How To Get Motivated

Writing a blog post on motivation? Slightly ironic as I’m starting this the day before the day I planned to submit this.  A couple summers ago, the summer of my A-level exams I learnt a whole lot about motivation, success and what pushes us towards our biggest goals. Motivation can be a bit like the inconvenient visitor. The delivery arriving whilst you’re in the shower or like the grand idea for your assignment coming to you in an epiphany at midnight. Well, that’s exactly what it’s like. It can feel like motivation comes slow and thin at the most random times, and after a night of sleep – poof. It's gone. At least that’s what it feels like for me. I had big dreams that year (still do) but getting there was going to be a challenge which I realised when I combined the fact I didn’t like politics and I wanted to take my D to an A. Did I do that? Absolutely. An A in both A2 politics papers. I got there with headaches, tears and snacks. One thing I realised about motivation is that it disappears at 5pm on a dark January night, you’ve already had three lessons and now you have 3 hours of revision scheduled in, but it would be there in the middle of the night unexpectedly. Skipping out when things got hard. But Rome wasn’t built in a day. I’m going to use an example, maybe a slightly cliché one. J.K Rowling, famous author of Harry Potter was rejected a mighty 12 times before being published by Bloomsbury in 1997. More significantly, she got the idea whilst delayed on a train London in 1990 – it took her years of finding every spare moment working around a baby before anything was ready to be sent for publication.  

We can understand motivation not as ‘WHAT’ – an object like money for example, but in regard to the Who, Why and Where. This is how you can get motivation to stick around a little longer.  

1. WHO – This one is especially important to me. I was born in Poland however my mother moved us to England when I was just 5 years old to start a better life for us and an opportunity for a better education for me. In the early days it was hard. Really hard. I was always behind and I guess that had to do with the fact I couldn’t understand or speak English by the time I was thrown into primary school. On top of that I was doomed to be behind. Seriously. Every parents evening went along the lines of blah blah blah… will never catch up with English and Maths. Despite this my mother and my adoptive father refused to give up on me and you know what that meant. Lots of crying and lots of bribery including the words ‘Toys R Us.’ Skip forward to my final year and guess what not only did I CATCH UP but I OVERTOOK what was expected of children of my age. On top of this as a result of further pushy-is-an-understatement parenting, I overcame extreme shyness and started achieving in school and drama class. So, this is my point, and no its not get cool (pushy) parents, it’s if there’s someone in your life that you want to give back to or someone you would love to make proud. In the difficult times think about their reaction when you finally tell them you did it. So yes, I’m just the daughter who loves to make her parents proud. But if there’s someone in your life you would love to make proud just as much. (and maybe that’s just yourself and that’s totally fine, loving yourself enough to go after what you want works too.) Do it for them.  

2. WHY – this one is a little more tricky and I can’t exactly tell you what makes you tick but I can tell you what makes me tick. This one relates to the WHO above, but it also has to do with self-love. That’s right boys and girls feel free to get your face mask and essential oils out. But seriously think about how you can have the best and most fulfilled version of your life. What do you really want? For me, I want a to own my own house (adventurous I know but have you checked house prices lately) with a job I can wake up happy about knowing I am making a difference and dogs. Dogs X3. This one is all about you. Think about your why and take the next step to get there.  

3. WHERE -  Onto a more simple method. Halls or student housing isn’t always the most effective place to feel inspired with the spilt coco pops on the floor and dirty dishes. Again, this one is all about you and what environment makes you a productive you. Quiet or loud. Busy or private. For me this is tucked in the corner of a café, but this can really be anywhere as long as it works for you.  

Motivation doesn’t equal results. Its hard work, dedication and consistency. Stop thinking about where to start and just start. Understand how you work and why you work to get to the career and life you’ll love.  

By Alicja Shannon