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People need FORGET about "motivation"! Getting things done is not about motivation! It's about enduring the pain of actually forcing yourself to do something until you get the satisfaction of accomplishment when it's finished - and turn this into a habbit. You cant survive on motivation! There is no easy way out, stop looking for motivation, and just sit and do it! Trust me, only first 5-7 minutes are painful and only first 1-2 months are hard! Think about it this way - 5 minutes of daily effort separate you from greatness!
+aygecko For me, motivation gives me a temporary push (but it isn't effective every single time). My main problem is how to KEEP on enduring that 5-7 minutes :/ I might be able to get through the first few days, but then I will fall back to no progress again. How do you "just keep doing it"?
Amy JY ah man, it's hard! It's hard at first. No easy solutions. For me, the breaking point (for weakness) is when you reach your first results in what you force yourself to do. Acknowledgement from others, promotion, perfect test result, improvement of strength. These give you a LOT of pleasure, and you can keep using those experiences to give you the push. It gets easier, the more you accomplish. It is one of the reasons why it is often recommended to have tangible small step goals for what you do - it makes sitting through the first 5-7 minutes easier to do. Just keep at it, and dont think about the work ahead (except before sleep), think about the work you've done and congratulate yourself on it. Then do it.
+aygecko You, sir, are awesome. You're totally right. It's not the motivation that will help us achieve our goals, it's the willingness to succeed and doing it even when we don't want to.
+aygecko If you can get yourself motivated it makes the action easier for you, because you have conducive emotions, the kognitive load is lower, your sense of time is faster and your attention stays focused. But if you can't get yourself motivated you can also achieve your goals by the use of volution. It is more exhausting but it works as good.
We need to stop talking about 'motivation' and 'pain' and 'grind' and all this language creates a problem that shouldn't even exist. Ask yourself this: can you pick up your pen? Yes? Good. Now. Can you get your study notes? Check. Can you read that first line? Done. Break it down into incremental tasks, don't torment yourself with the big picture.
Tammy Milda after reading that first line, can you see your phone at the corner of your vision? Yes? Good. Now, can you unlock it and see random videos like this one on RUclips? Hell yeah!!
Skyrim 4 Life don't ever think about that, it's not good. look for jobs that interest you and try to research as much info as possible about it. Work hard for your goals, never give up (even if you are straight up wanting to quit)and always know that you'll make mistakes along the way and when you know them, correct them, and try to do better... Good luck:)
Honestly, I've been depressed lately and had no motivation what's so ever. My grades are terrible and I even thought of dropping out of college. But after finding you on RUclips I feel motivated once again and I now feel like my life has purpose again. I appreciate your honesty you help me out so much! Thanks for saving my ass.
What if you don't have any distractions and the motivation still isn't there? What if every assignment feels like an impossible task, a mountain you are too out of shape to ever climb? What if you're, like, depressed?
I'm not depressed. I beat that last year but everything else you said describes me right now, I know it's temporary but my work is urgent but I'm in a funk. Also, If you are depressed, you might not want to hear this but ask God for help. He helped me. I saw a change after I prayed for help. I couldn't bring myself to at first, but once I did, my life was changed. Pls try, you have nothing to lose. I truly hope that you get better and find peace - and motivation. :)
I don't have motivation to study so instead of studying I'm watching a video to get motivation to study... I think I'll study tomorrow 😔 I know this is going to repeat again tomorrow.. 😐
Zidane Tribal I think the most key thing to use when getting good grades is confidence... confidence can change a lot about how you perform on an assessment or test and so be confident( even if you don't feel like you'll do good just do it). I won't go into more detail but you can find that in this channel... take notes off it, figure out how you will utilize these techniques he gives us, and make sure to do it
Some people don't do well in school but do well in life... find out what you're passionate about and find other people who are doing it to learn from / figure out what you have to do to get there.
I figured it out. I found the secret. It’s don’t think about it. Just do it. When you think about it you get stressed so your mind is trying to rid of the stressor by making you want to do anything else but study. So forget the stress or even the deadlines and just do the work without thinking about anything else related to it.
Here's some tips I found useful :p - use the chrome extension 'StayFocused" it's actually great - make sure your room or dorm, wherever it is, is clean - eat well because junk food and energy drinks will fuck you - and download 'Endnote" because it will construct and cite any and all references you use just by copying and pasting the URL - don't be a cyborg, you should take breaks up to every 2 hours, the human brain has its limits .. just like driving, you can only last so long before your concentration wares - stay calm .. it's just words on a page, only you limit yourself in life, not your grades
I am lazy and have low self-esteem. I have yet to find a self-imposed consequence that doesn't fall into one of the following two categories: A: Even though it may be drastic (putting money on the line, public embaressment, etc.) I can see myself accepting that consequence for failing. It therefore fails to extrinsically motivate me enough to overcome my laziness. B: The consequence is so drastic that I cannot risk the possibility of it ever happening. Since I generally don't really believe in myself and assume I'm going to fail at some point, I cannot use that consequence. There should be something in between, but I haven't found it yet :/
The reason why I tend to procrastinate with studying is because I honestly don't know how to go about it. I use flash cards for important terms but concepts and theories are a little harder to compartmentalize enough for effective studying. Can you make a video on how to create a study guide from text and lecture notes? Any advice you can offer would be immensely helpful!
I realize this is an old comment, but I've found that things more complex than vocabulary words or few-step equations are easier for me to understand (and thus remember) when I read them to myself and try to reword it in as many ways as I can. Pretend you're trying to explain the concept to someone else; this could be your teacher, another student, or even your parents or siblings. The less experienced the person would be, the more you'll have to simplify your explanation. If it's math, try to shift your frame of mind: rather than seeing an equation and basically seeing a book written in an unknown language, I've been starting to see math more like logic puzzles that I need to learn the rules for. If neither of those work, look into the four basic learning styles: visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic (VARK). Do you take in more information when it's spoken? Is it easier for you to understand something that you can read, or do you prefer a more hands-on approach? Knowing which style (or styles) suit you best is a good place to start before going about forming study plans. If you do better with reading/writing, you might write and rewrite notes and reword them each time they're copied. If you're a visual learner, looking up or creating your own charts, graphs, and diagrams might help you the best. Check out this site for more info on the VARK system; they also have questionnaires you can take to help you find out how you best learn! vark-learn.com/introduction-to-vark/the-vark-modalities/
+Rahul Dey Are you really that delusional? No one is going to marry you without actually knowing you and having been with you for a long time. She does not even know you.
I get real motivated to do my shit every single time the term starts but it just starts to dwindle and I always go back to just slothing around. Hate that i do this but it JUST HAPPENS. idunno man, nobody else has this problem? Thanks for this video though, I'll keep the tips in mind!
I'm a 28 year old single mom just going back to college and I been doing homework for the past couple of days I'm feeling overwhelmed I'm trying my best to stay on top of it just need to be more focused and motivated. Thanks for sharing this.
Nothing really is going to help you to motivate yourself except you....not this video not anything else. Shower...early in the morning..then study or chose a quite place with a desk...reorganize your desk your room...but the thing begins really with you if you are not willing to study nothing will motivate you.....I got finals wish me luck.
I find it hard to get started on tasks because I want to do well, and that makes me so anxious that I end up procrastinating a lot. How can I help motivate myself to get started anyway, when the reason I don't start is that I'm scared, rather than laziness?
I don't know what happened to me man. I used to be really an ambitious person and i tried so hard i had goles that i wanted to achieve and i just got up and did it. People were always telling me how i try too hard and that im forcing myself too much but i just wanted to be good and commit to something. Even when i was having a really tough time with depression i still tried and kept my grades up. I wrote songs and shit took guitar class i was really being productive and applying myself. But now i just cant get anything done. I don't see the point of it i just feel like life isn't worth trying for. I have prom exams today in about 4 hours and my insomnia is keeping me up and here i am watching this instead of studying. God im so worthless sometimes i wish i was never born man its not like I'm being useful or doing anything with my life man....
Thea Capuyan Yeah i know that im the person who is supposed to change things but im just so tired of fighting and losing you know. Its not like i have a bad life i got a girlfriend friends a family but i still have this feeling of despair that follows me all the time like a shadow in the darkness. I just cant get rid of it.
Needing $5 every day would imply that you failed every day. The point of putting money on the line is to make the cost of failure less attractive than simply doing the work. Using my wake-up system as an example - I never once failed to wake up on time, partly as a result of money being on the line. The money is a deterrent; ideally you should never lose it. Additionally, the dollar amount is not what needs to be focused on here. If you choose to use money as a motivator, adjust the amount you use to suit your personal situation. Or use another consequence, such as getting an accountability partner and telling them you'll do their laundry for a month if you fail.
