Is one born with motivation, or is it something that can be learned?

Question

I have trouble motivating myself to do anything... go to work, clean the house, take care of routine errands, etc.
Is motivation something you are born with, or can it be learned or taught?

Thanks so much to everyone who has answered so far! Almost all have been filled with great advice.

I've been tested... I'm not anemic nor do I have any thyroid problems.

Answer 1

It is one of the most important things that can be taught.
It is taught and influenced upon you by mostly your caretakers (parents, guardians, people you look up to, grandparents, etc.)
But it can be self-taught

1) One thing you can try is to write down your short/long term goals on a piece of paper and look at it every day (I know it sounds childish, but it works; world-famous athletes do it, Michael Phelps does it, and so does Apolo Ohno. )

2) Getting into the zone: Another is to take time to focus yourself before doing a certain thing for 5-15 min. It will prepare you for a hard day of work, or cleaning the house.

3) Yet another thing is to let your mind drift, so you are not totally consiously aware of your surroundings (listening to music or the TV works)

4) Get into a pattern. Set aside 30 minutes to 1hr to clean your house, going about your routine errands, etc. Starting that pattern is the hardest because you don't want to do it, but once you do, it gets pretty easy.

There are tons of things you can do to motivate yourself. Bottom line is: it takes will to do so, and you posting this question shows will.

Answer 2

I believe motivation can be taught if having low energy is not an issue.

My 2 cents on a technique: Have you ever been to a motivational seminar? You feel like a million bucks afterwards! The speakers are professionals at motivating almost anyone. Those seminars are usually very expensive. The problem is after a few weeks you forget all about the seminar and are back to you're same old ways.

What the speakers are giving everyone is fuel. Fuel that eventually will run out. You can keep the fuel going by listening to motivational tapes or reading motivational books to get you're morning started. There are several good ones out there, start out with a Anthony Robbins book. With the books, what I used to do is tear out about 5-10 pages each morning and take them with me. Why ruin the book you say? "A ruined book that was fully used is much better that a brand new one that hardly ever gets opened"

If that doesn't work it may have to do with you're physical condition. You're intentions may be good, but if you find yourself falling into the same procastination loop year after year without being able to break out, you may have a condition that you're doctor may be able to help you out with. The answers below sound great but they are theoretical. It is like someone telling you to just stop eating fatty foods if you want to lose weight, "You know thats not going to happen"

Try to follow my advice below, and if you find yourself writing down you're goals and them forgetting about them, I would go see the Doc. You would be suprised what they can do for you.

Answer 3

Motivation is learned not taught, others can show you the way but they can't really teach you how to be motivated.I believe the mind,body and soul united as one can broaden your senses it can open a third eye for you a spirit eye.You will see yourself more and more on a deeper level.Do not think or believe your having trouble motivating yourself but say it vividly and meaningful that you do have motivation this is a battle within yourself.You are your own master so it's time to claim your mastery of the mind,body and soul as it once were. Entrust yourself and the outcome shall turn out the way you projected it to be. Envision it Believe in it and Make it happened.

Answer 4

There are type A personalities that are very driven - on the other hand there are those that are more laid-back. I think it's a blend of genetics and how you were raised. It's not so bad to be content, as long as you are making some strides to achieve important things on your list, like have a career/job/family whatever your values are. Maybe you just haven't found your niche yet! :)

One thing to consider is that the months & years go by anyway - and you may as well have something to show for it in the end. Education, travel, investments, friends & family.

Answer 5

Motivation is learned, at least - that's what I think. Er, I once had problems with motivation but then I realized that I shouldn't be placing so much pressure on myself to be a cookie cutter cut out of everyone else. So yeah, just take things at your own pace and figure your s**t out and you'll probably find your motivation there.

Answer 6

If I were you, and I have been there, I'd get a physical check-up. Turned out, I was anemic and had low thyroid.
What a blast! I now have energy, but I still have to clean the house. Where to start?

Answer 7

We are all motivated - we just may not be motivated to do what someone else wants us to do. Certainly there is something that motivates you. The rest of the tasks/chores are things you will do in order to get along with people, make money, and be able to do the things that really motivate you.

Answer 8

I think it is something you learn all through life. I watched my parents work hard(my dad's a carpenter, my mom stayed home with us kids) all my life. I think if my parents were the type to set and do nothing all the time then I would have turned out that way too. Everyone has lazy moments but you just have to make yourself get up and do something cause nothing will get done by itself. Once you get started you'll see that it all goes by quickly and easier than you were thinking.

Answer 9

I think both. I think some people are born with it but I also believe that it can be taught if you are not.... Anything can be taught! And remember, actions speak louder than words.

Answer 10

the busier your lifestyle is, the more motivated you become. if i wake up with a list of things to do, i am very motivated that day. if i wake up with no agenda, then i am very lazy. no one is born motivated.