21 Absurdly Simple Motivation Tricks You Can Use Right Now
8 Sep
Image: healingdream / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Move
Go for a walk. Jump up and down. Run into the middle of the street (no, don’t do that.)
It’s been said a million times, so this makes it 1,000,001. When we move, we feel better, think better, and do better. If you want to get something done, start moving.
Break It Down, Again and Again
Everyone says break down your goal. I’m different. I say, Break down your goal, and then break it down again! (I know, I’m a wizard with this stuff.)
Goals are about change and change is scary. So people hesitate, forget, and move on. But not if you make the step forward small enough. In that case, the discomfort is lowered to an acceptable level and you actually do it. So break it down, again and again.
Never Wait for Permission
If you’ve been with me for a while, you’ll remember that I gave you permission to do whatever you wanted to do a few weeks ago. So this one is for the new readers…or the old ones with terrible memories.
People want someone, somewhere, to say it’s okay. They need reassurance that their ideas aren’t ridiculous. Do they really need it? Of course not, but they feel they do. So they wait for someone to give permission, and waiting is the enemy of progress.
Just in case you’re one of the waiters, here you go: I grant you permission to go forth with your crazy idea and have a wonderful time doing it.
Do It for Me (or Someone Else)
People like people. Not all people, of course, but we’re social creatures. We need companionship, conversation, connection. Let’s be terrible humans and use this to our advantage.
If you aren’t changing for you, do it for someone else. Think about how a better you will help you mom or dad, your husband or wife, your son or daughter. What will your success bring into their lives? (An example to follow? Security? A happier you?)
Get Around the Right People
The old adage: If you want to be rich, hang out with rich people. (Insert your goal in place of ‘rich,’ and the adage is all yours.)
When you spend time with people who have what you want–as opposed to merely reading about them–you can’t help but pick up a little of their mojo. You see how they think, how they interact with people, how they work through problems, how they respond to chaos. In essence, how they do what they do.
And when you do what they do, you get what they got.
Avoid the Wrong People
Franklin said it best: He that lieth down with Dogs, shall rise up with Fleas. In other words, the tip above works just as well in reverse. If you spend time with the wrong people, they’ll rub off on you.
We are genetically programmed to fit in. Otherwise, we’d be kicked out of the tribe and starve. So when good people are part of a bad group, they are motivated to join in and be accepted as one of the gang (which explains why gangs are so powerful). Avoid this risk. If your circle of friends includes people doing things you don’t want to do, make a change. Create some distance. Or run.
Mess with Your Routine
Routine is a killer…of hopes, dreams, and spontaneous dance sessions. It’s like a sopping wet blanket draped on us at all hours of the day; we drag ourselves, zombie-like, from one routine to the next. We’re not really living, just dragging.
You need to break out of this.
Do something different. Instead of coming home and flopping onto the couch, come home and flop onto your bike. Instead of hopping on Facebook at the start of the day, donate to a charity online. Instead of doing what you always do, do something different.
Never Wait for the Idea
Are you waiting for the idea to hit you? To punch you square in the nose, maybe sometime next month? Reality check: it won’t.
Whether it’s your life purpose or just a new hobby, people sit around and wait for the right idea to strike. “I’m not sure what I want. It’ll come sooner or later.” Bet on later.
You have to do things if you want to figure out what’s right for you. Join clubs. Read books. Meet people. Do, do do. Then you’ll know, for certain, which things are for you and which are for someone else.
Do One Thing
I’m working on a new book for you. Well, it’s an updated version of an old book. And it’s not just for you, but for everyone in our little community. (But mainly for you.)
This project is part of a long list of things I need to get done. As such, it’s not getting the attention it needs. What I need to do, and what you need to do with whatever you have to accomplish, is focus on finishing one thing. Not dabbling in dozens. Just one.
Push aside e-mail. Push aside television. Push aside all the little things that eat away at your time like a hungry caterpillar on a sunny day. Focus on getting one thing done, from start to finish. Then, when it’s complete, you can move on. But not until it’s done.
