Are you tired of going through the motions? Does low motivation disassociate you from the things that matter to you? Busy people like yourself have obligations from which you can’t pull away. And yet, rising to the occasion continues to pull you down even further. What’s going on?
You are lacking willpower.
In my weekly video, I share insights to help you think differently about willpower. Some of your issues can be remedied with an awareness that aspects of your routine need to be changed. With this, I urge you to consider Willpower as singular concepts — Will and Power
Do you have the will, but you lack the power? Do you think, “If I can only maximize my efforts right now, I will get back on track.” Or, “I will make myself complete this task so I can feel good about my accomplishment.” If yes, consider the suggestions below to help you access a power boost.
1. Refresh. Change the time and place to refresh the structure of your routine. Ex: If you’ve become tired of conducting company meetings at 8:00 a.m., try a different time. You may also consider doing another type of meetup for a while until you can regain stamina.
2. Isolate. Identify specific tasks that underwhelm you. Ex: Determine if you have what it takes to continue to do these tasks. If not, make a game plan to change it up.
3. Delegate. Assess the totality of your responsibilities. Ex: When more responsibilities have been added to your role, try to enlist temporary support to help you meet all the needs.
4. Evolve. Accepting change is necessary for growth. Ex: Doing things the same way becomes stale. Something must change to raise your morale.
5. Communicate. Remaining silent on tough issues is no longer an option when your physical and mental health is at stake. Ex: Talk with your management, team, or family about your needs to shake things up.
Do you have the power, but you lack will? Power without will is unsustainable long term. You will eventually burn out or be revealed. For example, are you in the habit of doing something only because you enjoy the perks, not because you want to do the task? It shows. Did you accept a prestigious role for the high status, but you are unwilling to do what is necessary to maintain the responsibility? Your constituents will see through you. Are you faking your interest in being a high achiever because the money is good, but in actuality, you’d prefer to be doing passionate projects that make less money? You will look miserable.
It’s apparent to everyone when you are Willing and Unwilling. It shows up in your physical presence, behavior, and communication. The modifications you are willing to make show your continued interest in being successfully engaged.
