Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Analyzing and confirming your competences
• Part 2 of 3: Generating motivation
• Part 3 of 3: Breaking mental barriers

Is there anything you know you should do? Maybe get a college degree, finish a book report, or lose a few pounds. You really want this, but for some reason you just don't believe you can. Learn how to convince yourself to do something, and also gain more confidence in yourself throughout this process.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Analyzing and confirming your competences

1. Think of a reason why this task should be done. Research has shown that the best way to convince yourself of something is to develop a strong argument. It seems that people have to put in more effort to convince themselves of something they don't believe in than what they already believe in. Thus, if you want to convince yourself to do something, you will have to come up with a good reason to do it.
   • Grab a piece of paper and list all the pros and cons if you're going to do this. For example, if you are trying to convince yourself that you can get a college degree, you can write that you want to increase your skills in a particular field, qualify for certain jobs or training, that you can network with leaders within the field (e.g. professors and other students), and want to broaden your world view.
   • Think about and list all the benefits you will gain from doing this. Then read the list out loud, telling yourself why this task is so important. Repeat these benefits every day or whenever you need motivation.
2. Find out what skills you have to accomplish the task. Sometimes we convince ourselves not to do something by listing all the reasons why we would be unfit to perform a task. Anticipate and counteract this problem by thinking about all the ways you are just the right person to do the job.
   • In the example of going to college, you can indicate degrees, leadership skills, extracurricular activities, writing and speaking skills to help you get your college degree. These are all strengths you can point out in order to increase your decision making and self-confidence and actually move forward with it.
   • If you find it difficult to identify your strengths, ask for input from others. Talk to a parent, teacher, boss, or friend who can share some of your positive traits.
3. Learn about what is required. One possible reason you may not believe you can do something is your tendency to overestimate what it takes. You come across something unfamiliar and you just assume the task is too difficult or impossible to accomplish. However, gathering more information or clarifying what you already know can make the task seem more doable. Here are a few ways to learn more about a particular task:
   • Do your research. By looking up all the information there is on a certain topic, your knowledge will increase and you will gain confidence to take on the task.
   • Talk to someone who has already done it. Talking to someone else about the task can help answer questions and ease your concerns.
   • Follow someone who is currently working on it. By actually seeing someone complete the task, you can better understand what steps need to be taken to carry it out. In addition, the individual may not have special skills or training to perform the task. If he can do it, then you can too.
4. List all the steps as if you want to teach them to someone else. Once you have taught yourself what it takes to complete the task, list these steps for someone else. Learning through experience is one of the most profound ways to solidify your knowledge on a subject. Teaching someone else can help you check that you have a good understanding of what you are talking about.
   • Make sure the other person is able to understand and ask questions about the subject matter. If you can outline what needs to be done and answer questions the other person asks about it, then you are likely to be well equipped to take on the task.

Part 2 of 3: Generating motivation

1. Repeat a powerful mantra. Perhaps when you think of the word mantra, you think of the sounds recited during yoga or meditation. Your way of thinking is correct, but also limited.A mantra can be any phrase that energizes and transforms your thinking. These words are positive statements that put you in a successful position.
   • Mantras can be anything; from a single word to empowering quotes such as, "Either I find a way or I make one." Look for the words that motivate you and repeat them regularly throughout the day.
2. Watch the lives of people you admire. Role models are not just for children or young adults. Regardless of your age, you can learn from and be inspired by someone else.
   • Find a teacher, colleague, boss, or public figure who lives a life that you find admirable. Study this person and learn from their way. When you take an example from someone with strong ethical values, you will also start to behave more positively in your own life.
   • But this role model doesn't have to come from someone you know. You can be inspired by world leaders, writers and entrepreneurs. Read a book or watch a documentary about this person's life and learn more about what that person experienced on the way to success.
3. Spend time with other people who believe in you. Believing in yourself is something that can make you particularly happy, but when you lack motivation, it can be particularly motivating to interact with other people who do believe in you.
   • Realize that the people you spend most of your time with have a huge impact on your life - both positively and negatively. Choose to surround yourself with people who support you, and whom you can support and encourage in turn.
4. Visualize your success. Visualization a mental exercise in which you use your imagination and senses to get into a certain state. Visualization helps train your brain for something you want to do in reality. Therefore, the usefulness of this exercise is unprecedented when it comes to achieving success.
   • Before you start visualizing you determine what it is that you want to achieve. Then picture yourself standing at the finish line. This could be a dream career or what you look like after losing a lot of weight. Consider the sensations associated with this success. Who is with you? What thoughts are going through your mind? What kind of emotions do you have? What sounds do you hear? What scents do you smell?
   • Do this exercise daily, in the morning or in the evening.
5. Work for a short period of time. It's all too easy to get overwhelmed by a hard task, when you think about it in terms of the time it will take you. However, in order to be as productive as possible, you may find that spending less time on a task yields better results than more time. The fact is, researchers have shown a cycle called the ultradian rhythm, where your body goes from a state of high alertness to less alert states.
   • Tell yourself that you will be working on a particular task for 90 minutes, after which you will take a break. This will give you the chance to work while you can think clearly and reflectively, then give you time to rest and recover before moving on to the next batch of work.
   • In order to do this, you will have to be willing to complete tasks sooner than necessary. That way you are not forced to work long hours at a time.

Part 3 of 3: Breaking mental barriers

1. Identify your values ​​and beliefs. Not fully understanding your own values ​​is like going on a trip without GPS or some map. Values ​​help us navigate through different circumstances so that we can live lives that are personally satisfying for us. To find out your values, you can answer the following questions:
   • Which people do you respect most? What qualities do those you admire have and why?
   • If your house is on fire (people and animals have already been brought to safety), which 3 objects would you save and why?
   • What moments in your life have especially made you feel satisfied? What about the moment gave you that satisfied feeling?
2. Set goals that match your personal values. After you narrow this down to a short list of your most important values, you will need to set S.M.A.R.T goals to support those values. Once you have set goals that allow you to live your values, do one thing that will help you work towards those goals every day. S.M.A.R.T.targets are:
   • Specific - give clear answers to "who, what, when, where, which and why"
   • Measurable - make an overview of how you track progress towards your goal
   • Acceptable - whether it can be achieved with the resources, skills and abilities you have
   • Realistic - the goal is challenging but also represents a goal you want and can achieve
   • Time-bound - the set time period must be feasible and at the same time carry some form of urgency
3. Get rid of excuses. The most common mental barrier to getting things done is often what we tell ourselves every day. If you are asked why you have not achieved a certain goal, your answer is that not all variables have been perfectly met. These are excuses and you will have to cut them out of the equation in order to achieve your goals.
   • Avoid these excuses by taking yourself seriously. Whatever you use as an excuse is probably just a way to protect yourself from having to change.
   • Setting SMART goals should help debunk some of your excuses. As for other excuses, such as not having time, money, or resources, you will have to look closely at your life to decide what you can afford to leave out. Omit an insignificant activity or expense to prioritize something that is important. Don't wait for all the variables to magically fall into place. Be purposeful in changing your life so that it supports you in achieving your goals.