(I’ll take this advice in a moment, but if I followed it now the post would be over already.)
What is the Worst Thing?
What’s the absolute worst thing that will happen if you go for it and screw up? At first it might seem as though dreadful things will occur. The stock market will crash. Your car will explode. We’ll discover the moon isn’t made of cheese.
But, when you look at the facts, you quickly realize the worst case isn’t actually that bad.
Your life won’t be over if no one likes your novel. You won’t risk everything if you take that trip to Australia. You won’t pass out if you give that presentation to the board.
What is the Worst Thing? (Part 2)
Same question, different idea.
What’s the worst thing that will happen if you wimp out and give up before you even begin? Think bad, really bad. The more horrifying you make this picture, the more driven you’ll be to make sure it never happens.
(A smoker shouldn’t imagine wasting hoards of money or having trouble finishing a walk up the stairs; he should imagine leaving behind a family shattered, a loved one taken by cancer too soon.)
What is the Best Thing?
What is the absolute best thing that is going to happen when you finally reach your goal? As with the tip above, the bigger you make this possibility, the more motivational juice it will have.
Tips within a Tip: When you have your idea, write it down on paper and put it in a place you’ll see often. Then find pictures to represent that idea. If you want to be a philosophy professor, for example, you might find a picture of a cavernous lecture room. This image will automatically bring to mind the joy you’ll feel as you walk into your own classroom, dozens of seats filled with smiling faces eager to learn. (Hey, it’s your vision, so you can fudge the facts a little.)
New, New, New
Do something you’ve never done before.
Go Big
I know it’s cheesy–and I’m no fan of cheese–but the idea has some merit. If you aim high, you’ll make some pretty incredible things happen. Here’s why:
We aren’t excited about easy tasks. Tie your shoes today? Do a happy dance when finished? I didn’t think so. (If you did…well, congrats.) What excites us are true challenges. We love to be pushed, to overcome, to be victorious in the face of untold obstacles. It’s part of our chemistry.
We also love big ideas. They inspire. They fill our heads with hope. They motivate.
So think big.
DEADline
Choose a date on which to finish or your idea is as good as dead.
As a species, we can generate excuses faster than anything on earth. I’m flabbergasted at how quickly people churn out an endless stream of reasons why they can’t do something about their goals. Yes, flabbergasted.
We’re geniuses at rationalizing, so we have to be on guard against our own crafty selves. Deadlines are one way to do that. Put a concrete date on an idea and the wishy-washy concept becomes a real thing.
Instead of digging up excuses for procrastination, your brain looks for ways to finish the work by the end date.
Not Ready? Do It Anyway!
It doesn’t have to be perfect. This one idea could change your life forever.
Smart people from every walk of life run into this: they have an idea, learn about said idea, and, then, they learn a little more. Then a little more. Then a little more…then a little more.
It’s the good ol’ paralysis by analysis.
They put off actually doing the real work because learning about it is so much more comfortable. No real progress is made, but it sure feels like they’re doing something. They just keep learning, waiting for the moment when they know everything, when their plans are guaranteed to work flawlessly.
No more. Good enough is good enough. That video you want to put on your blog that has bad lighting? Get it up. That script you want to show your friends but has a few holes in the story? Show them. That dance routine you want to try out at the place where they do dance routines? Just dance.
The most important thing is to do it. You can fix it, tweak it, change it, scrap it later. But nothing happens until you put your idea in action. No more waiting, no more studying. Do it.
Realize (Part 1)
You know that thing you really want to do?
No, not that one. The other one.
Yeah…that one.
Someone else has already done it. Realize that means you can do it too.
Realize (Part 2)
You have the opportunity right now. You can finish reading this post (all the way to the end!) and do something about your goals or ideas. That’s right now. Tomorrow…next week…next month? Who knows.
There are no promises. Realize that what you see today might not be there tomorrow.
