10 Simple Ways to Find Out Exactly What Motivates You
Different people can be motivated by different things. Ways of getting motivated can also be different for different individuals. Try some of the ideas here and if it works stick with it. If you find any of these ideas don’t motivate you, change to another method until you find something that does work for you.
You could do some exercise and see how much more motivated you feel the next day, after a week or after a month. You can eat reasonable size meals regularly and make healthier food choices. We really are made up of what we eat. You might put on some positive music you like and afterwards feel “The only way is up!”. There are so many ideas that can help motivate here. So, let’s get stuck in!
What Motivates Me? 10 Questions to Ask Yourself
- Are you motivated by achieving a goal? Chunk larger tasks down into smaller ones with more goals. Don’t forget to pat yourself on the back for each achievement.
- Are you motivated more by having a good plan? Start planning your pathway to the goal now and keep it close to hand. Ask yourself what do I need to achieve this goal? Focus on the process. A > B > C > Goal.
- Are you further motivated when you have a deadline? Create deadlines for yourself. Step A to be done by 4 pm Monday, Step B to be completed by 11 am Wednesday. Step C to be finished 3pm Friday. Goal! Pat yourself on the back!
- Are you more motivated when your workplace is well organised? Straighten stuff regularly. You might try organising things for 2 minutes as you sit down at your desk or tidying for 2 minutes before you leave or doing both!
- Are you motivated by rewards? With every small task that you complete, pat yourself on the back and give yourself a reward. Why not? You deserve it!
- Are you more motivated by a challenge? Get involved in a competition with colleagues or other teams.
- Are you better motivated when a task is new to you? Find new and interesting things to do or ways of doing things.
- Are you more motivated when you are in control? Take a leadership role when opportunity presents itself.
- Are you motivated by someone telling you, you are doing well? Surround yourself with positive people who motivate you with positive feedback. Make an effort to tell your boss, colleagues, family and friends about the things you have done well. Just don’t do it too often. Look for and hold on to those who give you more positive feedback.
- Are you better motivated by calm or overexcitement? Become more emotionally intelligent. Be more aware of how you are feeling. Take regular breaks to check in with your emotions. Stop for a moment. Breathe calmly, slowly, deeply 3 times and then move forward again with your increased emotional intelligence.
Bonus Question: Are you better motivated after you have time away? Make more time for yourself. Do fun things with colleagues, friends and family. Take your holidays and enjoy them. You deserve it after all your hard work.
Yes, I know the last one means there are actually 11 ideas here but, people like lists of 10 better than 11 for some reason. Go figure.
References:
Hoobyar T et al (2013) NLP: The Essential Guide to Neuro-Linguistic Programming (p. 101). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.
Indeed Team (2024) How to Motivate Your Employees [online] available from https://uk.indeed.com/hire/c/info/how-to-motivate-your-employees last access 18/03/2025
No Author (2024) Motivation: How to get started and staying motivated [online] available from https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/motivation-how-to-get-started-and-staying-motivated last access 10/02/2025
Shannon (no date) Five ways to boost your motivation [online] available from https://talkingtherapies.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/therapy-in-focus-blogs/five-ways-to-boost-your-motivation/ last access 14/03/2025