Why does this happen time and time again?

[purplephilosopher]

I get intensely motivated, highly driven, highly focused, and then I use all that energy to get LOTS done, but it lasts too short (2 weeks tops). After the first week or so, I feel pretty good. I feel like I'm getting somewhere, that I'm headed toward my goal, and it's true cause I've got the results to prove it. But for some unknown reason, all this energy dissipates...in particular after I think about the past. Does anyone know the root cause? Can anyone explain to me WHY CONSISTENT motivation lasts so I can better understand HOW to maintain it? Cause I obviously do not have the mentality for consistent motivation; my motivation is in spurts.

[Saeros]

Umm I'm not sure, but for me, I try to find new motivation occasionaly. Find new things to drive me.

[WanderingOak]

Ofttimes, when I am in a 'highly driven, highly focused' state, I have a tendancy to have a bit of tunnel-vision. I am so focused on the task at hand, that I tend to ignore everything else, including my own physical needs. I forget to eat, drink, sleep, etc., running full steam ahead on nothing but adrenaline, then all the sudden, I realize that I'm 'out of gas', so to speak. Because of this tendancy, I try to avoid being exessively 'driven'. I've also noticed that when I am extremely 'focused' the tunnel vision causes me to concentrate on only one aspect of the problem. When I force myself to stop working and take a few steps back, an easier, more elegant solution often presents itself.

'Motivation' is only one key to the problem. It could be that you just need to pace yourself. It's a bit like the 'tortoise and the hare'. The hare is highly motivated but doesn't have much staying power. Meanwhile, the 'slow solid' tortoise keeps ploding along, getting there eventually, while the hare is buisy resting...

[cdn2wheeler]

Purple (great handle, by the way), what you're describing is extraordinarily common. While I can't speak to what the root cause of the issue is, know that you're not alone.

It's often been said that the difference between success and failure lies less in motivation than it lies in determination. The old saw of, "1% inspiration, 99% perspiration" comes to mind.

Point is that successful folks will tend to slog through the difficult times even when their motivation has dried up and blown away. They continue to work away regardless of whether they're motivated to do so or not.

Another issue at play here is the reliance upon feelings, such as the feeling of being motivated. Feelings have an important role to play, but they're only one aspect of the whole dynamic. Feelings change, all the time, for reasons that may have nothing whatsoever to do with the task at hand. Hunger, exhaustion, physical discomfort and whatnot all have a profound impact on one's feelings. The key, I think, is not to ignore them, but to keep them in proper context; that is, to understand that the feelings you may be experiencing (ie: lack of motivation) aren't necessarily related to the task that you've set out for yourself. They're simply reflecting another aspect of your current situation (haven't eaten in a while, didn't sleep well, stubbed your toe on a table leg, etc.).

[Boreas]

I find that writing down goals and the steps to take to achieve those goals helps. That way, I know where to pick up even if I am not inspired. It is difficult at times, but that just means it is time to excersize the self discipline muscle.

[z1freeride]

I love this article written by Mike Brescia:

The 3 Levels of Motivation

Desperation: the most common and lowest form of motivation

Everybody has been motivated by desperation in one way or another. This motivator kicks in when you absolutely have to do something. In long-term scenarios this motivator kicks in when your doctor says, for example, “If you don’t stop (or start) doing XYZ, then you aren’t going to be here in another six months.”

That’s desperation… And it is a strong motivator.

The trouble is, it takes desperation to get most people to do what they should do just to get by. It takes a tragedy or impending tragedy to get the average person to get going on their most important priorities.

For example, in the financial area, it might take a bankruptcy or the loss of a job to get you to think about your finances. Or if you’re a student, you cram for a test at the last possible minute to avoid failing the course and just settle for a passing grade.


Inspiration: not as common, yet a higher level of motivation

When a person has inspiration, they are moved to take action to get an outcome they do want in the short term versus being moved to avoid an outcome they don’t want (desperation).

This kind of motivation happens when you set a goal and you’ve identified what you’ll get if you achieve the goal. This can be very powerful. A typical example of this is when somebody sets a goal to lose weight in January. But their motivation fades and by the time february comes around, they cancel their gym membership.

This is why self-help books and motivational speakers do not work for most people. No matter how motivational or inspirational a speech or book is, it cannot cause permanent change in someone. Inspirational motivation does not last. It fades. The higher motivator is “purpose.”


Purpose: the rarest and highest motivator of all

Purpose, or mission, is the highest level of motivation. However, it is not as common as inspirational motivation. Very few individuals have achieved this level of motivation. They are the ones that have achieved great things in life. If you learn how to achieve this level of motivation, you will be able to accomplish any goal you desire. Here’s why it’s the highest motivator:

While both inspiration and desperation can force you to pop a breath mint before a meeting, it is purpose that makes you take care of your teeth by brushing and flossing everyday. Purpose ensures that you are always prepared for anything that comes your way.

Fear of failing a test can force you to study all night long. That is desperation.

Spending extra time working on a project that you truly enjoy and/or if there is a short-term and very desired benefit is inspiration.