I suggest acting when you can. (That’s right now, but not until you’re done reading.)
Realize (Part 3)
Realize the plateau you hit may not be a sign to quit. It might be the dip, Seth Godin’s term for the hard part of the process that divides those who can’t hack it from those who stand above the crowd as truly special, as rare.
Quit
Having said that, sometimes it’s not only okay to quit, it’s the best possible choice.
When you know you’re heading down the wrong path–and not just a difficult stretch that challenges you–get out. There’s no sense in sticking with a goal that isn’t right for you, just as there’s no sense in reading a bad book to the end (though I feel that tug every time).
Life is too short.
Quit when it’s wrong, stick when it’s right.
Help!
Don’t do it by yourself. Find people who know more than you do. Reach out. Get help.
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Now it’s your turn. What’s your most effective motivation tip? Let me know in the comments below and we’ll get this conversation rolling.
The best studying motivational tip I ever heard was from a guy who achieved a first in Aeronautical Engineering. He said that after the first lesson of his first module, he took away the information and wrote a complete essay, then submitted it to his tutor the following week and asked what mark he could expect from the work and how he could improve it. He then went away and rewrote it taking the feedback into consideration and submitted it the following week, until he had raised the mark to an A. When the other students were racing to get their essays finished by the sumission deadline, he was relaxing, having finished the work early and having had the benefit of his tutor’s advice, which many of the other procrastinating students were too embarrassed to ask for as it was so late in the process. He continued in this way until his final dissertation and sailed through achieving an almost effortless first. He said that working in this way gave him a sense of completion every week which gave him confidence in himself. Wonderful idea.
Karen,
This rocks.
Thanks for such a great story–and and equally great tip.
Jason
a best endeavour on the part of a willing student. but practically at some places, you do not find willing and good mentors for guiding you step by step. any how, a good food for thought, specially for starters.
I am quoting ELeanor Roosevelt for this tip. I found her quote in the middle of the night while doing some research for a paper I had to write for a class in my second master’s degree. She said, “Never, never,never, never give up!”. I wrote it down, hung it from my desk lamp, and read it every day and every night when I thought I could do no more and believe me, I think that it why I was able to get through it when all the world around me was chaotic.
Dawn,
Excellent quote to share.
At first it seems like noise; the same old motivational mush we get every day. But, when you really let the idea sink in, it’s life changing.
Imagine what the world would be like if every ethical goal was backed by a man or woman who literally refused to ever give up.
It would be a wonderful world.
Jason
actually it was Churchill who said “Never, never, never give up”
the wonderful Eleanor Roosevelt did say (writing in her newspaper column, I believe), “When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.”
i always like thinking big and i have learnt to not share my dreams with people until i have done somethinh about them.recently, im learning how to dsign a web and davids is a webim designing for my business which is still on the making.
i love all you said about motivation and i have learnt a lot from them.thank you so much and hopefully will get more from you
Chidi,
Thinking big is a great one, isn’t it?
It brings the right ideas and visions to the surface and inspires all at the same time.
We could all learn a lesson from your example: you’re not merely talking about an idea–you’re doing something about it.
Keep it up,
Jason
Walking my and playing with my toy poodle is fun and I get exercise. I also get more ideas and also gives me more energy. When I am in college classes I also sharpen my mind. When striving for those A’s I can get more scholorships. I also will finish my book. When I volunteer for what ever cause that is good I get satisfaction. When hanging out with smart people with good ethical standards gives more resources for my ideas.
Positave attitude will get me farther. Disagreeing with others is ok as long as I do not judge them.
Claudia,
Wow, that was like a grenade of goodness. So many ideas packed into one little unassuming paragraph.
Thanks for sharing!
Jason
Get around the right people is so true. I stuck many times with people that drag me down. I have great business idea and talk about it with people around me who are not very entrepreneurial and they try to convince me that I’m crazy. Well I’m avoiding them because of known fact :” don’t argue with stupid people, they will beat you with their experience!”