"You want to get motivated so create systems that force motivation" "I can tell you're not WILLING to create these systems" If someone has the WILLPOWER/motivation to create a system that forces motivation/discipline in the first place, they already have the traits that would allow them to be motivated regardless. I think there's a deeper problem at hand when people are unable to get motivated that is almost certainly mental. Whether it's poor health, unacknowledged trauma negatively affecting mental state, or something else, the fact someone would even be able to "make a system" means it's more complimentary to their already positive attributes than something an unmotivated person would need to do to get motivated.
I'm an academic dean. Developing your own, or borrowing other's, systems in order to motivate oneself to get things done is a great method to be successful in whatever endeavors you select. Thanks Thomas! I'm sharing with my advising staff and faculty.
Or, you could just develop some will power. You have to be very careful about using negative motivation strategies. These will work for a while, but the additional stress will eventually lead to burn-out and failure. Positive incentives can also be tricky because they can lead to unhealthy addictive or obsessive behavior. Eventually your reward will become much more important to you than the fruits of your labor, and you'll end up doing things for the wrong reasons. Decide what you want, then stay focused on getting it.
you guys arent alone... i havent been reading anything this year, and this week the final exams started and i want to start studying so i wont stay in the same year but i just cant get myself to and tomorrow i have an exam but i just cant read i feel like ill go insane i want someone to help me mentally and also help me do my homework because when im alone i cant study im so scared i wont have time and i want to start reading now but i cant force myself too and im so scared ill stay in the same year this is all so f*cked up
I watched this video last semester and I think it may have helped. I know I procrastinated a lot watching your videos but overall I learned and used what worked for me. But one problem with this video. Last semester this Video might of helped me but this whole semester I've been dealing with Depression... No matter how much you fight this it's mentally impossible to continuously fight yourself for motivation or create it. As amazing as you are at helping us all overcome issues we create our self and obstacles of life (specifically for most college) I truly Hope you do a Video on dealing with Depression and other disorders such as ADHD, ADD, Dyslexia, ect. You're truly great at what you do and these topics could be a whole series on your channel. Thanks for the hard work we truly appreciate the advice.
+Bsalais15 With regards to ADHD check out Drs John Ratey and Edward Hallowell book Delivered From Distraction. When there are multiple challenges to deal with and depression is in the mix, then I recommend you try to get professional help. Good luck!
+Bsalais15 Yeah Dealing with the same - ADHD, depression and insomnia but don't have the option of insurance,money and all that jazz to get traditional help. I take l-theanine, Vitamin D&K, fish oil, exercise and motivation app(Forest and Habita). Might get a MJ card to see if it's helpful. Also? I think about the past and I can't go back .Depression is the bitch that stole mths & years from my life. So annoying! I can't keep hitting reset on my education and life. So? I'm gonna suck it up and do what I need to do.
Bsalais15 WHOOP you just described my entire last 3 years of school. youre not alone, man. depression is confusing as hell and impossibly hard to battle sometimes. as a student, or as someone wih a job or carrer, it makes things worse. *laughs mechanically while sitting on my ass and needs to shower but hasnt in days because of depression*
I lost motivation and i failed at school then i started watching these videos and i got motivated and entered the medical school and studied hard and now im a 4th year medical student :)
"I have no motivation to motivate myself to motivate myself" - Olivia Hesson 2017 - Welp this sound like me, but my problem is way bigger for who ever want to read my piece of life right there. *BIG SHORT STORY* : I spent 3 years fighting depression at the age of 13-16 it's been 7 months since I'm out of it and I'm starting again to lose all my will to do anything. Back in the day I used to say "It is better to feel neutral than feel sad" but what if feeling neutral make you sad? It's a vicious circle and it never end for me. My self-conciousness and my ambitiousness are pretty low like extremely low. I have ONE goal in life and I'm not doing enough to reach it. But I know myself, when I'll reach it what will motivate me? _Nothing..._ That's right! I can never get enough of whatever I like. After a couple day/week/month Im already out of energy for that one thing I loved...And it is back to searching another meaning of life. But then again, that is just my perfectionist side it isn't really a huge problem. The problem I have is the WILL I want to be different. You can interprete this message as a "help letter" this is pretty much how I see it. I mean the only thing I am asked TO DO without a choice is going to school yet again last year I missed without valid reasons half school days and this year I started and I'm finishing the year with missing days...I dont see a meaning behind all this. I want to grow up but I'm afraid of responsabilities... So yeah that's uuh my message after watching this video I'm still not motivated.
Not very helpful. Basically, you say 'one has to be motivated in order to motivate themselves'. Obviously, there is not enough motivation to do that to begin with. This is like a person with $0 being told to invest their money so they can make more money. They obviously have no money to do that
The problem I have with motivation is that so get really overwhelmed and feel like I can't even start these tasks. That I'm too tired. Exhausted. Even if I've had my full 8 hour sleep
This vid was very cool. I motivate myself by watching some of the cool course I really really want to do. That is my focus. MIT OCW 8.04. I have to study heaps to meet the prerequisite. Most of Maths & then Physics 1 & 2. I work on easier Maths problems when I feel frazzled. This really helps, I can always bring myself to do that for 10 mins (& then I'm enjoying it). I usually get bored & then focus on the tougher bits, but even if I don't, I did some work towards my goal. Find that time after which you can keep going: I'm giving it my all for 10 mins with NO distractions. Focus on WHY: I'm doing this for my 8.04 course, which will be off the charts FUN!!!!
Dont rely on motivation to do your work because like any other emotion,sadness or happiness, it doesnt last forever. Instead build solid systems to automate what needs to be done on a daily basis. Atomation is more powerful and effective than you think.
Shoaib Salim Yes, that's how I see it too. But I don't like, that my own laziness is making me basically buying into a lie too. "I CAN'T DO MATHS''. That's dumb, why? Like 1+2 is difficult or something? Nawwww... ;-) And the other: 8.04 do you want this? My answer is YES every time! then go and do what get's you there! Boom!
This one is so timely. Thanks!! "The pain or discomfort of not doing what is supposed you are to be doing has not been great enough that you have decided to make a change in your life." wooohh..amazing.
Unfortunately, for me these systems are not a source of motivation, at least not making you feel good and excited to do something. But forced to do it. So, what I was looking for was a way of feeling motivated and willing to do what I have to do. Something that would show me the importance to my consciousness of doing it. Does anyone have an idea on that?
+Renata Mirelly hello renata. same for me... i got the impression these systems are too forced, idk... but there is a thought or a mindset that can make me do things, which is "there is nothing in this world that would make me less happy than knowing that i didnt achieve what i wanted because i didnt do my best". That scares me and keeps me going... ahahhahahah
I think the issue becomes, that we motivate ourselves enough for a week, or two weeks or even a month and after that it sort of dissipates. And you use all the techniques you have learnt all this while from productivity and motivational gurus yet you feel so lonely slipping up, among this crowd of positive people. Once in a while we'd just wanna be around someone who is going through the same thing.
Thank you for saying it outloud! I am really interested in videos and articles about motivation, but its true that in the end the only video you need is the "Just do it" fire guy Shia LaBeouf. People search for new motivational and productivity vids to find some path that would be easy and would make them dodge the resistance and make them felt the same way during work as during mindless scrolling through social media. Thats not gonna happen, guys. JUST DO IT! Or dont, but dont cry about it.
Thomas, you're an intelligent person and I appreciate this video a lot. Keep it up mate. I need more damn discipline. I'm supposed to be doing 3 assignments which have all been extended for legitimate reasons... It's 3am, I'm going to go to the gym first, then I'll try again at like 5 or 6am........ dude - reasons and excuses are synonymous, I just need to bloody focus man...
Husein A hey man! The minute you finish reading this, pick the highest-priority assignment and do a 25-minute Pomodoro session on it. Don't do anything else until that's finished. I think you'll make some good progress :)
I found that it helps when you just break thing down. Usually people cant be bothered doing things because the task seems to be paramount. However, just doing something simple like a plan consisting of dot points, can really boost your motivation.
no matter how far I try. i just can't sit in the chair for long. even if I turn off my phone, I just move around here and there wasting time. I JUST CAN'T GETTING SERIOUS. I only gets serious on the last hours left for the test. I JUST CANNOT DO IT THOMAS . Help
soumyadeep majumdar I HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I should be studying right now. And tomorrow morning I have a test. I already know I will get up early ass hell, study for about an hour. and be half asleep all day. This happens everytime... I am just not stressed for it at all, untill the last few hours.
