By Rachel Sajban
Composition Staff
Windom Shopper, MN
How do you take the desire to do something and put it into practice? On our recent MVP call we all came to the table with thoughts about what motivates us to get things done.
One of the topics of discussion was intrinsic versus extrinsic motivators. Intrinsic motivators are the inner thoughts and desires that make you want to do something. These can be a sense of purpose, pride, curiosity or a desire to develop a skill. Extrinsic motivators are the outside rewards or punishments that can influence you. Some of these can include a paycheck, forwarding your career, validation, or material rewards or the opposite if you fail to do your tasks.
Knowing these styles doesn’t really answer the question of how to get motivated, but it’s good to recognize if you are someone who has more of an intrinsic or extrinsic motivation style. Usually there is a bit of overlap depending on what tasks you are motivating yourself for, so look at your life and see what things you inherently want to do and what things you may need an external push for.
In our call, we all came up with some different ways that we get motivated. Take a look at some of them and see if they can help you to turn your desire to get things done into forward motion:
There, of course, are many more ways to motivate yourself, but hopefully this list acts a good jumping off point for you to get things done and feel good about it!
Rachel
Composition Staff
Windom Shopper, MN
How do you take the desire to do something and put it into practice? On our recent MVP call we all came to the table with thoughts about what motivates us to get things done.
One of the topics of discussion was intrinsic versus extrinsic motivators. Intrinsic motivators are the inner thoughts and desires that make you want to do something. These can be a sense of purpose, pride, curiosity or a desire to develop a skill. Extrinsic motivators are the outside rewards or punishments that can influence you. Some of these can include a paycheck, forwarding your career, validation, or material rewards or the opposite if you fail to do your tasks.
Knowing these styles doesn’t really answer the question of how to get motivated, but it’s good to recognize if you are someone who has more of an intrinsic or extrinsic motivation style. Usually there is a bit of overlap depending on what tasks you are motivating yourself for, so look at your life and see what things you inherently want to do and what things you may need an external push for.
In our call, we all came up with some different ways that we get motivated. Take a look at some of them and see if they can help you to turn your desire to get things done into forward motion:
- Turn on background noise like a podcast or music. Make sure it is something that helps you rather than distracts you. For some people upbeat music helps, but for others soft instrumentals keep them focused.
- Make a list of the things you need to do and be satisfied as you cross things off of it.
- Just do the first step in the task you need to do. For example, open the file cabinet you need to organize, or get your laptop out. Even if it takes a while to get started the first step can get the ball rolling.
- Change your scenery. Whether that be working from a café, taking a quick walk or even just changing the seat you sit in.
- Set a timer for your task. Work on it for the extent of the timer with minimal distractions, and when the timer goes off see where you’re at. Do you think you can continue the task? Or is it time to move to a different one so you can refresh your brain.
- Tell yourself that if you finish your task, you can treat yourself to something special (extrinsic reward).
There, of course, are many more ways to motivate yourself, but hopefully this list acts a good jumping off point for you to get things done and feel good about it!
Rachel