Motivation
Being motivated means having an intrinsic drive to achieve your goals. Before even beginning to progress, you must be entirely convinced that you want to do something for yourself. This is a problem for a lot of people. In academics, many object that there’s no point in trying—college is college; it doesn’t matter where you get in. The motivation isn’t there. However, a more common reason for lack of motivation is that the drive for academic success is primarily external, be it parents, teachers, or social norms. Perhaps this article, which discusses whether you would want to go to a top college, will help you decide what you really want to do academically, and why: (click here).But for other goals, you should feel an internal desire to commit yourself now because high school is the best time to start new pursuits, and excel at old ones. Before, you might have been too young to be fully aware of your potential, and after college you will already be an adult, probably with responsibilities like a job and family. Thus, high school and college are the optimal time to explore and start creating. So, imagine that you want to achieve something in the not-too-distant future—-i.e. writing a book—-but you still want time for fun and friends. You have three possible fates:
1) You will tell yourself from the beginning that you will drive yourself to do all the necessary things efficiently (like school and chores), stick to that resolution, and have time to write your book. You then still have time for homework and relaxation.
2) You will persist in achieving your goals but you won't be efficient, and will end up being another procrastinating, stressed out, and confused teenager. Ultimately you'll be faced with an unnecessary choice between “happiness” and “success."
3) You will sacrifice your “success” for the sake of your “happiness” by essentially giving up your ambition and choosing mediocrity.
The choice is yours, but I would suggest the first option. While following it, you will realize that it is all a matter of planning, concentration, and efficiency. Tell yourself now that you have goals you won't give up, and that you want leisurely enjoyment, and that there is time enough for both if only you truly want it. Once this is done, once you have your future to look forward to and your present to revel in, you have your motivation. So next time you sit down to an unpleasant task, just do it. You may not enjoy the process but you will enjoy the result. Your motivation lies in necessity and your desire for satisfaction and success.
| Previous | Back to index | Next |
