Motivation Is Keeping Me Waiting for Tomorrow

Push away from procrastinating and find your motivating triggers.

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Being in lockdown should be the time when you get caught up on the things you pushed off doing, things like washing the windows, cleaning out the attic or basement, painting rooms, or weeding the gardens.

Somewhere in the back of your mind, you know the things that need to get done, but well, there’s always tomorrow.

Motivation, that one word can hold you back from accomplishing any goal you set. Whether it’s getting a glass of water, booking a vacation, or doing the laundry that’s piled up to the ceiling, nothing gets done if you don’t feel like dealing with it. So how do you keep yourself feeling like you want to accomplish something? It might help if you understand that pesky word motivation better.

The definition of the word motivation is, according to Oxford’s Dictionary, the reasons for your actions or behaviors. Well now, that sounds simple enough to grasp. You are thirsty; you get something to drink. You need shoes; you go to the shoe store. The windows are open and cold air is coming in. You shut the windows. So what’s holding you back from accomplishing goals? Perhaps it depends on what your goals are.

Biological needs such as hunger, thirst, or rest are genetically imprinted desires that need little to no motivation to fill. A little persistence, some effort, and you can satisfy your hunger, thirst, or get the much-needed rest your body craves. Unfortunately, not all goals are easily accomplished, such as losing weight and keeping it off.

Sometimes we are motivated by our instincts. Fear is great at getting you to move, but so is winning. Rewards come to those who push towards achieving a goal if they have the intensity to keep pursuing it after setbacks occur.

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Motivation is more straightforward when we know we are the only ones who can do what we desire to see done. If you are thirsty and no one is around who will give you a drink, then you must get it ourselves. Likewise, if you are ravenous or craving a particular taste and alone, then you must procure your food.

Occasionally, motivation happens when reasons to procrastinate no longer exists. You know you are moving in a matter of months and realize you should eliminate things you no longer need or use, but beautiful weather, an invitation to a weekend getaway, a chance to binge-watch a show with a friend have helped you postpone that task. When you have run out of reasons to take on the chore, or a deadline is looming, then motivation finds you.

Is it possible to get motivated, or must you wait for it to come to you?

If you understand the types of motivations that exist and a little about the theories behind the act of motivation, then yes, it’s possible to nudge yourself to meet your goal.

Psychologists always want to know why we do things. Since motivation is defined and accepted as an action, they have come up with a few theories on the subject.

1. Instinct Theory: Instincts are fixed patterns of behavior that are inborn in each of us. These include fear, seeking shelter, love, companionship, even sex are some of the biological instincts every human feels. When these feelings awake, then the need to satisfy them motivates the human to do so.
2. Arousal Levels: This is not sexual arousal, but the level one must achieve to feel energized or good. Everyone has either high or low arousal levels. A person with a low arousal level may be perfectly happy reading a book, taking a walk, or enjoying a conversation. Someone who has a high level is probably an adrenaline junkie. The need for speed pumps them up, but also things like mountain climbing, bike racing, or extreme sports.
3. Drives or Needs: These are the basic biological needs: hunger, thirst, rest. They have to be taken care of, so you feel compelled to eat, drink, sleep. Motivation makes you do so.

Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic

Motivation comes in two flavors. Intrinsic motivators are ones you alone feel. You know that sense of accomplishment you get when you conquer a seemingly impossible problem. Things like finishing a word or a logic puzzle, completing a number game like Sudoku, reaching your desired weight gives you an inner high. The personal gratification you know you will get from achieving your goal is your intrinsic motivation.

The other motivating force is extrinsic. These are the trophies and plaques you put on shelves or walls. It’s the money, praise, back pats, and recognition you receive from others for doing a great job, finishing a project on time or under budget, even the between friends bets on ballgames or golf shots. It’s the satisfaction that comes from knowing others have seen you win, achieve, accomplish, and approved.

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When you figure out if your motivational needs are internal or external, biological, or genetically imprinted, requires a high energy level or not, then you’ll know how to find the push you need to get past procrastination.

But if you need a little help in finding motivation, here are a few suggestions.

1. Reward yourself for completing a physical chore (cleaning the garage, going through boxes in the attic, painting a room) with a relaxing soak in the tub, or an extra-long hot shower followed by watching your favorite movie or show.
2. Remember, baby steps are ok to take when the goal is too big to achieve in one day (losing ten pounds, cleaning out and organizing all the closets in the house, reading War and Peace). Give yourself a small reward when you start and a large one when you finish.
3. Post pictures of what you are working towards (toned body, sports car, inground pool) as reminders.
4. If posting pictures isn’t possible, then keep envisioning what the room will look like when painted, or cleaned, what the yard will look like when the landscaping is finished, or how your golf scorecard will look when you begin making birdies.
5. Envision The Little Engine That Could or Bob the Builder and repeat their mantra. (I think I can I think I can) (Can I build it? Yes, I can.)
6. When all else fails, become Nike and Just Do it.

Rewards, and goals, whether personal or group, large or small, are waiting for you. Push away from procrastinating and find your motivating triggers. There’s much to see and do in life. Unfortunately, life doesn’t wait for us to live it and who wants to spend forever with regrets.