Motivation

I have been having a REALLY  hard time getting myself to do my homework lately. It might be because the amount of stuff I have to do it overwhelming or because some of it is really hard. I just have had a lack of motivation to get a better start than the last minute on my homework.

I have a LOT to think about all of the time. I don't know why I avoid doing stuff when I know I need to. I am a really good procrastinator. Mixing that with no motivation is not a good thing.
What is motivation, anyway? 
Dictionary.com definitions:
motivate- "to stimulate toward action"
motivation- "the act or an instance of motivating, or providing with a reason to act in a certain way"

Well, as you know me or hopefully know me, I also looked it up on LDS.org. An article I found that relates directly with it but doesn't talk about motivation directly has to do with rekindling our wonder and desire for learning. 

"Experiencing peaks and valleys in enthusiasm for gospel learning is not uncommon. But those who allow a lull in spiritual learning to lengthen into a lifestyle are in danger of losing “even that which they have” in spiritual understanding (2 Nephi 28:30; see also Matthew 25:14–30)."

I think this can be applied to any situation and any learning. This article is by Adam Olson of the Church Magazines and is published in the January 2012 Liahona. You can read the full article by clicking here.

Olson gives three truths about rediscovering wonder:

1. There is more that I need to know. 
"Part of being teachable is remembering that there's always something I don't know that I probably need to know."

2. I need the Holy Ghost's help to learn what I need.

3. Learning takes effort on my part. 
"Learning is an active not a passive exercise."

I think that last truth is the most important for me and my homework. We have to do work to be able to learn. 

With that being said, I need to get back to my work. Sigh. 

As I go do my homework, just something to ponder- where does your motivation come from? 
(Feel free to comment on this post.)
Finding out where motivation initially comes from was my way of motivating myself...at least a little bit.




Comments

  1. NicoleMarch 9, 2012 at 8:18 AM

    I have a super hard time some weeks, too... I think part of it really is the fact that maybe I'm overwhelmed and don't know where to start.
    I feel like several things motivate me. Generally, if I just MAKE myself start, I usually end up continuing because I feel the sense of accomplishment and RELIEF when I finish what I need to. I think this is one of the reasons that my parents, and the leaders of the Church, for that matter, feel work is important. Even God and Jesus Christ took the seventh day to admire what they had created.
    Heavenly Father commanded us not to be idle, and to do our best in everything we choose to do. This also motivates me because I feel that I have the duty to honor God, myself, and my family by having the goal to use my time wisely and to do my best (not to mention that I also have a scholarship, and if I don't do well, none of those people are going to be very happy with me, lol). If we don't do our best, I think we learn very little, if nothing, at all. And when we die, we take with us what we learned.

    So... haha, I know that was a long post, but to summarize, my motivation comes from a desire to learn, to improve myself to please God, and to be obedient.

    ReplyDelete

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