🔥 Let's get the motivation going

APRIL FOCUS
Balancing Drive & Mind: Motivation

Motivation is the fuel that propels us toward our goals, dreams, and aspirations. It's the inner drive that pushes us to take action and push on when we face challenges or come across humps and barriers.

Since it’s so important, what drives your motivation? Try thinking of your goal(s).. let’s say, your 2024 goals 😉 or your 3 - 5 years dream, what drives motivation to achieve them?

1. Purpose and Passion: When we're passionate about something, [insert item that comes to your mind], our motivation naturally skyrockets. When our actions align with our values and aspirations, motivation flows effortlessly.

2. Goals and Progress: Setting clear, achievable goals provides us with a roadmap to success. Best to break it down to easy to achieve tasks and as we make progress, our motivation receives a constant boost. Celebrating small victories along the way reinforces our commitment and determination. *Ahem - that will be chocolates for me, thank you very much!

3. External and Internal Rewards: External rewards such as recognition, praise, or financial incentives can serve as potent motivators (*think - jobs). However, it is the intrinsic motivation that will be the most sustainable and powerful.

   I often think about my market research days where we incentivise our respondents to participate in research. We give them the moolah in return for their time and feedback/opinions.

DEEP DIVE
Dips and Reigniting

Urgh.. I have times (a lot of them this year) where my motivation just dips! If we can understand why the dips happen, it can help us navigate these challenges a bit better.

Getting Overwhelm/Burnout:
When we're overwhelmed by TOO MANY tasks or responsibilities, motivation can drop. Similarly, prolonged periods of stress and burnout can drain our energy and dampen our motivation.

Lack of Clarity:
Uncertainty about our goals or how to achieve them can leave us feeling directionless and unmotivated. Without a clear sense of purpose and vision, it's easy to lose motivation along the way.

Fear of Failure: The fear of failure can paralyze us and prevent us from taking action. When we're afraid of falling short or making mistakes, our motivation takes a hit as we hesitate to step out of our comfort zone.

💡Does any of these apply to you?

Reigniting Your Motivation

So, how do we reignite our motivation when it's running low? Here are some ways to help you get back on track:

1. Reconnect with your “Why”:
   Remind yourself of why you started in the first place. Reconnecting with your purpose and passion can reignite the flames of motivation and remind you of what truly matters.
   🔹Have your goals written down, and your ‘why’ to them. Keep them close and read them when you’re feeling low.
   

2. Break it down:
   When faced with a daunting task, break it down into smaller, more manageable steps. Focus on taking one small action at a time, and before you know it, you'll gain momentum and restore your motivation.
   🔹I’m a fan of breaking it down. Sometimes, things can just get so overwhelming and it’s in your head. Before you know it, you’re going down the rabbit hole.
   

3. Find Inspiration: Surround yourself with sources of inspiration, whether it's through books, podcasts, or conversations with like-minded individuals. Drawing inspiration from others can reignite your passion and enthusiasm for your goals.
   🔹There are some really good podcasts and YouTube videos that just fires you up. Have them saved in your library so you can access them anytime
   

4. Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself during times of low motivation. Understand that it's okay to have off days and setbacks. Treat yourself with the same compassion and understanding that you would offer to a friend facing similar challenges.
   🔹This is important and it’s something that a lot of us rarely do. Start doing this! #notetoself

It is useful to identify the causes when your motivation dips… because this can also impact your mood and approach to your task or in general.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Impactful Words I Hear/Read

I saw this Instagram reel which I thought was very powerful.

UPDATE
I’m Writing! (duh~)

Recently, I realised that I crave a creative outlet. This is weird because I never see myself as a creative person. I wanted to either draw or write these days. If you’re interested..

I have started writing in medium.com and here’s my link:
https://writtenby.shihhoon.com/

I’m still exploring different methods and the best way to deliver value.
If you have any feedback, or any topic you like me to look into, please drop me an email: [email protected]

🙏🙏

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