motivation and time
It's probably safe to say that pretty much everyone has problems with motivation and time - if not, I certainly do! This problem has meant there are many things I want to do (and should do) end up not getting done. A simple example...the last time I blogged was November 16th 2007! A few months ago while uni was still on I would've blamed it on lack of time, however I now blame it on lack of motivation.
It probably sounds weird that I have no motivation to blog as it is something that I want to do. However, over the holidays I've discovered something that is annoying me. For many things (especially those you want to do) when you are tight on time your motivation levels are quite high - it's just that there isn't time to do it. While given the same objective if you have plenty of time motivation levels seem to drop so low that it just gets put on the back burner again. Of course there are exceptions, but to me it feels like a good majority of things that I want to and need to do are neglected because of this.
To me, the most logical reason for this is when you are short on time, chances are it's because there is something you don't really want to do, but have to do is taking up your time - so anything that is slightly more attractive will be high on your "must do" list. On the other hand when you have heaps of time it is probably just easier being lazy. While the other things you've always wanted to do seemed super-interesting and you'll do it just when you get some spare time, doing nothing is even better, so nothing ends up getting done.
Having said all this, I think the main problem of the two is motivation. The problem for me is finding a way to get motivated. Given enough motivation and determination, it should be possible to get pretty much anything done. Last year, I was having a conversation with someone and complained that I had no time - he replied with "We all have the same amount of time, it's just how we use it."
Apologies for the rather mashed up, nonsensical and late blog post, but I'd like to see what other's think about this problem.
February 4th, 2008 - 04:07
i think you need to think about what would the long-term pyko like to do. Most of the time, it is much easier to do the things to make the short-term one happier, like sleep all day long. Saying that, i m still stuck in the same problem, so jia you! =p
February 7th, 2008 - 21:34
There is one way to solve it – only ever do what you like to do! E.g., i’d always like to watch anime, so I do. Too bad it isnt always practical this way =(
If it feels unmotivating to do something, it means u must be unconsciously rejecting it. I guess, the solution is to either do it via force of will – thats hard – or give up and try something else. I myself want to have a stronger will, so I’d rather not give up.
March 26th, 2008 - 16:56
hey guys,
Though i’ve still yet to test it fully, but i think that the main problem is how i’ve been setting the task/goal.
After writing this post the problem with motivation/time has sort of been constantly floating in the back of head, and now that uni has started again and my todo list is forever growing, i *think* i might have figured out my problem
Thinking back, i would say during the holidays, given the amount of free time, the goals/task i set myself were quite ambiguous/ambitious/huge… come to think of it they were really just what i imagined the end result would be. Compared to now, with a gazillion things to do, all my tasks are much smaller, more manageable.
So my theory is, regardless of when it is (uni when your todo list looks like it is growing exponentially, or holidays when you can afford to sleep in everyday) if you set yourself smaller, more manageable/specific tasks they will much more likely get done!
I’m no psychologist, but i guess smaller tasks are more motivating because it is actually possible to see that the task can be accomplished – rather than one big gigantic task with no real starting point.
So, next holidays i’ll be testing out this theory and then write up a post on it