How do you motivate yourself for long term changes

[Renegade]

Found this interesting article some time back and had it bookmarked. So here is the gist.

How many times have you set a career goal or New Year’s resolution, only to forget about it a month later? Turns out, the way we think about our goals—whether it’s something we “want to” do versus something we “have to” do—can make all the difference. Research shows that “want-to” motivation (driven by our own values and interests) makes us more likely to succeed than “have-to” motivation (which feels like external pressure).

For example, saying “I want to help the new team member” instead of “I should be nicer” flips the vibe from blame to freedom of choice. Simple word tweaks like this can make tasks feel less like a burden and more like an opportunity. The same goes for reframing challenges—replace oppressive words like “must” with empowering ones like “I get to.” It’s like turning chores into adventures!

Another hack? Create an “if-then” plan. For example, “If I feel like procrastinating, then I’ll start with just 10 minutes of work.” These small mindset shifts reduce obstacles and help you stick to your goals.

So, what’s your take? How do you stay motivated for long-term goals?

Read about it in more detail: https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryanr...ersus-have-to-motivation-is-a-career-booster/

 

[Simar]

I think the book Atomic Habits is quite relevant here. One thing I've learnt from it is to start very small, instead of doing something elaborate from Day 1. So if someone wants to meditate, I recommend that they start doing so for a mere 2-3 minutes daily. It might feel awfully low, and you would wonder if there's any point at all, but it helps establish a habit. Once it's a habit, you can always increase the time you meditate. The same goes for working out and being healthy. Going crazy on Day 1 with an intense plan and a ruthless diet will only spell doom for most people since it'll never become a habit.

For a lot of things, motivation becomes irrelevant. They just feel hard on most days and are the last things you would want to do. Be it studying to upskill, working on a side project, or going to the gym. On those days, you need to show up and be consistent. You don't have to follow your usual routine and work for an hour. But show up and try to work for 5-10 minutes. Then if you feel like it, you can continue, and if you don't, that's fine too and you still end up chipping away at your goal, even if you don't realise it.

All of this is easier said than done. You need to be kind to yourself and realise that there will be certain days or a phase where you haven't "accomplished" something. Instead of accepting that as a failure and giving up, you just need to start again. Self-compassion goes a long way when it comes to reaching your goals. So don't worry if you haven't worked out in years, or feel stuck in a job since you may not have the skills to get a better one. Smile -> Start small -> Be consistent -> Fall off the wagon -> Start again