problems with self-motivation. Any tips?

Question

I am a very creative and ambitious person, but I don't have one of those constant running motors that makes me get up and go. Some days I really accomplish a lot, and other days I just can't muster the drive to do anything at all. I have struggled all my life to be more structured, disciplined, and work harder, but all I have done is become even more extreme on and off. Should I just accept that I am not a steady structured person, or should I find some way to boost my energy and drive? I am open to any and all serious ideas.

Please give a thoughtful answer. "just get your a s s in gear" is not going to do any good. Thanks.

Thanks guys. I actually organize my activities with a lot of to-do and goal lists. These things help keep me on task. But I still have a lot of days when I just blow everything off.

Answer 1

I think it's time to accept yourself the way you are and work with that. You probably aren't going to change. What you should do is find a way to be productive within your personality type.

When you do have productive moments take full advantage of it. If you are feeling productive but you told friends you'd go to a movie with them, cancel the movie date and do your work. Explain to your friends in advance that you have to take advantage of your motivation when it occurs and ask that they be understanding about not always being reliable with events. Don't follow regular hours on your productive days, just keep working as long as you can.

I hope you have the type of lifestyle that can accommodate your personality. If you don't, I'd seriously consider changing things around to fit you, instead of trying to change you to fit your surroundings.

Answer 2

Well think like this: life goes on whether you want it to or not. Even though you feel as though your world has come to a stop, the outside world hasn't. Obviously there is a deeper issue going on. I am not a psychologist yet but I plan on studying it more to understand things like this. But from what I do know, I would say that you should get help. There are many things going on with you all at one time, so it is rather hard to just pinpoint what the problem is, u know? And asking ways to motivate yourself can only help to the extent of studying to bring up your grades and to stop procrastinating. I know alot of people have a stigmatism towards others who seek help (FYI: not all people who seek professional help are crazy). It just shows that you are confident enough and strong enough to realize that you need some guidance to sort your life out. You know what you want for yourself to be satisfied and happy....and that's good! Hope everything works out.

Answer 3

Caffeine helps. One of the best things is to do some sort of daily exercise routing. Regulating blood sugar is also important. Most people are hypoglycemic to some extent, meaning that too much or too little blood sugar will make them tired or angry. Alot of the time this sort of thing has a physical cause.
Alot of people in your situation also have the false belief that they can get away with being sloppy just because they're brilliant, or the converse belief that it doesn't make a difference being organized anyways. Although you'll have good streaks and bad streaks, organization improves your batting average.
It's best just to combat laziness on all fronts, starting with the little things.

Answer 4

Sounds like you have thought this trough. Try adding more structure to your life by setting goals and objectives with high pay value, from your perspective. That is, set goals and objectives that are reachable yet challenging and have a payoff that makes you work hard to achieve them. The more you practice this type of behavior modification the easier it becomes as you incrementally develop new comfort zones.

Answer 5

Sometimes telling yourself to get your *** in gear is the best thing to do, but you must listen to what you are saying. Making a LIST OF GOALS FOR THE FUTURE [for tomorrow or next year or whatever] is a good start to keeping motivated. Hope this is some help.

Answer 6

You might not like this answer, but try changing your diet and exercise habits. We are what we eat and think. That's right, your lethargy may not be your fault. It may be your body chemistry. Maybe you are eating foods that are draining your energy. Maybe you are depressed about something - that will also sap your strength and desire to act. Maybe you are missing some nutrients or vitamins. Are you overweight? Are you suffering from recent emotional trauma? Do you eat mostly junk foods or foods with lots of sugar? That will also sap your energy. Also, do you drink enough water during the day? The body needs this to eliminate the poisons from our bodies.

Answer 7

Hmmm..

Ask a psychiatrist if some kind of drug can help. At the same time set goals for yourself that you can work toward when you are motivated and those other times try to relax. When I am motivated I read self help books but when I want to relax I read a mystery or sci fi/fantasy....

Answer 8

Try joining a health club or get a good work out at home. Maybe you are a little depressed and working out would be the cure.

Answer 9

try to trick yourself into doing things. keep dry erase boards around and write one or two word notes to remind yourself what projects you could be working on. take a multivitamin daily and calcium/magnesium/zinc/D, perhaps research ginseng and try ginseng pills. perhaps listenening to music might help with some tasks. figure out what situations/people inspire you to get something done.

Answer 10

Sounds to me like you need a good, long-term goal. Something you can focus on while grinding out the daily stuff you have to do.