These tips are worthy of bookmarking.
Jo,
I love it: Don’t argue with stupid people, they will beat you with their experience.
So true.
Jason
PS. You’re not crazy to want to start a business. Or, you’re just crazy enough to make it happen. Either way, you win.
oh ya, do not argue with stupid people. nevertheless, you can also learn from the stupedities of these people. your own life is too short. not possible to experience all the mishaps. its better to learn from happinings with good and bad people.
When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe then, you’ll be successful …!!
I-cedd,
Now that’s what I call drive.
Jason
Repeat Philippians 4:13 which says… I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
Luke 1:37.. @moi
“If you think you can, or you think you can’t, You’re right!!
Loved reading the 21 Tips. Inspired me to do something different. One thing that helps me is to have a few quick “one liners” in my hip pocket to use when I’m in a rut or indecisive. One of my favorites is: “don’t let perfection stand in the way of progress”. At times we can stop momentum because what we’re doing isn’t just right. I got news for you… that’s life. Keep on with the project, always moving toward your goal and accept the steps as progress, even if they’re not always pretty. Keep up the good work!
Eric,
Great advice and a great tip that everyone should copy. Carrying a card with quick reminders of powerful ideas is brilliant.
A small step that can go a long, long way.
Jason
Setting a deadline for the completion of a project or implementation of an idea is like giving it a LIFELINE. An idea comes to life only when it is aware that it is dead if it doesn’t meet the deadline. We are constantly snatching lifelines from deadlines every moment of our life.
Bhagwat,
I never thought of it this way, but now I’m glad I do.
Thanks for sharing a fresh take on an old idea.
Jason
I read this as soon as I got to work. The tips cover a wide array of subjects on motiviation. I am sending them out to the team this morning. Hopefully, any one of them will help someone today take the next step toward their goal. Thanks a lot!!
Veronica,
You just became my favorite reader and friend.
Jason
“People who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.” (adapted from 1997 Apple computer advertising slogan)
Thanks, Fred!
Jason
You are right Jason. And @MOI – The very realisation that our strength is derived from God (Christ / Buddha / Ram / Allah )will always push us in the right direction and hidden powers will help us. Faith in oneself is equivalent to having faith in God.
Jason:
Awesome advice, when you say to break your goals down, and then break them down again. I never thought of that, that’s a new way of looking at things, and when you break them down again, then you look at things, a new way, again!
So in addition to becoming motivated to move towards your goal, because of the small steps, this system can also help with goal analysis. I am going to try this. Somehow this reminds me of calculus.
Great job!
Zeke,
Calculus is the one class that saved me in college. A five-credit A goes a long way.
I’m glad you liked the advice and even happier that you chose to share your thoughts.
Above all, our community is what I care about. People like you that are willing to join in the conversation help make it the success it is.
Thank you,
Jason
absolutely right pramod.
@jeason: this article is worth storable and applyable in daily routine.
“People who are keazzy,can make others keazzy
but who are not,will never allow others to be so.
don’t stay there,just RUN AWAY…..
hi Jason,
thats great staff. just what i needed.
i’ve just chaged ma routine 2day.
Benny,
Fantastic!
If you return, I’m sure we’d all love to hear how you uprooted your old routines and added a new spark in the mix.
Jason
Great tips to help change the way you see things through your day.
Thanks, Thomas. Really appreciate your taking the time to join in.
Jason
The greatest tip I have ever had is:
“do not be dead before you die”
Robert,
That says it all.
Jason
“Do not let it happen, it won’t, make it happen” ,”dreams without action are nightmares, dreams with deliberate action is vision” and “You can steer a car on the move” are some of my favourite.
Ken,
Great quotes/tips.
Thanks for sharing!