@@Dancella Aight so this was two years ago and I have changed a bit. I still have problems with getting motivated to do something but I realized that that motivation will probably never come. The only time I am motivated is when I genuinly like an activity or, I know it will have benefit. Obviously doing homework has its benefits but the reward (graduating) takes a long time to get to you, so its hard to see that reward. Basicly all you need is discipline. Trust me if you are in high school right now and have zero motivation it probably will never come, because let's be real, most of those subjects are boring to you. You just have to do it. Force yourself to do it. Make sure there are no distractions around you and get to work. Now there are several ways to go about this, I for instance like using the 30/30 method. So I study for half an hour, and take a break for half an hour. It works so well that often I forget the time and end up studying an hour untill I feel like I need a break. But there are other methods for studying. Find the one you like the most. Hope this helps.
@@Martin-ki8jv Thank you. I'm first year high school and I feel like everything there is so uninteresting and boring, even when I try to force myself, sit on my desk and turn on the lights after 5 minutes I end up in my phone. I don't think it's going to be easy, I never get anxious about an exam but right before it starts and I end up failing because I know nothing. Everything now seems so difficult. Exams are starting tomorrow, now its 12 o'clock at night, I know nothing and tomorrow morning I'm having an exam. Well, I'll try my best for the next exam. Still, thank you, you helped me a lot.
for me the best way to motivate myself is to create this mindset that if i dont study or do the stuff I should do i feel really guilty. The way I create this is to make a plan, study plan for example, and if I dont proceed in that plan, i have failed myself. When I was reading for last falls big big tests, I decided to start in july (the test was 16.9) 36h/week. This spring im applying for medschool and I have to start reading again, partly already have. I have decided that when the school ends im reading 8h/day, i like to think that the reading is my job. All it takes is to make routine and stick to it, also u have to really think what u want to achieve . This helps u to really realize how much work u have to do to get on the needed level. The best feeling is to know that YOU gave it all you had!
Motivation in my opinion a choice and you must understand especially for studying that you are so LUCKY to be able to access and obtain an education. If we take time for gratitude motivation will come along with that
I have watched like 12 videos on motivation so for and they are all like "BE MOTIVATED!" This is the first one that actually gave me something I could do rather than saying to just suck it up. I like this video!
I could barely get through a special ed high school. I ended up in the psych ward for trying to kill myself to get out of it. How the hell my going to college. Way to many people, i'm not good at socializing with people I'm very very bad at writing essays and I just hate it. I try to do better and I don't what's the point. Schooling has always made me very upset and depressed and stressed me out. I don't see the point of going to college if it's gonna make me get upset
Great video as always! :) What struck me the most from this video is "The pain or discomfort of not doing what you are supposed to be doing has not yet become great enough that you decide to make a change in your life. " This reminds me of one of Tony Robbins' videos, he said something along the line, but as far as I remember, the video didn't mention HOW to make the pain stronger and/or so strong that it will keep you going every single time. There were several points in my life where I felt like, "I have had enough. I need to make a change. I need to change." but that motivation is often just a short push. It might keep me going for a few days, and then I just go back to the "eh" mode. Maybe, this might boil down to how do you become so self-discipline that you can always get work done? It is the "keep on doing" part that often gets me. I have lists, plans, but the follow through rate is often good at the beginning, and then falls to zero. Thank you for all you do!
+Fourteen Lines not sure if it'll help now but tell your friends if I dont score get 90% or more then I'll pay you $5. Or same thing with homework and send them pictures of it. Tell me how you study, I might help you out even though I'm younger then you
Killartist3 Well I guess you're out of luck for these conventional methods. You can try a self-reward system but if you manipulate it then just leave it. Hey, you're an engineering student and engineers are supposed to be innovating, intellectual, and so much passionate about building things then other people... I guess..... All you need to do is study harder or more efficiently
Any time I find myself distracted by something that prevents me from studying, I force myself to do 10 push ups. I know it sounds lazy, but 10 push ups is enough for me to go back to studying.
I really like this channel. The titles are sometimes clickbait (but that's what you have to do to run a successful channel on youtube), but the content is always real. Nothing he says is extremely difficult or easy -it's practical, and sometimes really boring, but that's how it is sometimes. Doing work is never glamorous, and usually not fun, but all the videos are options we can take to make starting work more tolerable and routine so we can enjoy the obvious benefits work itself has in our lives. The number of videos you have on this topic is really impressive too. Half of them don't really 'work' for me, but you have so much out there anyone in any career or area of study can benefit. Thanks!
ok. 4 videos staright in. I never procastinate and love working. But I took a break of 10 days after a whole 366 days and everything went so high that I am dying to push myself to get back to the work. I was slightly working during those 10 days too and had so much planned when I get back from that trip. But even the slightest motivation was lost, no idea why. The trip was the best one too yet I am totally depressed for no reason. Well thanx. I kinda got my 10% motivation and rest I am able to fill it. I am a motivator too on IG and YT :) Gonna start my day nicely back as I should tomorrow. Thanx thomas
These videos are like a god send ! I'm preparing to start my first year at my university and I wanted to see what I could do to avoid the same procrastinating train wreck that I went through while in community college. Your tips are so simple but very effective. Cant wait to receive the link to your book. :)
I'm sorry but you're telling me that, as a college student, this kid should still be willing to give out five dollars to everyone who responds to a tweet? Have you ever been a college student? Five dollars is food for the day sometimes.
Focus on the principle, not the amount of money. If $1 is significant to you, use that. Or don't use money at all - bet a friend you'll do their laundry for a month if you fail. Tim Cook wouldn't find $5 to be very motivating either - he'd probably need to use $5 million. The key with any example is to apply the principle to your specific conditions.
One habit I discovered that works for me is creating rituals. After reading books on procrastination and managing energy i realized the importance of rituals, like Tom said that creating an everyday system like his morning routine helps get up in the morning. That system "ritual" is a motivation in itself. I found it easier that now that I have a morning ritual I know exactly what I have to do and it's harder for me to talk myself out of doing it becouse the plan is already laid out for me. Psychologist say that if you really want to make a habit stick like studying or working out to make a everyday ritual and incorporate it into your everyday life that way you don't have to think about doing it just becomes second nature. Hope this helps!
Thomas! Great video! Your thoughts were very clear & concise, and what you said is the absolute truth. It takes a lot of guts to face ourselves and say do it now or pay for it later with consequences I do not want. I have been out of school for the most part for 20 years, except a few classes here and there. I made the transition to become a full time student last year. I have struggled more than I ever thought I would. I have at times thought maybe I wouldn't get the information being presented. I have procrastinated. But never, ever in my mind have I consider quitting. Due to some health issues I have I realized it will take me longer than the average student to finish. But, I will finish. It will be more work for me, but I am willing to do it. I've gotten to the point where my desire for a degree is stronger than anything else. My point is I am willing to work around my shortfalls, just like you said in this video. Its really hard, and it is challenging beyond words for me, but like you said, we must be willing to put in the work! Your video is on point!! Please keep them coming, because I learn a lot from you!
My problem is I don’t have any real big external motivator, and the one that would be able to motivate me is unlikely to exist. I don’t really value money that much, don’t really care about Twitter public opinion, and don’t have a person that I would trust to share/help me with this burden. I just understand that I need to suck it up without actually trying my best to achieve it, because I am not used to mentally push myself. Man I could use an irl battle pass system but I don’t think I will get anything like that.
leila try doing practice on Khan academy. just Google Khan academy SAT practice. it's an awesome free program that has 6 full length practice tests and a simple and easy practice plan that will give you 20 math or reading questions every day that focus on the topics you need the most help on. I saw my scores increase a lot using Khan academy regularly. I hope you find it helpful and good luck.
You give sage advice, I am unfortunately (currently) a massive procrastinator, partly due to serious ill health which causes tiredness, but I am fed up with using that as an excuse and am wanting to kick start my motivation again. I have a part time job so I have no real excuse as why I can't get things done in between my work days. After listening to this video, the point I want to make is, maybe instead of trying to think of the negative consequences to not doing something we should practise positive thinking towards small manageable and easy to achieve tasks, I think part of the reason that many people procrastinate is that we constantly put ourselves into a negative mood with the idea that we will fail at something because we have procrastinated in the past and that we label ourselves as such, ultimately pullin our motivation down, I am going to look into how to form positive thinking habits as I think it would be a great idea to have positive incentives. I am unwilling (because I am on minimum wage) to put myself at financial risk (or certainly until I have built up my confidence that I can form new positive habits). I know I need to have more confidence in myself and I am seeking advice from such people as yourself to help, which after watching only a few of your videos I must thank you for, keep up the great videos, I love them :)
I love how straight up this is. It's so true. You gotta be willing to put the time and energy into doing something. It's not just motivation, it's discipline. Making the decision to do whatever it takes.
