Motivating yourself is hard. In fact, I’ve been through the same problem myself several times. When I don’t feel like doing any homework that’s going to be due tomorrow or doing anything at all. But effective self-motivation is one of the main things that distinguishes high-achieving intellectuals from everyone else. So how can you keep pushing onward, even when you don’t feel like it?

According to ample research. Studies have shown, for instance, when individuals make daily exercise commitments, they’re more likely to increase their fitness levels. The first general rule, then would be any objectives you set for yourself or agree to should be specific. Goals trigger intrinsic motivation rather than extrinsic motivation. A goal serves as a purpose when it creates a separate, ulterior purpose that you can achieve and succeed better than extrinsic ones.

Some tasks can take a long duration of time, in which case it can be helpful to create external motivators for yourself over the short to medium term. You can promise yourself an extravagant meal for your hard labor after school. However, do not mistake the quantity of completed tasks or for speed when you actually care about the quality of your performance. For example, if a dieter’s prize for losing weight is to eat junk food and high in sugary sweets, is likely to undo some of their hard work and reestablish bad habits.

When people are working toward a goal, they typically have a burst of motivation early and then slump in the middle, where they are most likely to stall out. A solution to this would be breaking your goal into smaller sub goals, say a student is working on a project that is going to be due in 2 weeks. It is better to work in smaller portions at a time and when the time comes, he or she has finished the project altogether. If that doesn’t work, then, a mental trick that involves focusing on what you’ve already done up to the endpoint of a task. For example, a frequent-buyer would purchase at the beginning, and emphasize on their next 5 meals becoming a free one.

In psychology, flow is defined as a mental state in which someone is fully immersed, with these tips, you can enjoy life with energized, focused, and enjoyment. Being able to tap in intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivators, setting a reward, and working towards a goal. Will provide you the self-motivation you’ve been looking for.