Jason
Hello,
This was a greaat article. Glad I finally got around to reading your blog. I have recenlty lost 54 pounds and completed a bachelors degree online all as a mother of seven adopted special needs children. My motivation technique is simple. I realize my strengths, my weaknesses, and I constantly update my goals. I look to family for help. Most of all I Never Give Up!!!! We have one life to live so make it your best and never stop having fun or you will be dead before your in the ground. Peace
Janelle,
After reading your post, I’m the one who’s glad you finally got around to reading my blog.
You lost 54 pounds and completed a bachelor’s degree–with seven adopted children? That’s inspiring.
I hope you’ll return often and share more of your story. I know, without a doubt, your experience and knowledge could help many hundreds of people that read our words.
I can’t thank you enough for sharing.
Jason
Hello Jason,
Thanks for the response, I didn’t expect one. Yes, I will come back and share. I just started writing a book about our story. Of course I am not an author or anything but so many people have asked me about our story so I decided it’s time to put it all into words. Doing what I do is not easy and just like everyone else I loose drive. I take a break, relax, and then start a new game plan. I do not see these breaks as failures I see them as growth. I love you blog and im too very glad I finally have the time to enjoy it.
Peace
To Janelle,
I’ve been with Jason, on the sidelines, for some time now. Just wanted to congratulate you on your incredible success!
Thanks Karen!
WOW! I just want to echo Karen and congratulate you on your achievements!! …can’t wait to read your book!
I’m curious; what did you choose as your academic major? (I’m guessing you’re a whiz at child psychology.)
best wishes
Dear Jason,
All are very simple & practicle tips. At times positive & negative
mind may change at the spur of the moment due to unforeseen circumstances.Therefore,silent mind is also equally helpful to
motivate you, because silence means you are in touch with your innerself, which infact is the true source of infinite energy.
Practise is the key.
Himangshu,
You’ve brought up a very important point.
Sometimes movement is the worst thing we need. Silence is not only golden but paramount to a well-balanced, forward-moving life.
Thank you for reminding me of a simple truth that needs repeating often.
Jason
HI,
The most effective one for me is “Get arounf right people”
But it seems these people are very busy and don’t have time and any space around themself!!!
Is there any tip for how getting around them?
Thanks,
Adeleh
Hi Jason… I love this post and your site – so many great ideas and tips. I just click anywhere and suddenly I feel better and more motivated. Say, how can I put a link to your site into my blog? I put the address above and I wanted to share your stuff with people who might read my blog. Any little bit helps, right? So, any ideas? Thanks for all, Jamie
Dear Jason,
Isn’t it a great feeling to see how many readers are sharing the same perspective, and that the truth is just ONE. The universe has very simple rules to make things happen, and it’s all about following them. How about an article on ”Basic rules of the common sense”
Good to know you,
Stay well,
Lucette
Wow, the blog is really wonderful..so many positive minds, working towards their cherished goals. Every individual we encounter daily in our lives have something to teach us,we need to just open up our antennae… I quit a very secured government job, went into buisiness, made a great fortune and lost everything and now sitting on heavy debts. But I already set a deadline to make it very very big this time. The loss taught me invaluable lessons which cannot be learnt in universities and class rooms. I was amazed at the sense of balance within me, to digest all the humiliation, the criticism…well this I call is progress in me.
“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
Michael Jordan
Thx Jason for your ideas, they are really great.I realise something new everytime…
Btw, if you didn’t know, there are a lot of interesting “motivation” ideas in Carlos Castaneda’s books- they are “Don juan teachings” “Trip to extlan” “tales of strength” “another reality”.. though you know changes don’t come as quick as you want. Sometimes it takes years- depends on what ” mind platform” you want in your head =D
Here are my most commonly used phrases:
1. I won’t die anyways
2. The world isn’t as it seems
3. What will happen?
Hey Jason!
Being simple by nature, I like to break dreaded or troublesome chores down into bite size, doable segments.
Amazing how quickly momentum (and motivation) builds as each segment is completed.
Nothing succeeds like success. Brilliant, eh?
All the best,
Jon
It’s exhausting to find knowledgeable folks on this matter, however you sound like you recognize what you’re talking about! Thanks