But when your words and actions are all directed by a deep sense of purpose, keeping your eye always on multiple benefits and on multiple positive outcomes, being driven by long-term results, long-term implications and by legacy is what separates the average and good from the truly great.

When your thoughts and your core mental patterns are influenced by purpose and mission, you have true POWER over yourself… so you never need willpower and you will be hundreds of times less likely to be victimized by others.

This power transcends IQ, color, who your parents are, where you grew up… It is the highest power you could have.

[z1freeride speaking] However, knowledge is utterly useless if it isn't applied correctly. That's why inspiration speakers, self-help books, etc usually NEVER work. Thought rehabilitation is the only way you will change yourself. As a man thinketh, so is he.

[AtriumGuy]

hi Purple--

I have lived with the exact same problem for many years. One the "honeymoon phase" for a project is over, people like you and I lose interest and begin searching for the next greatest thing.

The answers for me, as it probably is for you, lay internal. Meaning (and I hate to say this) that it is necessary to ponder the age old question of "what makes you truly happy".

If you are talking from a career standpoint (which is the area where I had this problem), then you have to take a long hard look at your internal guide and figure out what would make you content and fulfilled over the long haul. I bet you are one of those people who has great ideas, inspires people, and a great salesperson...but just haven't found the true calling. But its there Purple; its there for all of us. Just be patient and honest with yourself and the answers will start to unfold! Anyway, hope this helps!

[Angela]

z1freeride, that's wonderful that you posted that article! It's interesting, too, that desperation, inspiration, and purpose are so often thought of as things outside yourself, things that "happen" to you, when really each of us has the power to generate all three of them at any time, sometimes in the same day!

z1freeride, what is your purpose? Does it happen to be something that relates to the OP?

[MatthewRoberts]

My motivation seems to fluctuate in monthly patterns.

For one week I am so pumped up and motivation that I get so much done and move forward to my goals.

Then over the next two weeks my motivation slowly diminishes and I struggle to get things done.

Then in the fourth week I hit rock bottom and start procrastinating like crazy.

Then it goes back to the first week again where I snap myself out of it... catch up on all the things I missed and start moving forward again.

[z1freeride]

Originally Posted by Angela

z1freeride, that's wonderful that you posted that article! It's interesting, too, that desperation, inspiration, and purpose are so often thought of as things outside yourself, things that "happen" to you, when really each of us has the power to generate all three of them at any time, sometimes in the same day!

z1freeride, what is your purpose? Does it happen to be something that relates to the OP?

Yes, true motivation (purpose) comes from successful thinking patterns and not from some external source (motivational speaker/story, new year's resolutions). Those types of motivation (inspirational motivation) ALWAYS fade after a certain amount of time.

My purpose? To obtain and increase in: Happiness, Confidence, Self-esteem.

What is the OP??

[Angela]

OP = Original Post or Original Poster.

May I suggest incorporating into your purpose: recognition or generation of the things you want? I say that because "obtaining" suggests that the qualities are outside of yourself and that "getting" it will be achieved Someday. Why wait? Right now is where it's at!

just an idea.

[z1freeride]

Originally Posted by Angela

OP = Original Post or Original Poster.

May I suggest incorporating into your purpose: recognition or generation of the things you want? I say that because "obtaining" suggests that the qualities are outside of yourself and that "getting" it will be achieved Someday. Why wait? Right now is where it's at!

just an idea.

Yes, you are absolutely right. I do believe I have all of those things right now. I desire to increase in those areas though.

I relate to the OP because I would always be frustrated with myself for not maintaining the motivation needed to accomplish pretty much any goal that I set. I would always be "inspired" to set goals and to accomplish whatever. But, after a few days, weeks or months, my motivation would dissipate.

I realized that I needed to rehabilitate my thoughts and thought patterns in order to change myself and to maintain constant motivation (for whatever goal).

For example, I have tried many times before to consistenly work out at the gym in order to get in shape. It never lasted until this past year.

I've made it a "mini-purpose" of my life. I have daily affirmations I read, audio cds I listen to, visual representations of what I want to become, etc, etc. Because of this, working out has become a lot more natural and the end goal is something I think about a lot.

[DrMartinRussell]

Originally Posted by purplephilosopher

After the first week or so, I feel pretty good. I feel like I'm getting somewhere, that I'm headed toward my goal, and it's true cause I've got the results to prove it.

Hmm. Are you goals worthwhile achieving, or are they meaningless when you get there.

As an example if you have a goal of weight loss, but are then just going to bounce up in weight again because you didn't learn long-term skills, you are actually medically safer to stay stable than yo-yo diet.

Another example. If you work hard for money then spend it all, you aren't better off than when you began so it's hard to keep long-term motivation in that case.

Are your goals of this type?

[Lauxa]

Life just sort of goes in cycles. When you are super-motivated, that's great and you can use that to get lots done. When you are less motivated, that's when it's important to have developed good habits and the self-discipline to stick with them. Otherwise you end up wasting all your time in forums.