Matter of Motivation: 7 Tips That Do Help

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Student Lifehacks
tips for motivation

There are two types of motivation: internal and external. I presume we all know what external motivation is: I will earn a lot of money; everyone will like me more, and I will finally eat this piece of cake that has been waiting in the fridge for a whole hour when I was studying. But internal, on the other hand, makes the process the goal itself.

For example, you’re performing an operation on a patient, but you’re not doing it because you’ll be paid a lot of money, but rather because you want to improve the patient’s life and better your technique. Long story short —study not for a grade but for yourself.

One of the researches has shown that people with weak external and strong internal motivation achieved better success than the ones having high external motivation levels. Apparently, genuine interest and ambitions guide the person better than a will to get rich and famous. Of course, no one says that external validation does not work completely—but the fact remains: internal just works better. In the 21st century, the carrot-and-stick motivation to do work well and get rewarded is not enough in many cases, as you have to take higher risks and create something in more cases than not. Having a higher purpose other than money or grades yields more productive results.

It’s quite a logical yet pretty boring question at many job interviews that do not require just simple rewarded tasks but rather critical thinking. “Why did you choose this job?” If you have motivation other than money, you will be more likely to do your job better.

Anyway, to produce better results in your work not only at the moment but also long-term, use these tips to help you.

Think of How This Activity Will Help You

Studying, for example, will expand your horizons. Improve your mental abilities. Make you more erudite. It will teach you how to perform different tasks, and not only this—you may use all these newly found superpowers to make the world a better place by conducting some new research or improving people’s life.

Track Your Improvements 

Yeah, I bet you’ve heard this before, but it really works. Put small goals and achieve them, and take a note every time you do this. There are few things in this world that feel as good as personal development.

Keep Your Goal in Mind and Work Hard

Do not just focus on money or grades. When you achieve this goal, you may be overcome with a sense of emptiness: now what? Choose something more generalized: improve the environment or create something beautiful, and that’s why I need to do what I’m currently doing.

Cooperate and Help

Studying together usually yields better results for all the parties involved: you may both help and be helped when learning some concepts, and explaining someone a theory will allow you to memorize it. In some cases, competing in a class can also make you more motivated.

Link to Good Feelings

Even if you hate studying this particular subject or reading this textbook, this little trick can help: turn on your favorite music or eat something that you really like when solving the tasks. This will let you keep up with homework at college much easier. It will make the experience a bit better. Just don’t get carried away and drool every time you hear “macroeconomics.”

Choose Instead of Must

When getting ready to study, say to yourself, “I am choosing to do this task. I have the freedom to do it, and I will” instead of “Ugh, the teacher will kill me if I don’t do it.” You’re free to choose to become educated. All you have to deal with its consequences, but the thing is, you can choose these consequences.

Think outside the Box

Do not limit yourself. Try something new—maybe some new techniques or new approaches. Keep thinking of how you can make things better, and tell yourself that you are capable of it.

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Matter of Motivation: 7 Tips That Do Help 1
Iliana K