Time - Managing time is one of the major influencing factors.
  • Ultimatum - The deadline.
  • Variety - The variety and variations required to avoid monotony.
  • Will - The will and wish to do a task.
  • X - Factor - There will always be an unknown factor which will crop up. Always have a 'Plan B'.
  • You - You are the driver of anything that you do.
  • Zest - It is invariably important to have a zest for life!

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Motivation and Inspiration

It is important to understand that motivation is extrinsic and Inspiration is intrinsic. When all the controllable elements are factored in, external motivation becomes minimal. When you take up tasks that inspire you; you will automatically be inspired or motivated from 'within' - meaning, little or no external motivating factors will be required to achieve the desired result.

It is only when we take up tasks that fail to inspire us, we start losing focus and the desired energy levels start to dip. When greater amounts of external motivating factors become a requirement, they invariably start telling upon you and the task becomes a burden! Greater and more levels of energy requirements that need to fuel the fire, can only drain the 'life' out of you. So when it comes to choices in life, it is always better to choose what inspires you rather than what motivates you!

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Motivation or Inspiration

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Motivation

karlp295 says:

Motivation begins with your vision and what you want to do in your life. From there working steadily towards your goals requires motivation. Thanks to you for the inspiration that will motivate many who visit this page. Great job!

A-Redneck says:

Motivation. I live each day to be as strong as I am able to be.

Close2Art says:

motispiration

crstnblue says:

Oops, here I cannot opt for a single choice - it all depends - sometimes if satisfied with inspirational moments can get (more) motivated; while, other times if motivated, I get more inspired... Hope it makes sens...

Inspiration

Tipi says:

Inspiration motivates me. But, when inspiration isn't here, my goals keep me going.

cdcraftee says:

Uh-oh, think I hit the cancel button - otherwise you'll get this message twice!
Who was it who said - "Invention is 1% inspiration...and 99% perspiration"? Einstein?
Couldn't agree more!
Christine

TLRaghavan says:

I believe I am an inspired person.

nikos says:

I will say inspiration.

Duane_Jackson says:

Inspiration. Inspiration motivates me to achieve goals!

 

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Jonathan Sprinkles - Getting and Staying Motivated

Jonathan Sprinkles-Getting and Staying Motivated Pt.1
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Your Motivational Message & Inspirational Advice:

  • Tipi Mar 19, 2012 @ 9:47 am | delete
    Thank you for the motivational encouragement.
    I'm off to leap tall buildings now....:)
  • Pinkchic18 Feb 23, 2012 @ 8:56 am | delete
    Great job with this lens! My husband is a great motivator for me and I'm happy to have him :)
  • A-Redneck Dec 12, 2011 @ 10:15 am | delete
    Just keep sending yourself positive messages and eliminate any negative ones. These messages do get through and block out any negative messages that others may have imposed on you in the past.
  • cdcraftee Nov 28, 2011 @ 3:33 am | delete
    JUST DO IT!.... your own personal best...remembering that tomorrow may never come.
    And if it does, would you want to think you hadn't tried?
    Thank you Charles, for challenging us all...to do it better!
    Christine
  • autofanatic Nov 27, 2011 @ 12:25 pm | delete
    Hi Charles, nice lens. Twenty years in the military taught me one thing. While it is possible to "motivate" people to do things, inspiring them is a far more powerful tool. Frankly, if I have to motivate myself to do something, it's difficult. When I'm inspired to do things it's easy.
  • Jolene_Belmain Nov 19, 2011 @ 12:13 pm | delete
    Keep your body and mind healthy..... you and your loved ones are worth it :)
  • bloomingrose Nov 15, 2011 @ 10:40 pm | delete
    I think that different people are motivated in different ways, and finding that out is a major way to help people. I believe that one thing that motivates me is if I believe something will really work - then I am willing to go outside my comfort zone. Also organization - sometimes our new changes require new ways of using our time, and we have to provide for this.
  • nikosgr Nov 15, 2011 @ 10:14 am | delete
    Follow your heart and believe in you!!!
  • Close2Art Nov 15, 2011 @ 9:08 am | delete
    "Follow Your Bliss"...Joseph Campbell
  • crstnblue Nov 14, 2011 @ 1:15 pm | delete
    Tough request! : ) I think when one is in peace with her/ himself, does not count on anybody around and has no expectations, could achieve everything, gets motivated thru within and (happily) inspired.
  • Duane_Jackson Nov 13, 2011 @ 4:27 pm | delete
    Awesome motivational lens!
  • hamshi5433 Nov 13, 2011 @ 11:19 am | delete
    Lens 99! Congrats So happy for you! My message for you is [not actually mine] but what I wana say right now..
    "When the world says give up, Hope whispers try it one more time"
    Dont ever give up your effort/hard work at any point because I know and you know it will defo pay off one day soon or later. I admire your joyful spirit :)
  • aesta1 Nov 13, 2011 @ 2:59 am | delete
    Am with Marciag about self motivation...no external factor can do that to me.
  • marciag Nov 13, 2011 @ 12:44 am | delete
    Great lens. I've read somewhere that motivation comes from within, that when somebody manages to motivate you, he's only bringing out to light what it's already inside you, your inner motivation. That's why money is only a short term, temporary motivator. The intrinsic one is the real one.

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Hi, My name is Charles - author of the book Karma in Christianity. I write on theology, theophilosophy, personal development & healthy living. I welcome... more »

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