The 1st Step to Overcome Apathy?

[m18pak]

How do you learn to want things? How do you cultivate enthusiasm about your goals?

If you've never experienced the pleasure of achievement, how do you create that first initial spark of the desire to achieve?

[Ak47]

Everyone wants something, apathetic or not. Some people just don't realize what it is that they want.

On a more broad scale, i think it's safe to say that all people, whether they admit it or not, want to be happy. However, the route to happiness can be different for every person.

I think a lot of people get discouraged in their search for happiness because they fail, or things; results are not what they expected them to be. Nobody gets it right all the time, and indeed happiness can be a very hard thing to achieve. Just as with anything else, if you give up half way, you will never succeed. Happiness is very rewarding when you do obtain it.

Also, tied in to becoming discouraged, people a lot of the time come to think that "it's society's fault, or the world's fault, etc;" trying to pin the reason that they're unhappy on someone else. While i'd agree that there are things out of your control that can greatly influence your ability to be happy, or not... i think people have enough control over their lives to be happy at some level anyway.

The hard part is finding what makes you happy. I'd think though that, criticism, judgement; apathy... is not a good means to happiness. If you really want to be happy (everyone does) you need to get past those ideals and keep exploring. You will find what you're looking for eventually. Also, a helpful hint (at least something that worked for me)... use your pessimistic attitude to solve problems and make life better for yourself or others. Pessimism is powerful, you can notice details that many others may not. So, put it to some good use!

[Calicatt]

I'd say that getting a glimpse of what the main object is can be inspiring

examples:

reading can inspire writing
running around the block can inspire a longer training (for a marathon, for instance)
going out and having a good time can inspire greater social skills

likewise, seeing someone else's success can be exciting

seeing a great theater act can make you want to perform as an actor
watching a great speaker can make you want to improve your speaking skills
witnessing a great feat of athletics can inspire you to compete

hope that helps!

[rrandolph]

I view excitement and joy for life as our natural state of being. I know when I was most apathetic was a time in my life when I had some emotional and mental blocks. I found great success using tat and eft to overcome them:

EFT - How to Overcome Any Fear in Minutes with this Emotional Freedom Technique
TAT - Use the Tapas Acupressure Technique to Let Go of an Emotional Trauma

Now as I keep clearing out the old issues, I get excited pretty much about anything, eating lunch, watching tv, sitting in my backyard...it's sounds ridiculous but it feels great.

[Freelancer]

If you've never experienced the pleasure of achievement

What is this all about??

Some things you obviously achieved:
- Learned to walk, YES walk. Its not easy, just watch a baby trying to learn it.
- Learned to speak/read/math and all that good stuff.
- Learned to use a computer.
- Learned to question reality.
and hundreds of other things.

So cut the **** about not having achieved anything, hell being alive is a achievement.

[Christian223]

I identify with you, right now im sure i have some blocks i still dont consciously know that dont allow me to be exited about my goals.

I tried EFT before with other issues and i recommend it to you, try Tapping.com - Free EFT Videos - Emotional Freedom Technique , i guess ill (we) have to do a few rounds with phrases like:

"Even though this is too hard for me"
"Even though i dont get the results i want to get"
"Even though this is taking too long"
"Even though i dont know if all this effort will be worth it"
"Even though i fear the concecuenses of achieving this"

And i supect that the core issue of not beign exited or enjoying the path of our goals is hidden in the answer to the last phrase, so try answering to yourself "What are the consecuences to achieving this goal?".

I wish you the best overcoming this problem.
Jesus bless us all.