Christopher Byassee
Staff Reporter
Motivation in school is a really tough thing to keep up with, especially in this day of age, but even before that, it was harder for some with family issues going around or even their own mental health issues bringing them down. However, here are some ways you can motivate yourself to do better in school or just in general. First, let's talk about what motivation is, “motivation is the drive to achieve your goal or needs it are influenced by how much you want your goal, what you will gain, and your personal expectations. Why is motivation important, it is important because “ it provides you with goals to work towards, helps you solve problems, helps you change old habits, and can help you cope with challenges or opportunities.”
Getting motivated is hard, most people struggle with motivation, but it is even more challenging if you have a mental disorder such as depression or anxiety. Here are some tips, “Set yourself one specific, achievable goal. Think about how to include that goal in your life, what you need to do to make it happen, and then put a timeframe on it (such as a week). Break your goal into small, easy tasks and set regular reminders. Use your family and friends as support – tell them about your goals and encourage them to help keep you motivated.” Some ways to keep track “Make your goal part of your routine by using a diary or app for reminders. Positive self-talk is important and effective in managing depression or anxiety. Instead of saying 'I can't', say 'I can try'.Mindfulness helps keep you relaxed and focused. Start a class or join a support group. Support groups can be as effective as professional help. Reward yourself when you have completed a step or goal.”
There are many ways to stay motivated but here are some easy, “Regularly review your goals and progress. Seeing progress is a great motivator in itself, and also improves your self-esteem. Continue to set new goals. Think about what you want to achieve next week, next month, and next year. Tackle one goal at a time so you don’t feel overwhelmed. Keep the momentum up. It takes up to 3 months to develop a new habit, so keeping the momentum and routine helps it feel more automatic over time. Find mentors – a mentor is someone who is experienced in the habit you want to change. Finding social or support groups with the same interest can help you find a mentor. Surround yourself with positive people. Positive friends and family enhance your positive self-talk, which also helps to manage the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Use exercise as one of your daily goals to improve your mental health.”
If you do end up losing your motivation then here is something you can do. However, setbacks are completely normal but developing some kind of resilience can help you carry on with the goal you had in mind. “ Review your goals and see if they are realistic in the timeframe you have set. You may need to break your goal down further into smaller and more achievable goals. Remember why you wanted to get motivated or reach that goal in the first place. Take motivation from others – feel inspired by reading a book, talking to your mentor or friends or family who has reached similar goals to the ones you have set. Sometimes you just need to take a break and start afresh.” If after reading any of this information and it continues to not help you get motivated then talk to someone you can trust, or a counselor that could provide more helpful strategies to achieve your goals.
Image Credit: Wix.com
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