I watched this some time ago but at that time didn’t really need the advice. Now, I found myself being unable to even want focus at all in my studies and remembered this video. After rewatching it I think I thought of something helpful. So thank you so much for making this video! I’ve always been the kind of person you can’t force to do anything or I’ll do absolutely everything in my power to not do what’s ”asked” of me. So threatening myself with even worse consequences than the bad end result just won’t work with me. Yet, without realizing it, that’s exactly what I’ve been trying to do: force myself. Now I figured this is what’s been eating away my motivation to do stuff I love (studying as one them). so, I’m going to try a different approach. Thank you again for this video!
When I've finally got myself to do something, I've never regretted it; I actually felt great about myself. So I always remind myself of that when I am reluctant to do something.
Good job Tom! I just want to send you some positivity. I have to commend you on 1) doing what you think is important despite it being seemingly abstract for many people, 2) seeking to help people and being genuine and real, 3) trying to do a good job. I value this approach and our generations' forward and pragmatic thinking. I think the problem described here is great as it points out that we are human and prone to certain barriers that are difficult to understand and confront in our current society. The issue I have is that you suggest it is a matter of willpower. The issue is that we feel like we don't have control over our lives. "I wish I could bring myself to do it, but I just can't, and I don't know why." Part of behavior change requires creating an easily doable plan of action. I think what you could try and do is create a short first steps for helping someone to learn how to be self-motivated. I don't know how experienced you feel about this, but it doesn't really matter, you already talk about what you do! It has to be simple and short and even though it might not work for everyone, the goal is to have something that can provide people with a easy sense of control. I'm not an expert and neither has all the answers, but you do provide some great tools and can potentially simplify things further for those who are just depressed and hopeless and have lost willpower and control! (Maybe you do have this, and in that case, I have yet to find it, but I am just throwing this out there because it is cathartic to write my thoughts). PEACE.
this was a real hard wake up call for me and it made some excellent points, now its just a matter of finding consequences or rewards that will really motivate me and really sticking to it.
I fluctuate. Sometimes i have the motivation to di the things, other time i dont.. I am trying meditation these days. it heps me control my thoughts - i know when my mind start wandering and i can at that precise moment decide weather or not to go with the train of thoughts. I do have a system of motivation. Watching thomas videos keeps me motivated :) sometimes i forget to watch them and find myself in disappointment. Read it somewhere - motivation is like bathing - we require it daily. Your system is awesome thomas. Thanks a ton. Though in my case o an required to study 12 hrs a day. Thats the only single task for the next 30 dats... Please help thomas :) thanks. You rock.
Your youtube channel is very underrated, I have been watching you since 2017 and I have learned allot from your journey to become a better learner and try different ways to get up and motivate yourself throughout the day. As a graduated student I can say that the methods I learned here were very effective and sometimes life is just a scattered bunch of randomness that we have to create a system for in order to study and get things done before the deadlines
so I'm about to go back to college this Fall to get a different degree, my first one was in Anthropology, this one will be in computer science. Here's my coping methods: -Split my sleep up into 2 polyphasic sleep times. usually 4 hours from 6pm-10pm, and 4 hours from 4am-8am. at 8am I would wake up, go to classes, and then come home around 4, eat dinner, then go to sleep by 6. I liked this because for one, I hate sleep, It's always been the most frustrating need my body has. The second thing it did was it actually removed that 6pm-10pm time I might normally go waste time doing something--that's prime socialization time so by 10pm, everyone's winding down for the night and I can go quietly do my homework, the study rooms are usually less busy, etc. -Set times between classes during the day to do work, usually a full day or two ahead of time I would do my homework, especially math homework because if I waited until the day off, the amount of people doing it at the last minute would overload the school servers and it would take forever to finish simple work. So, 2-3 days ahead of time usually gave me plenty of time to get help if I needed it, but also finish it well before the school servers had an issue. That time between classes I was usually in focus mode, so I'd go to a school computer lab, removing myself from my dorm room, which my brain saw as a play area rather than a work area. Removing myself from my dorm room, forcing myself to be in a school computer lab, and then I would work on my assignments there. Most college classes have an online homework element anyways, so I might as well get those done, work on papers/or whatever while I'm out of my dorm and in work mode.
Good lord, you're pure genius. Now I understand that I haven't done everything I possibly could've to improve my life in the long run... THANKS FOR THE GREAT VIDEO THOMAS :)
Learn how to build strong habits that actually stick - take my FREE habit-building course: collegeinfogeek.com/go/habit-course/ (this is an affiliate link, so using it also supports my channel 😀 )
I have no motivation to motivate myself to motivate myself.
Well, your screwed. But at least you're not alone. XD
Olivia Hesson I know EXACTLY what you mean...
Try Team fearless
inception
Can't help reading that in a tyler the creator voice
*Knows how to motivate myself but still chooses to watch videos on how to motivate myself*
same!
+Anev Honor True
+Anev Honor same here but you trying to confeness yr self not
Lol yes that's me
lol same. I complain to much but I also know how it's done.
Who else is here partly to procrastinate from studying
+Cameron Thorby I'm here to procrastinate on answering emails - does that count? :P
+Thomas Frank pull up a chair, Team Procrastination all the way
Hello fellow procrastinator !+Cameron Thorby
Now I'm fully aware I should get back to studying ^^
+Cameron Thorby same
ahaha so true
People need FORGET about "motivation"! Getting things done is not about motivation! It's about enduring the pain of actually forcing yourself to do something until you get the satisfaction of accomplishment when it's finished - and turn this into a habbit. You cant survive on motivation! There is no easy way out, stop looking for motivation, and just sit and do it! Trust me, only first 5-7 minutes are painful and only first 1-2 months are hard! Think about it this way - 5 minutes of daily effort separate you from greatness!
+aygecko For me, motivation gives me a temporary push (but it isn't effective every single time). My main problem is how to KEEP on enduring that 5-7 minutes :/ I might be able to get through the first few days, but then I will fall back to no progress again. How do you "just keep doing it"?
Amy JY ah man, it's hard! It's hard at first. No easy solutions. For me, the breaking point (for weakness) is when you reach your first results in what you force yourself to do. Acknowledgement from others, promotion, perfect test result, improvement of strength. These give you a LOT of pleasure, and you can keep using those experiences to give you the push. It gets easier, the more you accomplish. It is one of the reasons why it is often recommended to have tangible small step goals for what you do - it makes sitting through the first 5-7 minutes easier to do. Just keep at it, and dont think about the work ahead (except before sleep), think about the work you've done and congratulate yourself on it. Then do it.
+aygecko You, sir, are awesome. You're totally right. It's not the motivation that will help us achieve our goals, it's the willingness to succeed and doing it even when we don't want to.
+aygecko If you can get yourself motivated it makes the action easier for you, because you have conducive emotions, the kognitive load is lower, your sense of time is faster and your attention stays focused. But if you can't get yourself motivated you can also achieve your goals by the use of volution. It is more exhausting but it works as good.
+Sina Wilson it's usually a combination. Motivation is short on fuel and you get burned out quick.
We need to stop talking about 'motivation' and 'pain' and 'grind' and all this language creates a problem that shouldn't even exist. Ask yourself this: can you pick up your pen? Yes? Good. Now. Can you get your study notes? Check. Can you read that first line? Done. Break it down into incremental tasks, don't torment yourself with the big picture.
The best comment so far HAHA
why does this make it seem so much easier than it actually is.
+bueaty3656 yeah this is true
Well said, more people need to read this comment! :)
Tammy Milda after reading that first line, can you see your phone at the corner of your vision? Yes? Good. Now, can you unlock it and see random videos like this one on RUclips? Hell yeah!!
Need to study chemistry.....
Breaking bad here i come..
+Neel Mehta lmao
Same, having a test about DNA tomorrow
+EasyGaming11 that's biology
+I said ŚTFU or biochemistry.
+lonely girl could you teach me? 😂 organic chemistry is my enemy. It should go die xD
I should be studying........but i'm binging these videos instead. lol
sad
sad
sad
STOP
I just don't want to work at burgerking
still better than mcdonalds
still costumer service tho...
at least ur surrounded by frensh fries
uhhhh.......not helping!!!
Skyrim 4 Life don't ever think about that, it's not good. look for jobs that interest you and try to research as much info as possible about it. Work hard for your goals, never give up (even if you are straight up wanting to quit)and always know that you'll make mistakes along the way and when you know them, correct them, and try to do better...
