4 Ways to Trick Yourself into Doing Things You Don't Want to Do

Without motivation, you're just a ship without a sail, a car without gas, or a bike without pedals. It's the driving force behind everything we do. Whether you're a writer, a designer, a programmer, or anything in between, motivation is what propels you forward and keeps you moving towards your goals.

So, why is motivation especially crucial for freelancers? As freelancers, we're our own bosses. We don't have a manager to keep us on track, and we don't have a team to hold us accountable. It's all up to us. That can be both freeing and overwhelming, but with motivation, we can stay focused and keep pushing ourselves to be our best.

Motivation also helps us overcome obstacles. As freelancers, we're bound to face setbacks and challenges, whether it's a difficult client or a tight deadline. With motivation, we can power through and come out stronger on the other side.

But how do we stay motivated?  It's different for everyone, but here are four methods that have had proven success:

The first step to staying motivated is setting realistic goals. When you set unrealistic goals, you're setting yourself up for failure, and that can quickly demotivate you. You need to be honest with yourself about what you can achieve and what you can't. This doesn't mean you should aim low, but rather that you should set goals that are challenging yet attainable. When you achieve those goals, you'll feel a sense of accomplishment that will motivate you to keep going.

2. Create a Plan

Once you have set your goals, you need to create a plan to achieve them. Break down your goals into smaller, manageable tasks, and set deadlines for each one. When you have a plan, you know exactly what you need to do, and you can track your progress. This will help you stay motivated because you'll see how far you've come and how much closer you are to achieving your goals.

3. Find Inspiration

It's important to find inspiration to stay motivated. Inspiration can come from different sources, such as books, podcasts, videos, or even people. Look for stories of people who have achieved similar goals to yours, and learn from them. Surround yourself with positive and supportive people who can encourage you and keep you accountable. You can also find inspiration by visualizing your success and imagining how you will feel when you achieve your goals.

4. Celebrate Your Successes

Finally, celebrate your successes, no matter how small they are. Celebrating your successes will reinforce your motivation and help you stay focused on your goals. You can reward yourself with something you enjoy, such as a nice meal, a movie, or a relaxing day off. Celebrating your successes will also help you acknowledge the hard work and effort you've put in, and it will boost your confidence and self-esteem.

Having a positive attitude is crucial to achieving your goals. Especially on Monday morning, it's easy to fall into a negative mindset and focus on the challenges ahead. However, this approach can be counterproductive as it only leads to stress and anxiety. Instead, try to approach the day with optimism and see it as an opportunity to make progress and grow.

Having a growth mindset is essential for success. This means embracing challenges and seeing them as opportunities for learning and development. As a freelancer, you're constantly facing new challenges, whether it's a difficult client or a project that pushes you out of your comfort zone. By adopting a growth mindset, you'll be able to approach these challenges with a can-do attitude and learn from them along the way.

Having a clear sense of purpose is vital to staying motivated. It's important to set goals that align with your values and passions. When you have a clear sense of purpose, you'll be more committed to achieving your goals and less likely to give up when things get tough.

And finally, taking care of your well-being is crucial to maintaining a positive motivation mindset. This means getting enough sleep, exercise, and eating healthy. When you take care of your physical and mental health, you'll have the energy and focus you need to tackle your tasks and achieve your goals.

Motivation is essential for freelancers. It's what keeps us moving forward, helps us overcome obstacles, and allows us to produce our best work. By setting goals, taking breaks, celebrating our wins, and surrounding ourselves with positive people, we can stay motivated and reach our full potential. So, go out there and get motivated! You got this!