Motivation is critical to success, so it’s easy to understand why this is such a hot topic in so many different fields.  Experts are always looking for new ways to do everything from improving student motivation to increasing motivation to exercise. Motivation is the key to success in any field.

There are psychological factors that can influence motivation. Did you know that visualizing success can be counterproductive? Or that incentives can sometimes make people less motivated? Are you surprised? Then keep reading because the information that we are going to explain to you from Bekia Psicología is going to interest you.

Beware of incentives or rewards

Incentives or small rewards are fine … Although of course, you have to use them carefully. If someone enjoys doing something and is rewarded for their behavior, it can make them like what they do even more, right? Well no. In fact, giving incentives to people who are already motivated can affect their motivation.

Rewarding people for doing things for which they are already intrinsically motivated can backfire. Intrinsic motivation arises from within the person. Essentially it is doing something for the pure enjoyment of it. Doing homework is its own reward.

In cases where children are rewarded for doing something they already enjoy, such as playing with a certain toy, their future motivation to participate in the activity actually diminishes. Psychologists refer to this phenomenon as the effect of overjustification. For this reason it is necessary to be careful with the rewards. Incentives can work well to increase motivation to engage in an otherwise unattractive activity, but over-reliance on such rewards could end up lowering motivation in some cases.

Look for challenges

When faced with a task, what is more motivating for you? Do something easy that you have done hundreds of times and could probably do in your sleep, or do something that is within the realm of possibility but requires learning something new or expanding your current capacity? For many people, the first option might be the easiest, but the second most challenging option probably sounds more interesting and motivating.

How can you make the most of this trend? Challenge yourself. Sign up for a local marathon. Focus on improving your times or going a little further than you normally do by walking in the afternoons. No matter what your goal is, adding progressive challenges can help you improve your skills , feel more motivated, and take you one step closer to success.

Don’t visualize success

One of the most common tips to motivate yourself is to simply visualize success, although this could actually backfire. The problem is that people often envision themselves achieving their goals, but skip the visualization of all the effort that goes into turning those goals into reality.

By imagining that you have achieved a goal, you are depleting the amount of energy you have available to devote to the task itself. So what works? Instead of imagining yourself suddenly successful, imagine all the steps you will have to take to achieve that success. Consider the following questions:

• • What challenges will you face? Knowing what you can find can make treatment easier when the time comes.

• What strategies can you use to overcome those challenges? Planning ahead can leave you better prepared to overcome the difficulties you may face. 

Be in control

People are often more motivated when they feel they have control over what is going to happen. Have you ever been part of a group where you felt like you really had no personal control over the outcome? Were you particularly motivated to contribute to the group? One of the reasons people sometimes dislike “group work” is that they lose that individual sense of control and contribution. What can you do to regain control in group situations?

• • If you work in a group, find the way in which each person feels that they are influential.

• • It gives people control over how they contribute to how their ideas are presented or used.

• It allows members of a group to determine what goals they want to achieve.

Focus on the road and not the goal

Do not focus too much on results, success or failure … because if you do, your motivation could end up seriously damaged. For example, if you praise children for their fixed characteristics (smart or handsome) it will decrease motivation and persistence in their future. This type of praise will cause people to develop a fixed mindset rather than a growth mindset (the latter is the one that really works for personal growth and success).

Fixed-minded people believe that personal characteristics are simply innate and unchanging. They think of people as smart or dumb, pretty or ugly, athletic or non-athletic, etc.

To avoid the development of a fixed mindset and promote a growth mindset, it will be necessary to consider the following:

• • Praise Efforts Over Fixed Traits

• • Do not focus on the result but on the path that these results achieve

• • Focus on learning the process and enjoying it

• Evaluate the actions that have been most effective and rewarding, evaluate the effort and thus adjust future actions to improve results

No matter what you want to achieve: quit smoking, run a marathon, lose weight, take an exam, study a race and get a title or any other goal, motivation is essential and plays a fundamental role in success or failure. usually. If you incorporate any of these strategies into your daily habits, you can improve your enthusiasm and be more successful in your daily life … whatever the goals you want to achieve! If at any time you feel that your motivation begins to decline, the time has come for you to value what are the strategies you are using to increase motivation and change them in case what you are doing does not serve you enough.