Good luck:)
I'm watching this when I'm supposed to be studyinh
hahaha saame
Grim Reaper same😆
So fuckin study now !!!
Actually even I'm doing the same. We all literally are shameless.
Grim Reaper Awesome name and profile pic
Honestly, I've been depressed lately and had no motivation what's so ever. My grades are terrible and I even thought of dropping out of college. But after finding you on RUclips I feel motivated once again and I now feel like my life has purpose again. I appreciate your honesty you help me out so much! Thanks for saving my ass.
Same
so what happened whats your life like now, did u graduate ?
What if you don't have any distractions and the motivation still isn't there? What if every assignment feels like an impossible task, a mountain you are too out of shape to ever climb? What if you're, like, depressed?
Noah Franks then you're lazy
@@farhanhumoud8195 nah it means college isn't for you
I'm not depressed. I beat that last year but everything else you said describes me right now, I know it's temporary but my work is urgent but I'm in a funk. Also, If you are depressed, you might not want to hear this but ask God for help. He helped me. I saw a change after I prayed for help. I couldn't bring myself to at first, but once I did, my life was changed. Pls try, you have nothing to lose. I truly hope that you get better and find peace - and motivation. :)
@@TessG9107 thanks for this. I am being in the funk rn, have to do lots of assignemnet :(
I had to motivate myself to just watch this video :/
Lmao
I don't have motivation to study so instead of studying I'm watching a video to get motivation to study...
I think I'll study tomorrow 😔
I know this is going to repeat again tomorrow.. 😐
Your not alone bro!
Did you ever study?
Today is my test and I'm not sure what it's about and by today I mean it's 230am
I suck so much at school I'm on here looking up studying tutorials wtf is wrong with me
Zidane Tribal you don't suck at school nobody does school is equally set for everyone you're just lazy to work
Hassan ulger Thank you....
Zidane Tribal I think the most key thing to use when getting good grades is confidence... confidence can change a lot about how you perform on an assessment or test and so be confident( even if you don't feel like you'll do good just do it). I won't go into more detail but you can find that in this channel... take notes off it, figure out how you will utilize these techniques he gives us, and make sure to do it
Some people don't do well in school but do well in life... find out what you're passionate about and find other people who are doing it to learn from / figure out what you have to do to get there.
I figured it out. I found the secret. It’s don’t think about it. Just do it. When you think about it you get stressed so your mind is trying to rid of the stressor by making you want to do anything else but study. So forget the stress or even the deadlines and just do the work without thinking about anything else related to it.
Here's some tips I found useful :p
- use the chrome extension 'StayFocused" it's actually great
- make sure your room or dorm, wherever it is, is clean
- eat well because junk food and energy drinks will fuck you
- and download 'Endnote" because it will construct and cite any and all references you use just by copying and pasting the URL
- don't be a cyborg, you should take breaks up to every 2 hours, the human brain has its limits .. just like driving, you can only last so long before your concentration wares
- stay calm .. it's just words on a page, only you limit yourself in life, not your grades
+Austin Eaves thanks man!
I am lazy and have low self-esteem. I have yet to find a self-imposed consequence that doesn't fall into one of the following two categories:
A: Even though it may be drastic (putting money on the line, public embaressment, etc.) I can see myself accepting that consequence for failing. It therefore fails to extrinsically motivate me enough to overcome my laziness.
B: The consequence is so drastic that I cannot risk the possibility of it ever happening. Since I generally don't really believe in myself and assume I'm going to fail at some point, I cannot use that consequence.
There should be something in between, but I haven't found it yet :/
Same
The reason why I tend to procrastinate with studying is because I honestly don't know how to go about it. I use flash cards for important terms but concepts and theories are a little harder to compartmentalize enough for effective studying. Can you make a video on how to create a study guide from text and lecture notes? Any advice you can offer would be immensely helpful!
I realize this is an old comment, but I've found that things more complex than vocabulary words or few-step equations are easier for me to understand (and thus remember) when I read them to myself and try to reword it in as many ways as I can. Pretend you're trying to explain the concept to someone else; this could be your teacher, another student, or even your parents or siblings. The less experienced the person would be, the more you'll have to simplify your explanation. If it's math, try to shift your frame of mind: rather than seeing an equation and basically seeing a book written in an unknown language, I've been starting to see math more like logic puzzles that I need to learn the rules for.
If neither of those work, look into the four basic learning styles: visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic (VARK). Do you take in more information when it's spoken? Is it easier for you to understand something that you can read, or do you prefer a more hands-on approach? Knowing which style (or styles) suit you best is a good place to start before going about forming study plans. If you do better with reading/writing, you might write and rewrite notes and reword them each time they're copied. If you're a visual learner, looking up or creating your own charts, graphs, and diagrams might help you the best. Check out this site for more info on the VARK system; they also have questionnaires you can take to help you find out how you best learn!
vark-learn.com/introduction-to-vark/the-vark-modalities/
I'm having mental breakdowns.
Lemme join you
Sup guys
Still a place for a new member here?
@@Unicorn2014Clever i think the awsner is yes
Kind of a wake up call :) it's funny how we need motivation to create motivational systems for ourselves
Zully Mejia you are an angel. Will you marry me?
+Rahul Dey Are you really that delusional? No one is going to marry you without actually knowing you and having been with you for a long time. She does not even know you.
+nar3sas He's an Indian.. What else do you expect??
@@rahuldey66 such a desperate guy
Not only am I uncapable of doing the ground work, I just don't want to.
We're on the same boat fam. I don't know what i should do in my case.
+Angry Toast You're not alone. lol
Angry Toast but you're asian so motivation should come naturally to you!!
Reading these comments cheer me up cuz im a lazy ass bitch !✌😪😧
@@xXAnni3LuvsYhuXx good joke. It doesn't.
I get real motivated to do my shit every single time the term starts but it just starts to dwindle and I always go back to just slothing around. Hate that i do this but it JUST HAPPENS. idunno man, nobody else has this problem?
Thanks for this video though, I'll keep the tips in mind!
HAHA! me too... 😂😢
i have the same problem. :(
same same full of excitment at the beggining of anything ...or while planing for it then the shit happens and i lose all the passion
Just keep reminding yourself of this as you progress throughout the semester
颖祺黄 You won't get there just with motivation. motivation is what gets u started habits are what gets u there
Ayyy procrastination party!!
***** it's killing us all o: slowly and painfull D:
I'm a 28 year old single mom just going back to college and I been doing homework for the past couple of days I'm feeling overwhelmed I'm trying my best to stay on top of it just need to be more focused and motivated. Thanks for sharing this.
I appreciate you. My mom went thru the same thing. Good luck.
Y okay
Nothing really is going to help you to motivate yourself except you....not this video not anything else.
Shower...early in the morning..then study or chose a quite place with a desk...reorganize your desk your room...but the thing begins really with you if you are not willing to study nothing will motivate you.....I got finals wish me luck.
I have mine in March. I'm freakin out. All the best to you . I guess its too late to say that thou lol
xoxo 2412 Thank you, don't worry I'm always having exams.
I have it tomorrow morning and I am still watching videos.
Thanks
I realized, it's not the motivation that sustains you. IT's discipline. Sadly, discipline is so elusive.
I find it hard to get started on tasks because I want to do well, and that makes me so anxious that I end up procrastinating a lot. How can I help motivate myself to get started anyway, when the reason I don't start is that I'm scared, rather than laziness?
I don't know what happened to me man. I used to be really an ambitious person and i tried so hard i had goles that i wanted to achieve and i just got up and did it. People were always telling me how i try too hard and that im forcing myself too much but i just wanted to be good and commit to something. Even when i was having a really tough time with depression i still tried and kept my grades up. I wrote songs and shit took guitar class i was really being productive and applying myself. But now i just cant get anything done. I don't see the point of it i just feel like life isn't worth trying for. I have prom exams today in about 4 hours and my insomnia is keeping me up and here i am watching this instead of studying. God im so worthless sometimes i wish i was never born man its not like I'm being useful or doing anything with my life man....
I feel exactly the same right now but true help can only come from ourselves. You can do it :)
Thea Capuyan Yeah i know that im the person who is supposed to change things but im just so tired of fighting and losing you know. Its not like i have a bad life i got a girlfriend friends a family but i still have this feeling of despair that follows me all the time like a shadow in the darkness. I just cant get rid of it.
This is me and I’m willingly trying to get back on grind but I just cant
I feel the same..
I’d love to follow up with you dude, see how you’ve been
At half speed, he sounds so wasted lol
+MrGoodbye23 I think anyone would sound wasted at that speed
Arjun Rajput lmao..
