Posted on March 5, 2016

The energy needed to take action comes from three motives: capacity, desire and duty. In other words, our motivation feeds on: I can, I want, I have to.

The case where mobilization towards action is particularly difficult is the one we are discussing here and which you have certainly encountered during your working life. These are situations in which your commitment does not seem to be freely agreed, but – in a way – constrained by a demand (moral, ethical, influential, reason, power, etc.). In the following, we will assume that the following alternatives are not available:

1. You do not realize the task (Eliminate)
2. You have it done by someone else (Muter)
3. You re-re-plan it (Procrastiner)

So you have no alternative but to do the “abominable” task. So why wait longer? The following 3 proposals can help you move forward. They aim to increase the energy level of the “I want” you need to mobilize NOW.

A) LIST ONE TWO ADVANTAGES you will benefit when the task is performed

Satisfaction, relief, rescue, security, serenity, etc. ?

Medications often have an unpleasant taste. That’s why we do not want to swallow them. What drives us to do it anyway is the list of benefits we’ll get when we’ve swallowed the wrong potion. Does this remind you of something ? So no time to lose. Since you have to perform this task task; what will happen to you when it is realized? Can not find at least two answers to this question.

B) CUT the task into three small plots AND REALIZE the first plot in the day

Repeat this step each day and as many times as necessary with the rest of the task. In general, it would take you no more than 3 days to get through it.

Make sure to reduce the deadline for completion of the first plot to a minimum. Ideally, realize it immediately.

Example: I have to submit the report that Franck asked me

The 3 small plots:

1. I retrieve the data
2. I build the report plan
3. I write the report

It is 11:00; I plan the realization of the first plot now (or at the latest from 14:00)

C) Do not stay alone

a) Discuss with a colleague, friend, family member … reasons that prevent you from taking action.

b) Ask him to listen to you without interrupting you.

c) At the end of your explanation ask him / her to rephrase as accurately as possible what he / she understood. Do not interrupt him; listen to it until the end.

d) Consider together – in brainstorming mode – several solutions or alternatives to the problem that has been formulated clearly.

Examples of reformulations (and brainstorming tracks):

c) I understand that you are constantly pushing back the date of this task because:

• You’re afraid of not getting there (look for alternatives to this fear)
• You do not feel competent enough (look for alternatives to this anguish of incompetence)
• You do not want to do what is asked of you (look for alternatives to my resistance)
• The subject is difficult (look for alternatives to simplify the subject)
• The subject is boring (look for alternatives to brighten the subject)
• The work is surly (look for alternatives to make the subject pleasant)
• You do not see the added value of this work (List the Added Values ​​that make sense to you)
• etc.

Whether you want it or not, none of your actions can be realized without you having decided it. It is impossible – at the end of the day – to realize an action “unknowingly of your own free will” … because it is you who are investing your energy to accomplish the result. No one other than you gives the order to your muscles to type on this keyboard to write this report. So there is inevitably a time when you make enough “I WANT” to tackle this very annoying task. Tell us about your experience of the above 3 tips and good luck!

To go further in solving problems of this nature related to your motivation, attend our training TEAM COACHING. Information request