Transcending motivation?

[hawkal]

Is there a way to motivate that is not based on creating an emotional well of energy? e.g creating a burning desire.

What I would really want is a more consistent form of motivation because I find that motivation based on emotion creates boom and bust cycles.

[KaleidoskopicVision]

I've been after the same thing. Keep thinking there must be a better way.

[Thekla]

I think forming positive, productive habits is a great motivator. If you can accustom your mind to doing certain things at certain times, much of the resistance drops away most of the time, and I think that the sense of motivation becomes self-reinforcing and less dependent on emotions.

[The David]

Forming a positive and rewarding link between taking steps towards the goal. That way, you won't have to feel warm and fuzzy about the end result. You'll be running on a sort of autopilot, where it becomes second nature to work towards your goals.

Of course, you don't want to set goals you have NO enthusiasm for. But you can't count on feeling motivated all the time, either.

[Cado]

It only creates boom and bust cycles if you aren't able to control your energy. I've been following the advice in Threading the Needle and I've been using The Foci Exercise to help me work through my blocks as I had the same problem.

The long and short of it: successful goals combine desire, a firm end result, and the elimination of short-term payoff. You have to put them all together if you wanna run on automatic. If you lack any one of them a bust cycle is inevitable.

[Karanime]

Why do you need a consistent force? If it's not already consistent, then maybe it doesn't have to be.

If you're doing what's truly right for you, it shouldn't take any effort at all to keep doing it.

/<3

[billionairekid]

Motivation doesn't last longer than a few days at most. Motivation by nature is short lived. However, if you are extremely passionate about something, you will take consistent action to reach your desired result. Passion will drive you for eternity if you have enough of it.

I've learned that having an inability to take persistent action is usually a sign that I'm not passionate enough about what I'm doing and either I don't really want what I've told myself I wanted or I need to find a deeper reason to continue to do what I'm doing.

[hawkal]

Thank you all for the great ideas.

The thing is that it is not necessarily goals or aspirations that I need motivation for. I don't feel motivated to get up in the mornings or cook myself any proper food. Maybe motivation is not my problem.

[Cado]

Originally Posted by hawkal

Thank you all for the great ideas.

The thing is that it is not necessarily goals or aspirations that I need motivation for. I don't feel motivated to get up in the mornings or cook myself any proper food. Maybe motivation is not my problem.

Hearing this I would definitely encourage you to do the Foci Exercise I linked to above as it sounds like what you need above all else is a good diagnostic. That being the case, if you follow my advice toss in collaging as well for a powerful one-two combo. It'll get you to the root of the issue in no time.

Feel free to hit me up if you wanna talk more in depth on anything I've suggested.

[RagsToRiches]

Originally Posted by hawkal

Is there a way to motivate that is not based on creating an emotional well of energy? e.g creating a burning desire.

What I would really want is a more consistent form of motivation because I find that motivation based on emotion creates boom and bust cycles.

Boom and bust cycles are part of humanity ... even if you reduce it by letting go of all attachment (Zen) then you still experience very minor small ups and downs.

But yes, there is a way. Make the action you're motivation yourself to do a habit.

IE: Do you need motivation to put a clean pair of underwear on in the morning, or do you just do it?

Can't say I like your "anti-burning desire" vibe though :P

[Thekla]

Not wanting to get up in the morning or prepare meals sounds like something you should discuss with a therapist, psychologist or physician, in case there is a physical or mental health issue involved.

[fred carter]

Originally Posted by billionairekid

Motivation doesn't last longer than a few days at most. Motivation by nature is short lived. However, if you are extremely passionate about something, you will take consistent action to reach your desired result. Passion will drive you for eternity if you have enough of it.

I've learned that having an inability to take persistent action is usually a sign that I'm not passionate enough about what I'm doing and either I don't really want what I've told myself I wanted or I need to find a deeper reason to continue to do what I'm doing.

I don't think motivaton need be short lived. What if you just anchored 'feeling good'. You don't need to have a reason, just enjoy being you! Remember time when you felt good and go back there and feel it again. Doen't all motivation come from wihin?

Fred

[fred carter]

Originally Posted by hawkal

Is there a way to motivate that is not based on creating an emotional well of energy? e.g creating a burning desire.

What I would really want is a more consistent form of motivation because I find that motivation based on emotion creates boom and bust cycles.

If we have an experince that draws us towards it ... that we are enthisatic about that is a natural motivaton. When we read a good book and can't wait to get back to it, that is a natural motivaton that is compeling, moving us towards opening the book again.

This technique can be applied to almost anything.

Fred

[Cado]

Originally Posted by Illustro Cado

It only creates boom and bust cycles if you aren't able to control your energy.

To clarify my point in light of what others have said, ups and downs are natural, booms and busts aren't. Of course you'll have downtime-you need it-but a bust is an unnatural low which usually results from pushing yourself way too hard.