This is fantastic
MrGoodbye23 Try it on lots of channels, WatchMojo sounds high af
Donald Trump wdym, he’s saying all the same words
''it s very easy to get 5 dollars'' well how the fuck do you get 5 dollars every single day then share that wisdom
Needing $5 every day would imply that you failed every day. The point of putting money on the line is to make the cost of failure less attractive than simply doing the work. Using my wake-up system as an example - I never once failed to wake up on time, partly as a result of money being on the line. The money is a deterrent; ideally you should never lose it.
Additionally, the dollar amount is not what needs to be focused on here. If you choose to use money as a motivator, adjust the amount you use to suit your personal situation. Or use another consequence, such as getting an accountability partner and telling them you'll do their laundry for a month if you fail.
Now that sounds like a good plan. Hopefully I don't fail to wake up on time, I don't like doing laundry for other people.
Stop being rude Thomas frank is a lot beter than you will ever be.
You don't know him now do you ?
If you want someone to stop being rude to others...then you should start with yourself
"You want to get motivated so create systems that force motivation"
"I can tell you're not WILLING to create these systems"
If someone has the WILLPOWER/motivation to create a system that forces motivation/discipline in the first place, they already have the traits that would allow them to be motivated regardless. I think there's a deeper problem at hand when people are unable to get motivated that is almost certainly mental. Whether it's poor health, unacknowledged trauma negatively affecting mental state, or something else, the fact someone would even be able to "make a system" means it's more complimentary to their already positive attributes than something an unmotivated person would need to do to get motivated.
I'm an academic dean. Developing your own, or borrowing other's, systems in order to motivate oneself to get things done is a great method to be successful in whatever endeavors you select. Thanks Thomas! I'm sharing with my advising staff and faculty.
Or, you could just develop some will power. You have to be very careful about using negative motivation strategies. These will work for a while, but the additional stress will eventually lead to burn-out and failure. Positive incentives can also be tricky because they can lead to unhealthy addictive or obsessive behavior. Eventually your reward will become much more important to you than the fruits of your labor, and you'll end up doing things for the wrong reasons.
Decide what you want, then stay focused on getting it.
what about for the poeple who can't generate the will power to do the work?
All these comments are 3 or 4 years ago , but im just here because of quarantine .
You know when you're motivated to study, then your parents tell you to go study, and you lose your motivation. XD
True
8 weeks away from my GCSE Exams (End of school exams in the UK) and I haven't started yet. This video helps, thanks!
same.
I CAN'T study.
EXAMS started this week.
I am HOPELESS. I try, but CAN'T.
WHAT IS THIS.......IS THIS MY FATE?
ME TOOO IF I STUDY FORCEFULLY IW ILL BREAK INTO TEARS OR GO INSANE
you guys arent alone... i havent been reading anything this year, and this week the final exams started and i want to start studying so i wont stay in the same year but i just cant get myself to and tomorrow i have an exam but i just cant read i feel like ill go insane i want someone to help me mentally and also help me do my homework because when im alone i cant study im so scared i wont have time and i want to start reading now but i cant force myself too and im so scared ill stay in the same year this is all so f*cked up
Dancella it’s honestly hell because your stuck feeling this way it’s terrible :(
@@angelinaa8004 yes its hell but i cannot escape it :')
@@Dancella did you succeed?
I watched this video last semester and I think it may have helped. I know I procrastinated a lot watching your videos but overall I learned and used what worked for me.
But one problem with this video.
Last semester this Video might of helped me but this whole semester I've been dealing with Depression...
No matter how much you fight this it's mentally impossible to continuously fight yourself for motivation or create it.
As amazing as you are at helping us all overcome issues we create our self and obstacles of life (specifically for most college)
I truly Hope you do a Video on dealing with Depression and other disorders such as ADHD, ADD, Dyslexia, ect. You're truly great at what you do and these topics could be a whole series on your channel. Thanks for the hard work we truly appreciate the advice.
+Bsalais15 With regards to ADHD check out Drs John Ratey and Edward Hallowell book Delivered From Distraction.
When there are multiple challenges to deal with and depression is in the mix, then I recommend you try to get professional help.
Good luck!
+Bsalais15 Yeah Dealing with the same - ADHD, depression and insomnia but don't have the option of insurance,money and all that jazz to get traditional help. I take l-theanine, Vitamin D&K, fish oil, exercise and motivation app(Forest and Habita). Might get a MJ card to see if it's helpful. Also? I think about the past and I can't go back .Depression is the bitch that stole mths & years from my life. So annoying! I can't keep hitting reset on my education and life. So? I'm gonna suck it up and do what I need to do.
I think i may be dealing with the same thing.. Damn
Awareness for mental disorders like depression, ADD, ADHD and such need to be raised !! :(
Bsalais15 WHOOP you just described my entire last 3 years of school. youre not alone, man. depression is confusing as hell and impossibly hard to battle sometimes. as a student, or as someone wih a job or carrer, it makes things worse. *laughs mechanically while sitting on my ass and needs to shower but hasnt in days because of depression*
What if you're sad and unable to get out of bed but keep assignments piling up and you need to study for exams that are around the corner.
I lost motivation and i failed at school then i started watching these videos and i got motivated and entered the medical school and studied hard and now im a 4th year medical student :)
I'm so unmotivated in life, that I am too lazy to do any of your tips to better myself. There's no help for me😔
"I have no motivation to motivate myself to motivate myself" - Olivia Hesson 2017 -
Welp this sound like me, but my problem is way bigger for who ever want to read my piece of life right there.
*BIG SHORT STORY* : I spent 3 years fighting depression at the age of 13-16 it's been 7 months since I'm out of it and I'm starting again to lose all my will to do anything. Back in the day I used to say "It is better to feel neutral than feel sad" but what if feeling neutral make you sad? It's a vicious circle and it never end for me. My self-conciousness and my ambitiousness are pretty low like extremely low. I have ONE goal in life and I'm not doing enough to reach it. But I know myself, when I'll reach it what will motivate me? _Nothing..._ That's right! I can never get enough of whatever I like. After a couple day/week/month Im already out of energy for that one thing I loved...And it is back to searching another meaning of life. But then again, that is just my perfectionist side it isn't really a huge problem. The problem I have is the WILL I want to be different. You can interprete this message as a "help letter" this is pretty much how I see it. I mean the only thing I am asked TO DO without a choice is going to school yet again last year I missed without valid reasons half school days and this year I started and I'm finishing the year with missing days...I dont see a meaning behind all this. I want to grow up but I'm afraid of responsabilities...
So yeah that's uuh my message after watching this video I'm still not motivated.
Satanic Angel omg that is me right now, please tell me what to do in order to get out
Not very helpful. Basically, you say 'one has to be motivated in order to motivate themselves'. Obviously, there is not enough motivation to do that to begin with. This is like a person with $0 being told to invest their money so they can make more money. They obviously have no money to do that
Kintrap Great straw-man argument. Money and motivation are DEFINITELY the same.
they aren't the same he was just making a connection
totally agree
Great point. Building a system to help you is more important than relying on motivation alone. Subbed
lol ive only realized at the end of the video that i havent been paying attention for the last three minutes xD
The problem I have with motivation is that so get really overwhelmed and feel like I can't even start these tasks. That I'm too tired. Exhausted. Even if I've had my full 8 hour sleep
This vid was very cool. I motivate myself by watching some of the cool course I really really want to do. That is my focus. MIT OCW 8.04.
I have to study heaps to meet the prerequisite. Most of Maths & then Physics 1 & 2.
I work on easier Maths problems when I feel frazzled. This really helps, I can always bring myself to do that for 10 mins (& then I'm enjoying it). I usually get bored & then focus on the tougher bits, but even if I don't, I did some work towards my goal.
Find that time after which you can keep going: I'm giving it my all for 10 mins with NO distractions.
Focus on WHY: I'm doing this for my 8.04 course, which will be off the charts FUN!!!!
Dont rely on motivation to do your work because like any other emotion,sadness or happiness, it doesnt last forever.
Instead build solid systems to automate what needs to be done on a daily basis.
Atomation is more powerful and effective than you think.
Shoaib Salim Yes, that's how I see it too. But I don't like, that my own laziness is making me basically buying into a lie too. "I CAN'T DO MATHS''. That's dumb, why? Like 1+2 is difficult or something? Nawwww... ;-)
And the other: 8.04 do you want this? My answer is YES every time! then go and do what get's you there!
Boom!
This one is so timely. Thanks!!
