Feeling a little lacklustre?

It might help to know that know that often, low levels of motivation can occur due to a lack of perceived reward for our efforts. Basically, if we don’t believe that we’re getting what or to where we want to be, eventually we’ll stop trying 
and so stop achieving.

However, waiting around for some ‘outside’ approval or reward does not 
guarantee us receiving whatever it is we think that we want.

In fact, the reward is often most 
effective when it comes from within us. To reward ourselves is to validate our own efforts and achievements and so strengthen our resolve to continue to achieve.

Also as we are not reliant on 
external factors, we are able to reward ourselves at any time and as often as we so choose.

 So how can we achieve this? 
 Try the following five step guide: 1. Start the day by prioritising the things/activities that you actively want to do. We all have 
commitments and tasks we don’t enjoy fully and the key is not to plan too much time in for them. 
A classic error of judgement here is to allocate too much time for menial, uninspiring tasks and to 
only permit limited time for the more intrinsically rewarding activities. This is a pointless, self-
punishing measure we erroneously employ when we have a irrational sense of guilt about 
experiencing enjoyment.

 However, as we have a naturally higher level of motivation to engage in/with the things we enjoy, 
allowing more time will ensure the satisfactory completion of the pleasant tasks and so place us in a 
more positive frame of mind and therefore more likely to succeed at the less enjoyable jobs. You 
may find that a natural balance between the two will ensue.
 2. Flexibility - as with physical development , a flexible mind necessitates stretching and 
experimentation. Being open to considering possibilities and changes is the first step in the practice 
of flexibility; whereas remaining flexible requires a sense of balance which we can achieve with 
awareness and vigilance. 
By keeping our options open, being prepared for more than the obvious, we are better placed to benefit from the unexpected opportunities that may come our way. We are also less likely to experience 
frustration when events go awry courtesy of the influence of external factors – those over which we 
have absolutely no control. This is especially the case, if we have a quick alternative for the use of our time 
lined up in the wings and waiting to go.
 3. The 3 R’s - Reflect, Re-evaluate and if necessary, Re-schedule.
 Flexibility can be enhanced by these processes. Take advantage of a natural break in your day to 
reflect on how things are progressing. If your time is appearing to become more limited or extended 
then a re-evaluation of your intended activities might prove fruitful. This is also a good point for 
a reward. Remind yourself how making it this far through the day, having achieved all the things to 
this current point, is something to celebrate. And be prepared to re-schedule any cancellations on 
the part of another, at your convenience.
 
4. Respect and trust your own decisions, plans or arrangements. They were made with your 
knowledge, insight and reason so why let someone else rearrange things to suit their needs at the 
expense of yours? 
A refusal need not be offensive, so if your boss asks you to stay late it’s fine to explain that you have 
a prior commitment on this occasion. You’re not saying you’ll never stay late or arrive early, and you 
may want to offer up an alternative solution to help out with the situation. If you are both sincere in 
your intentions (yours to assist and her/ him to do a good job) then the situation will resolve itself. 
You can never be responsible for the intentions or behaviour of another but you can always choose 
your own response in a given situation.
 5. Finally, reward yourself for the day’s achievement(s). It does not follow that for you to receive a 
reward, someone else will have to miss out on anything. So spend some time with yourself or someone of your choice; engaging in something refreshing, revitalising or relaxing; perhaps invest in 
something that you will benefit from in a personal way.

Remember that you investing in yourself will enhance life for those around you, and on becoming 
motivationally self-sufficient, you will be setting a living, breathing example of what can be 
achieved.