Generating motivation

In recent posts I’ve been exploring the nature of a great learner, and the benefits of becoming a great learner. If you are like me you may read things like these, become convinced of the benefits of life-changing action, but seem unable to get moving—in other words, lacking sufficient motivation.

It is very difficult to begin any learning journey – or for that matter any task – without motivation. If the learning journey you are starting is life-changing you will probably need strong motivation just to counteract your own inertia. Strong motivation will also be necessary when we encounter challenges along the path.

There is no magic switch called ‘motivation’, nor any magic pill that provides it. That being the case, how do we generate motivation for learning? Here are some ideas:

• Contemplate your current state; now contemplate the benefits of becoming a great learner (see previous post). If you can, visualize yourself as a great learner. What would you be saying or doing? How would you be feeling? How would it affect those around you?

• Contemplate the benefits of the particular training or study program you are attending, or plan to attend. Again, visualize yourself as having accomplished that training. What would you be saying or doing? How would you be feeling? How would it affect those around you?

• If you have chosen this particular learning path yourself, strengthen your motivation by reminding yourself how much you need or want this particular learning.

• If you have not chosen a particular training event, course or program, strengthen your motivation by looking for the aspects of that training that you believe will be most beneficial to yourself or others. Brainstorm different ways in which this course might apply in your life, even if they don't seem to be immediately applicable.

• In order to generate motivation for learning in Buddhist practice we try to develop a sense that we are ‘sick’ – from the mental diseases of delusions – and that we need ‘supreme medicine’ (the teachings), prescribed by a supreme doctor’ (our teacher). This helps us receive teachings eagerly, and helps deepen our respect for our teacher.

In general, we generate strong motivation when the gap between how we are living today and how we would like to be living is large.

Although not always easy, I recommend contemplating how a learning program will truly benefit not just you, but others. If you extend your wish to include others you may notice that it becomes more powerful, and that your motivation becomes stronger.

Once motivation has been generated you can take charge of your own learning. You will learn to love what you do and take an active role in the improvement of your life. In other words you will begin to gain control of your learning, and mastery over your life.

Next: preparing your mind.

-David Luke, Senior Consultant at FocusFit (2007) Inc.

© 2011 D. G. Luke and FocusFit (2007) Inc.