"The pain or discomfort of not doing what is supposed you are to be doing has not been great enough that you have decided to make a change in your life."
wooohh..amazing.
Unfortunately, for me these systems are not a source of motivation, at least not making you feel good and excited to do something. But forced to do it. So, what I was looking for was a way of feeling motivated and willing to do what I have to do. Something that would show me the importance to my consciousness of doing it. Does anyone have an idea on that?
+Renata Mirelly hello renata. same for me... i got the impression these systems are too forced, idk... but there is a thought or a mindset that can make me do things, which is "there is nothing in this world that would make me less happy than knowing that i didnt achieve what i wanted because i didnt do my best". That scares me and keeps me going... ahahhahahah
I think the issue becomes, that we motivate ourselves enough for a week, or two weeks or even a month and after that it sort of dissipates. And you use all the techniques you have learnt all this while from productivity and motivational gurus yet you feel so lonely slipping up, among this crowd of positive people.
Once in a while we'd just wanna be around someone who is going through the same thing.
Hey y'all I'm here in my backyaaaaaaard
Thank you for saying it outloud! I am really interested in videos and articles about motivation, but its true that in the end the only video you need is the "Just do it" fire guy Shia LaBeouf. People search for new motivational and productivity vids to find some path that would be easy and would make them dodge the resistance and make them felt the same way during work as during mindless scrolling through social media. Thats not gonna happen, guys. JUST DO IT! Or dont, but dont cry about it.
Thomas, you're an intelligent person and I appreciate this video a lot. Keep it up mate. I need more damn discipline. I'm supposed to be doing 3 assignments which have all been extended for legitimate reasons... It's 3am, I'm going to go to the gym first, then I'll try again at like 5 or 6am........ dude - reasons and excuses are synonymous, I just need to bloody focus man...
Husein A hey man! The minute you finish reading this, pick the highest-priority assignment and do a 25-minute Pomodoro session on it. Don't do anything else until that's finished. I think you'll make some good progress :)
I completely agree with forcing yourself to do something. I discovered this last year and it has worked and is still working well for me.
who's here during coronavirus lockdown :(
I found that it helps when you just break thing down. Usually people cant be bothered doing things because the task seems to be paramount. However, just doing something simple like a plan consisting of dot points, can really boost your motivation.
no matter how far I try. i just can't sit in the chair for long. even if I turn off my phone, I just move around here and there wasting time. I JUST CAN'T GETTING SERIOUS. I only gets serious on the last hours left for the test. I JUST CANNOT DO IT THOMAS . Help
soumyadeep majumdar I HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I should be studying right now. And tomorrow morning I have a test. I already know I will get up early ass hell, study for about an hour. and be half asleep all day. This happens everytime... I am just not stressed for it at all, untill the last few hours.
@@Martin-ki8jv why am i 2 years late to find you all
@@Dancella Aight so this was two years ago and I have changed a bit. I still have problems with getting motivated to do something but I realized that that motivation will probably never come.
The only time I am motivated is when I genuinly like an activity or, I know it will have benefit. Obviously doing homework has its benefits but the reward (graduating) takes a long time to get to you, so its hard to see that reward.
Basicly all you need is discipline. Trust me if you are in high school right now and have zero motivation it probably will never come, because let's be real, most of those subjects are boring to you.
You just have to do it. Force yourself to do it. Make sure there are no distractions around you and get to work. Now there are several ways to go about this, I for instance like using the 30/30 method. So I study for half an hour, and take a break for half an hour.
It works so well that often I forget the time and end up studying an hour untill I feel like I need a break. But there are other methods for studying. Find the one you like the most.
Hope this helps.
@@Martin-ki8jv Thank you. I'm first year high school and I feel like everything there is so uninteresting and boring, even when I try to force myself, sit on my desk and turn on the lights after 5 minutes I end up in my phone. I don't think it's going to be easy, I never get anxious about an exam but right before it starts and I end up failing because I know nothing.
Everything now seems so difficult. Exams are starting tomorrow, now its 12 o'clock at night, I know nothing and tomorrow morning I'm having an exam. Well, I'll try my best for the next exam. Still, thank you, you helped me a lot.
for me the best way to motivate myself is to create this mindset that if i dont study or do the stuff I should do i feel really guilty. The way I create this is to make a plan, study plan for example, and if I dont proceed in that plan, i have failed myself.
When I was reading for last falls big big tests, I decided to start in july (the test was 16.9) 36h/week. This spring im applying for medschool and I have to start reading again, partly already have. I have decided that when the school ends im reading 8h/day, i like to think that the reading is my job. All it takes is to make routine and stick to it, also u have to really think what u want to achieve . This helps u to really realize how much work u have to do to get on the needed level.
The best feeling is to know that YOU gave it all you had!
HE LOOKS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOODDDDDDDDDD
Motivation in my opinion a choice and you must understand especially for studying that you are so LUCKY to be able to access and obtain an education. If we take time for gratitude motivation will come along with that
I’m watching this instead of studying.
The irony is real.
I have watched like 12 videos on motivation so for and they are all like "BE MOTIVATED!" This is the first one that actually gave me something I could do rather than saying to just suck it up. I like this video!
I could barely get through a special ed high school. I ended up in the psych ward for trying to kill myself to get out of it. How the hell my going to college. Way to many people, i'm not good at socializing with people I'm very very bad at writing essays and I just hate it. I try to do better and I don't what's the point. Schooling has always made me very upset and depressed and stressed me out. I don't see the point of going to college if it's gonna make me get upset
Anthony Passaro try an online college where you can take one class at a time.
Great video as always! :)
What struck me the most from this video is
"The pain or discomfort of not doing what you are supposed to be doing has not yet become great enough that you decide to make a change in your life. "
This reminds me of one of Tony Robbins' videos, he said something along the line, but as far as I remember, the video didn't mention HOW to make the pain stronger and/or so strong that it will keep you going every single time.
There were several points in my life where I felt like, "I have had enough. I need to make a change. I need to change." but that motivation is often just a short push. It might keep me going for a few days, and then I just go back to the "eh" mode.
Maybe, this might boil down to how do you become so self-discipline that you can always get work done? It is the "keep on doing" part that often gets me. I have lists, plans, but the follow through rate is often good at the beginning, and then falls to zero.
Thank you for all you do!
But how do you create a system that forces you to do things more complex than waking up? Twitter can't recognize that you've studied for an exam....
+Fourteen Lines not sure if it'll help now but tell your friends if I dont score get 90% or more then I'll pay you $5. Or same thing with homework and send them pictures of it. Tell me how you study, I might help you out even though I'm younger then you
+Jon Trollston As an engineering student I'd be even more broke and it would cause extra stress.
Killartist3
Well I guess you're out of luck for these conventional methods. You can try a self-reward system but if you manipulate it then just leave it. Hey, you're an engineering student and engineers are supposed to be innovating, intellectual, and so much passionate about building things then other people... I guess..... All you need to do is study harder or more efficiently
Any time I find myself distracted by something that prevents me from studying, I force myself to do 10 push ups. I know it sounds lazy, but 10 push ups is enough for me to go back to studying.
i think i was learning my life lessons from the wrong person
homer Simpson
I really like this channel. The titles are sometimes clickbait (but that's what you have to do to run a successful channel on youtube), but the content is always real. Nothing he says is extremely difficult or easy -it's practical, and sometimes really boring, but that's how it is sometimes. Doing work is never glamorous, and usually not fun, but all the videos are options we can take to make starting work more tolerable and routine so we can enjoy the obvious benefits work itself has in our lives. The number of videos you have on this topic is really impressive too. Half of them don't really 'work' for me, but you have so much out there anyone in any career or area of study can benefit. Thanks!
why does Anatomy have to suck so bad?
There is way worst than anatomy
+NERD IT UP Because you need to learn everything by rote. Just like a poem.
ok. 4 videos staright in. I never procastinate and love working. But I took a break of 10 days after a whole 366 days and everything went so high that I am dying to push myself to get back to the work. I was slightly working during those 10 days too and had so much planned when I get back from that trip. But even the slightest motivation was lost, no idea why. The trip was the best one too yet I am totally depressed for no reason. Well thanx. I kinda got my 10% motivation and rest I am able to fill it. I am a motivator too on IG and YT :)
Gonna start my day nicely back as I should tomorrow.
Thanx thomas
Hey Thomas! Great video
Just wandering what camera and lens do you use to record your videos?
Thanks!
