I’ve had plenty of bad days, as does everyone.
I’ve struggled with motivation for the past few years. I knew what I needed to do to improve my life, but, for some reason, I couldn’t bring myself to do anything. For example, I lacked the motivation to get up and go for a 20-minute run or walk; or to start outlining a paper, a week before it was due, to save myself the stress and working up to the deadline; or to get up early.
I thought I was just being lazy, and I started to get really frustrated and down on myself.
I looked for answers by watching TED Talks, talking to my dad and a therapist and reading books.
If you have struggled with a lack of motivation, I put together a list of speakers for you to check out. They helped me get back on track.
- Mel Robbins
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Mel Robbins, aka the woman who created the five-second rule. No, not for food, but for your mind. When you have time, please watch this video.
Robbins has a history of struggling with anxiety and a lack of motivation, until she realized every potential decision or action has a five-second window until your brain talks you out of it.
I use this five-second rule for everything. It sounds almost stupid because it’s so simple. You count down five seconds and do whatever it is you need to do. It doesn’t give your brain time to talk you out of any decision.
Five, four, three, two, one: get up and start getting ready for the day.
Five, four, three, two, one: raise your hand in class.
Five, four, three, two, one: get up and go to the bathroom.
Give this rule a try. I promise it will help.
- Jordan Peterson
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Jordan Peterson is a psychologist and a professor of psychology at the University of Toronto.
Some of you may recognize this name from the political side of the internet, but I am not talking about any of that today. All I ask is that you keep an open mind. He is a great educator who speaks on topics regarding depression, anxiety, and the human spirit.
Just watch the video. His own words are the only thing that can do this video justice.
- Tony Robbins
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How you talk to yourself really does matter. If you constantly talk down on yourself and focus on negative things, you are going to experience negativity.
Tony Robbins is probably the most well-known person on this list, but for good reason. He is great. There are so many other great videos of his talks, but this one really speaks to me.
These are only three of the many great speakers out there. I encourage everyone to find others to whom they relate.
Just remember, if you are struggling, everything is temporary, and you do not have to keep struggling. Adjusting your mindset is the first step in an escape route.