6 Simple Tips for Adult Motivation

There is not a lot of material written about the subject of adult motivation. A review of research indexes indicates there is, unfortunately, little interest in learning about adult motivation. Yet, it is an important driving force in our day-to-day lives.

Consequence of Overlooking Adult Motivation

It is very easy to overlook adult motivation until we become discouraged which can lead to depression. It’s the old downward spiral of the apathy whirlpool that literally sucks our creative energies “down the drain.” As the old saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Add Adult Motivation to Your Self Improvement Arsenal

Therefore, it is extremely important that we add the hidden strengths of adult motivation to our self improvement arsenal. We can, then, activate this tool when it becomes necessary for us to call upon our adult motivation arsenal when those “blue” moods come to visit us.

Each Decision IS a Goal

Whenever we decide to do anything, the result of that decision is a goal, howbeit, ever small. Motivation can be defined as the power force that keeps us on the path to achievement. True, we can give up achieving the goal; but, then, that decision transforms into a questionable action and the power of adult motivation "goes down the drain" along with the goal.

Here are some simple things you can do to enhance your awareness and strengthen your adult motivation. By incorporating these into your daily life, you will have the tools cope with those “blue” moods before they become more serious obstacles.

6 Simple Tips to Acquire and Maintain Adult Motivation

 Cultivate your sense of humor. Take time to enjoy comedy. Watching “raw” videos that people publish of the funny things their pets do. Find ways to laugh at yourself when you make a mistake. Listen for and to laughter. It is a wonderful antidote in laying the foundation to keeping your adult motivation levels in good repair.

 Observe life around you. Watch how other people resolve their life challenges. You can emulate them; or you learn what not to do if their methods do not “ring your bell.”

 Take pride in your successes and always congratulate yourself.

 Strive to do better and achieve your next desired goal with less stress.

 Be an example to other people. Walk with your head held high and with a firm gait. You can be rest assured someone is watching you, even if you are walking in the park for exercise. I know because I live next to a park that has a walking trail.

 An essential part of adult motivation is having a good moral code. By living by a good moral code, you will experience far fewer “guilt trips” and, hence, a reason to feel “blue”.

Transform these simple tips into habits and you will have a good foundation for adult motivation which will serve you very well in the days, weeks, months or years ahead.

Why do we need self-improvement anyway?

Have you ever pondered self improvement and how it might change your life? This has been an active undercurrent in my life for a good number of years. With all the new thought that is being published and broadcast in the media, it is becoming even more important for me to remain diligent in addressing this issue in my own life.

By writing this web log, I have invited you to join me in this journey. In my research, I have stumbled upon several aspects of self improvement and an equal number of ways to achieve personal goals.

The main purpose of this blog is to share some of these concepts with you. Of course, the key, for you, is to find the one that enables you to break your specific weakness into small steps so that you can take one step at a time in achieving your self-improvement goal.

The one central obstacle to achieving one’s self-improvement goal seems to be
“fear”. The underlying cause of this fear can usually be traced back to lack of self-esteem, lack of self-confidence, and doubt. Just, where did these negative self-concepts originate?

If one has an open mind, one does not have to look too far. Now, comes the “sticky” question? Do you have what it takes to start reprogramming your subconscious behavior?

If you are affluent, you see a therapist/coach who effectively relieves you of some of your financial wealth in exchange for teaching you some self-hypnosis exercises and/or gives you some medication to ease your anxiety. For some, there is always the local neighborhood bar at which we drown our troubles with our friends and neighbors who are in the same life situation.

Another more viable idea is to turn to the volumes of self-improvement books and CD’s. "Been there and done that." However, after carefully spending $1,000+, I did find some very good advice that has helped me get on the road to “emotional recovery”.

If you are angry, judgmental, jealous, unhappy, et al, you have some problems that need to be addressed. Yes, a change in attitude is in order and you must take responsibility now or continue to experience the same unhappiness until you finally make a choice to take remedial action.

Now, we come almost back to the place where we began this discussion. Self improvement generally refers to improving one’s peace of mind by eliminating stress and anxiety. The stress and anxiety can be found within the intellectual, emotional, psychological or spiritual levels of one’s life or in any combination thereof.

To undertake self-improvement, one must reflect and rely on his own knowledge that has been gained through experience, self-dependence, and self-identity. It goes without saying; you must have a strong desire to embark on this journey. It is a lot easier when you have the support of family members and friends.

I invite you to join/stay with me on this journey of learning and self-exploration. It is, indeed, a rewarding journey.

Take care and have a Wondrous Christmas Holiday filled with the Blessings of Peace and Love.

Obstacles to Self Improvement-Part 6 of 6 - Pride

Good Morning and Welcome Back

Pride is a great obstacle to Self Improvement mainly because it is considered as one of the seven deadly sins. According to Wikipedia, "In Ancient Greece, instances of pride were termed hubris because of the added connotation that pride was a crime against the gods and would result in fatal retribution. The word was also used to describe those who considered themselves more important than the gods themselves."

I see pride as an important concept that is really being misused by our culture. I see it is being used as a psychological weapon to influence the masses into buying whatever ideas/things that are being "hawked " by the media; thereby, promoting "pride" as a status symbol of materialistic ownership.

This emotion grows/evolves into some of the other feelings that are part of pride such as: arrogance, judgmental, superior, unfeeling and vain. These are feelings of separateness. There are many historical incidents to support what eventually happens when pride consumes your psyche.

What is "Pride"? It is a verb frequently used in a reflexive sense of "congratulating oneself" [Online Etymology Dictionary @2010 Douglas Harper].

Using this context, taking pride in ones work and/or pride in ones accomplishments can be a good starting point in achieving self improvement. Not only have you done something that benefited you, you have given a unique and special gift, an example, to those around you. My first mentor always reminded me, "By example do we teach."

I also find inner peace through being grateful, not only for the opportunity and experience of learning/doing, but that I was able physically and mentally to meet and achieve my goals.

Take care!! Hope to see you next week with more insights in Self Improvement techniques that you can use.

Obstacles to Self Improvement-Part 4 of 6

Good Morning and Welcome Back

Lust is usually present when your daily life is full of hiccups with one stumbling block after another. When this is the case, be on the lookout for its subtle influences.

Lust is another big obstacle to the self improvement goals you wish to achieve. It is not limited to obsession with someone of the opposite sex. Lust is an emotional appetite for any thing you feel that "you can't live without".

Just the other day, I had a very interesting experience with this emotion.

I'm not sure exactly where to begin this story. Anyway, I was presented with an opportunity to change my life. This chance opportunity awakened a long-held dream I had had for several years. Perhaps, the Law of Attraction was working for me after all. All the details of my dream fitted into place. My infatuation grew with the idea of a new life filled with new adventures.

So I set about to make this happen. I literally wore myself out rearranging my life and/or "scheming" for five days.

This is how easy it is to allow/permit "lust" to take control. When the long-held dream failed to materialize for me, it was then, I was "shocked" and awakened to the realization; "Hey, I was really causing myself a great deal of stress in my desire to have this experience to come into my life." Immediately, at this moment, my inner peace was restored.

We need to be vigilant. Lust is ever present in our daily lives, and manifests itself when we are are not completely satisfied with our life "right here and now". It is very easy to lose control of these "I wants/needs"; and, as a result, you can easily become compulsive and manipulative in trying to satisfy your perceived needs. If you choose to ignore this emotion, you can quickly fall into the trap of addiction and loss of self esteem.

The grass on the other side of the fence may appear to be much greener, but it comes with a price, sometimes a very high price.

See you next week when I share some thoughts on the emotional attributes of anger.

Until then, take care, my friend!!