A secret to becoming more motivated (revealed in Part 1 of “How to Be Smarter, Faster, Better“) is to trick our minds into thinking we have a choice. But wait. That’s not all.
A Secret
The choice needs to connect to a greater goal, according to Charles Duhigg, in his newest book, Smarter, Faster, Better: The Secrets of Being Productive in Life and Business (2016). “Self-motivation,” Duhigg writes, “becomes easier when we see our choices as affirmations of our deeper values and goals.”
We need to force “ourselves to explain why we are doing something.” This then “helps us remember that this chore is a step along a longer path, and that by choosing to take that journey, we are getting closer to more meaningful objectives.” The idea is to ask ourselves “why” we want to get a task done.
Ask Why
Asking “why” helps us relate a smaller task to a larger goal. For instance, when you ask “why” you might be reading Duhigg’s book, here could be an answer:
To glean information and answers about motivation in order to become more motivated and get more work done.
Reading books and articles on motivation is actually one of the ways some of us procrastinate. It’s how we keep from getting other things done.
Ordinarily, you might not have a motivational problem when it comes to doing your favorite things. In fact, you may never have enough time to do those things.
“Motivation” as Duhigg writes, “is triggered by making choices that demonstrate (to ourselves) that we are in control—and that we are moving toward goals that are meaningful.” Think about what makes you feel in control, and is it a meaningful goal?
So to get more motivation in other areas, do what Duhigg suggests: figuring out how a certain chore connects to what it is I care about (beyond getting more information). Give yourself an explanation for what moves you closer to an important goal. According to Duhigg, explaining “why” it matters makes it easier to get started.
Maybe that’s the problem, though. Maybe you need to back up and reset some of goals. Then explain the “why” of what you’re doing.
Duhigg realized, with help from his editor, he needed to apply the principles he was learning. Like Duhigg, you, too, may need to apply what you learn about motivation. Start with gleaning Duhigg’s productivity secrets.
What Do You Think?
Can you explain (to yourself, at least) why you’re doing what you’re doing? Are you able to see your choices as connecting to meaningful goals? How meaningful do you think your goals are?
You might also enjoy Part 1 of How to Be Smarter, Faster, Better