Positive Psychology And Motivation: 5 Steps To Achieve Anything You've Envisioned
March 11, 2015 |
| Image Credits: Bruce McKay via Flickr |
1. STOP DREAMING
One of the biggest foes of any goal is excessive positive fantasizing (experiencing mental images about a desired future positively). It has been shown to be associated with failures to get a job, find a partner and pass an exam. It may even cost you harsh decisions such as losing a car over a perceptive positive win at a poker game.
2. START DOING
Aside from excessive positive fantasizing, lack of commitment may hinder us from reaching our goals. To encourage commitment, use a technique called mental contrasting.
It involves a positive fantasy with a pail of cold reality on top. For example, you fantasize of losing weight and you know that maintaining your current sedentary lifestyle won't get you there. So, you improve your health by more exercise and less unhealthy food consumption.
3. PICTURE THE PROCESS NOT THE OUTCOME
We are all susceptible to thinking that our plans will go smoothly when it hardly ever does. By visualizing the process of reaching our goals, it helps us to increase focus and to reduce anxiety.
4. BURY PROCRASTINATION
There may be a time when you feel unmotivated (it’s normal) and that is when procrastination creeps in. To control this situation, keep your mind busy with details and self-employed deadlines. Isolate your focus on the ultimate goal and the task you are currently completing.
5. KNOW WHEN TO STOP
Sometimes, the problem is not in starting the goal…but in knowing when to quit on it. Psychologists Hal Arkes and Catherine Blumer call this tendency as "sunk-cost effect". Sunk-cost effect refers to continuing the endeavor because of the grave investment in time, money and effort. Simply, people still push through the odds even if their plans are failing.
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| Image Credits: Tax Credits via Flickr |
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