It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it. - Lou Holtz
Being motivated makes any load easier to bear. That is true whether the "load" referred to is your responsibilities at work; taking care of your home and family, or just simply rolling out of bed in the morning to face whatever the new day has in store for you. The great news is that you can find that much-needed motivation in a multiplicity of places - wallpaper, quotes, positive thinking, phone apps, your social circle and much more. You just need to know where to look!
Understanding the types of motivation and knowing how each affects you is a good place to start. Once we have looked at those, we will share some awesome ways in which you can get the motivation you need to take you through each day.
What is Motivation?
Put simply, motivation is any reason you have for doing something. The "reason" can be a need or desire you have, or a goal you are seeking to fulfill. Our reasons may not always be clear, even to us, but they are always there. The "something" is usually an action we take but it can also be the decision to do nothing in a particular circumstance.
Words which often get linked to motivation include:
Incentive - A tangible or intangible reward
Enthusiasm - An eagerness to accomplish a set goal
Inspiration - Sometimes used interchangeably with motivation, especially in cases where we are speaking of doing something creative
The things which motivate you can be placed into one of two categories, namely, intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation.
Intrinsic Motivation
Intrinsic motivation comes from within. It is what drives you to do something simply for the joy of it. Examples include taking pride in learning a new skill and the sense of satisfaction which comes from completing a lengthy or intricate task.
Intrinsic motivation is said to drive our creativity, the urge to explore new possibilities and the ability to "think outside the box." It is credited with keeping us more focused on completion of a task than external rewards are able to do. It is also said to work best for us when we are tackling long-term goals.
Extrinsic Motivation
When our actions are driven by any kind of external reward, then we are experiencing extrinsic motivation. It can take many forms, including monetary payment, praise, an award, acceptance by someone or a group, good grades and fame. Extrinsic motivation can also be in the form of a punishment we are trying to avoid. For example, the punishment of having to pay a fine or go to jail motivates us to not break the law.
Extrinsic motivation is very important when it comes to getting us to do things we might not enjoy or get any sense of inner fulfillment from. One example is working at a job you don't particularly like because the salary (your source of motivation) helps you to pay your bills (your desired end result).
The Relationship Between Extrinsic and Intrinsic Motivation
Can Intrinsic Motivation Come from Others?
Strictly speaking, the answer to that question is "No." It has been shown, however, that we feel good about ourselves when we help others and when we receive genuine praise and encouragement from others. This inward happiness, in turn, motivates us to continue doing well.
You can increase the amount of good feedback you get from others in several ways. These include surrounding yourself with a supportive social circle and choosing to volunteer your time and energy to helping others in need.
In the same way, as your intrinsic motivation can be driven by others, you can decide to be a source of motivation to others. A few words of encouragement or simply "saying it with a smile," might be all someone else needs to make their day. You can also share your sources of inspiration with others - sharing the link to this article, for example, or posting a motivational quote on your social media page for others to see.
Motivation Images and Quotes for Making Your Wallpaper
Everyday reminders to stay optimistic, more relaxed and in the flow of things can be a wonderful way to direct your thoughts. And we all know by now how much the quality of your thinking and how you manage your thoughts can affect your mood, perhaps even your whole life.
Putting positive reminders on your desktop as wallpaper is a great way to keep thoughts most important to you top-of-mind. This will help to increase the level of intrinsic motivation you feel and your eagerness to go out and get things done.
Below is a downloadable selection of beautiful, inspiring motivation wallpapers, also images with which you can create your wallpaper. You can choose to print these for eye-catching motivation posters, suitable for office, home, or your motivation board. They are good for every space where you need more light to shine for a brighter outlook on life.
Simply looking at motivational pictures can make you feel less stressed and more focused on your goals. Consider creating your own by downloading some of these images and quotes to make motivation pics, posters, wallpaper and more!
Motivation Images for Download
Motivation Quotes
If you need motivation icons and more, search sites like Flaticon or Shutterstock for free or paid-for download options. Also, check out BrainyQuote for more inspirational sayings from a wide variety of famous persons, past and present.
In this day and age, few of us are ever very far from our smartphones or tablets. You can put yours to use helping to keep you motivated by downloading one (or more) of the many motivation apps which are available for both iOS and Android devices. A quick search will reveal apps designed to help you start your day; or for those among us who are easily distracted, there are also apps meant to help you focus so you can accomplish tasks on time.
When Motivating Yourself Fails
If feelings of demotivation and depression are persistent and often occur, decide to find help. You can do so in the privacy and comfort of your own home with BetterHelp, where we will match you to a therapist most suitable to your needs. The path to success is usually not an easy or problem-free one, and you will need others on your way.