What Is the Real Truth About Motivation?

TL;DR

Motivation is not lacking; it is often misdirected towards unproductive activities. It stems from complex calculations in the brain involving factors like confidence and perceived likelihood of success. By addressing negative emotions and adjusting tasks to focus on achievable goals, individuals can redirect their motivation towards more productive pursuits.

Transcript

all righty let's get started so okay oh my goodness alright let's get started let me see if there's some I need to record so welcome guys to the first official healthy gamer webinar so we're gonna be so this webinar is gonna be a little bit about what I call the science of the self so what I mean by that is that we don't usually learn how we work r... Read More

Key Insights

• 🖤 Motivation is not lacking but often misdirected towards unproductive activities.
• 🤩 Confidence and likelihood of success are key factors in increasing motivation.
• 😫 Changing the task and setting achievable goals can redirect motivation towards more productive activities.
• 🏛️ Building confidence comes from surviving failure and changing perception of failure.

Questions & Answers

Q: How can I increase my motivation to take on tasks that I find unappealing?

By changing your task to smaller, more manageable steps that you find less overwhelming, you can increase your likelihood of success and therefore your motivation. Breaking down the task and setting achievable goals can help increase motivation.

Q: I often feel demotivated and lack confidence. How can I build my confidence?

Building confidence comes from surviving failure and changing your perception of failure. Understand that failure is not a reflection of your worth or capabilities, but a necessary part of growth. Embrace failure as an opportunity to learn and improve, and acknowledge your successes along the way.

Q: How can I deal with negative emotions and change my perception of failure?

Acknowledging negative emotions and understanding that they do not define you is the first step. Seek support from a therapist or mentor who can help you navigate and process these emotions. Practice self-compassion and challenge negative thoughts with positive affirmations. Surround yourself with a supportive network of friends and family.

Q: Why do I struggle to apply for a job, despite knowing it is a necessary step?

Your brain may view the task of finding a job as having a low likelihood of success, leading to a lack of motivation. By adjusting the task to smaller steps, such as downloading a job application, you can increase your likelihood of success and therefore your motivation. This gradual approach can make the task more manageable and increase your confidence in completing it.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Motivation is not a binary concept, but a complex calculation influenced by various factors such as hedonics and likelihood of success.

• Confidence plays a crucial role in motivation, as it determines the likelihood of success. Confidence is built through surviving failure and changing perception.

• The brain overvalues certain activities like gaming due to high hedonics, but by changing the task and increasing the likelihood of success, motivation can be redirected towards more productive activities.

• Dealing with negative emotions, such as overcoming past criticism, and changing perception of failure are important in building confidence and increasing motivation.