+LGT - Let's Grow Together thanks! I use a Canon 70D and a Sigma f/1.8 lens.
hey i just wanted to ask you that do you get self motivated
These videos are like a god send ! I'm preparing to start my first year at my university and I wanted to see what I could do to avoid the same procrastinating train wreck that I went through while in community college. Your tips are so simple but very effective. Cant wait to receive the link to your book. :)
I'm sorry but you're telling me that, as a college student, this kid should still be willing to give out five dollars to everyone who responds to a tweet? Have you ever been a college student? Five dollars is food for the day sometimes.
Focus on the principle, not the amount of money. If $1 is significant to you, use that. Or don't use money at all - bet a friend you'll do their laundry for a month if you fail.
Tim Cook wouldn't find $5 to be very motivating either - he'd probably need to use $5 million. The key with any example is to apply the principle to your specific conditions.
One habit I discovered that works for me is creating rituals. After reading books on procrastination and managing energy i realized the importance of rituals, like Tom said that creating an everyday system like his morning routine helps get up in the morning. That system "ritual" is a motivation in itself. I found it easier that now that I have a morning ritual I know exactly what I have to do and it's harder for me to talk myself out of doing it becouse the plan is already laid out for me. Psychologist say that if you really want to make a habit stick like studying or working out to make a everyday ritual and incorporate it into your everyday life that way you don't have to think about doing it just becomes second nature. Hope this helps!
When you're fkin depressed and you can't do your only major you like. >.>
Thomas!
Great video! Your thoughts were very clear & concise, and what you said is the absolute truth. It takes a lot of guts to face ourselves and say do it now or pay for it later with consequences I do not want.
I have been out of school for the most part for 20 years, except a few classes here and there. I made the transition to become a full time student last year. I have struggled more than I ever thought I would. I have at times thought maybe I wouldn't get the information being presented. I have procrastinated. But never, ever in my mind have I consider quitting. Due to some health issues I have I realized it will take me longer than the average student to finish. But, I will finish. It will be more work for me, but I am willing to do it. I've gotten to the point where my desire for a degree is stronger than anything else.
My point is I am willing to work around my shortfalls, just like you said in this video. Its really hard, and it is challenging beyond words for me, but like you said, we must be willing to put in the work!
Your video is on point!!
Please keep them coming, because I learn a lot from you!
I came here after googling,"I CANT STUDY ANYMORE."
My problem is I don’t have any real big external motivator, and the one that would be able to motivate me is unlikely to exist. I don’t really value money that much, don’t really care about Twitter public opinion, and don’t have a person that I would trust to share/help me with this burden. I just understand that I need to suck it up without actually trying my best to achieve it, because I am not used to mentally push myself.
Man I could use an irl battle pass system but I don’t think I will get anything like that.
Thomas frank : did you ever take the sat ???
I took the ACT, which is very similar to the SAT these days.
Thomas Frank can you give me some tips on how to pass this type of exam?
leila try doing practice on Khan academy. just Google Khan academy SAT practice. it's an awesome free program that has 6 full length practice tests and a simple and easy practice plan that will give you 20 math or reading questions every day that focus on the topics you need the most help on. I saw my scores increase a lot using Khan academy regularly. I hope you find it helpful and good luck.
You give sage advice, I am unfortunately (currently) a massive procrastinator, partly due to serious ill health which causes tiredness, but I am fed up with using that as an excuse and am wanting to kick start my motivation again. I have a part time job so I have no real excuse as why I can't get things done in between my work days.
After listening to this video, the point I want to make is, maybe instead of trying to think of the negative consequences to not doing something we should practise positive thinking towards small manageable and easy to achieve tasks, I think part of the reason that many people procrastinate is that we constantly put ourselves into a negative mood with the idea that we will fail at something because we have procrastinated in the past and that we label ourselves as such, ultimately pullin our motivation down, I am going to look into how to form positive thinking habits as I think it would be a great idea to have positive incentives. I am unwilling (because I am on minimum wage) to put myself at financial risk (or certainly until I have built up my confidence that I can form new positive habits). I know I need to have more confidence in myself and I am seeking advice from such people as yourself to help, which after watching only a few of your videos I must thank you for, keep up the great videos, I love them :)
I'd rather die than do school.
I love how straight up this is. It's so true. You gotta be willing to put the time and energy into doing something. It's not just motivation, it's discipline. Making the decision to do whatever it takes.
You're a motivation to study. You're so cute :) Thank you for the video
I watched this some time ago but at that time didn’t really need the advice. Now, I found myself being unable to even want focus at all in my studies and remembered this video. After rewatching it I think I thought of something helpful. So thank you so much for making this video!
I’ve always been the kind of person you can’t force to do anything or I’ll do absolutely everything in my power to not do what’s ”asked” of me. So threatening myself with even worse consequences than the bad end result just won’t work with me. Yet, without realizing it, that’s exactly what I’ve been trying to do: force myself. Now I figured this is what’s been eating away my motivation to do stuff I love (studying as one them). so, I’m going to try a different approach. Thank you again for this video!
Those 182 dislikes lost their life 👀
they are 198 now lmao
Asma BTS_ELF nah they got F-
I watched this at 2am on the night of my exam... subbed to this channel for next year x)
Well lucky me I have an exam in 2hours and I’m wasting time on this
How did it go?
When I've finally got myself to do something, I've never regretted it; I actually felt great about myself.
So I always remind myself of that when I am reluctant to do something.
I hate myself
Good job Tom! I just want to send you some positivity. I have to commend you on 1) doing what you think is important despite it being seemingly abstract for many people, 2) seeking to help people and being genuine and real, 3) trying to do a good job. I value this approach and our generations' forward and pragmatic thinking. I think the problem described here is great as it points out that we are human and prone to certain barriers that are difficult to understand and confront in our current society. The issue I have is that you suggest it is a matter of willpower. The issue is that we feel like we don't have control over our lives. "I wish I could bring myself to do it, but I just can't, and I don't know why." Part of behavior change requires creating an easily doable plan of action.
I think what you could try and do is create a short first steps for helping someone to learn how to be self-motivated. I don't know how experienced you feel about this, but it doesn't really matter, you already talk about what you do! It has to be simple and short and even though it might not work for everyone, the goal is to have something that can provide people with a easy sense of control. I'm not an expert and neither has all the answers, but you do provide some great tools and can potentially simplify things further for those who are just depressed and hopeless and have lost willpower and control! (Maybe you do have this, and in that case, I have yet to find it, but I am just throwing this out there because it is cathartic to write my thoughts). PEACE.
this video is distracting me
this was a real hard wake up call for me and it made some excellent points, now its just a matter of finding consequences or rewards that will really motivate me and really sticking to it.
I’ve found a solution: just drop out
this was very helpful, thank you!
I fluctuate. Sometimes i have the motivation to di the things, other time i dont.. I am trying meditation these days. it heps me control my thoughts - i know when my mind start wandering and i can at that precise moment decide weather or not to go with the train of thoughts. I do have a system of motivation. Watching thomas videos keeps me motivated :) sometimes i forget to watch them and find myself in disappointment. Read it somewhere - motivation is like bathing - we require it daily. Your system is awesome thomas. Thanks a ton. Though in my case o an required to study 12 hrs a day. Thats the only single task for the next 30 dats... Please help thomas :) thanks. You rock.
Your youtube channel is very underrated, I have been watching you since 2017 and I have learned allot from your journey to become a better learner and try different ways to get up and motivate yourself throughout the day. As a graduated student I can say that the methods I learned here were very effective and sometimes life is just a scattered bunch of randomness that we have to create a system for in order to study and get things done before the deadlines
so I'm about to go back to college this Fall to get a different degree, my first one was in Anthropology, this one will be in computer science.
Here's my coping methods:
-Split my sleep up into 2 polyphasic sleep times. usually 4 hours from 6pm-10pm, and 4 hours from 4am-8am. at 8am I would wake up, go to classes, and then come home around 4, eat dinner, then go to sleep by 6. I liked this because for one, I hate sleep, It's always been the most frustrating need my body has. The second thing it did was it actually removed that 6pm-10pm time I might normally go waste time doing something--that's prime socialization time so by 10pm, everyone's winding down for the night and I can go quietly do my homework, the study rooms are usually less busy, etc.
-Set times between classes during the day to do work, usually a full day or two ahead of time I would do my homework, especially math homework because if I waited until the day off, the amount of people doing it at the last minute would overload the school servers and it would take forever to finish simple work. So, 2-3 days ahead of time usually gave me plenty of time to get help if I needed it, but also finish it well before the school servers had an issue. That time between classes I was usually in focus mode, so I'd go to a school computer lab, removing myself from my dorm room, which my brain saw as a play area rather than a work area. Removing myself from my dorm room, forcing myself to be in a school computer lab, and then I would work on my assignments there. Most college classes have an online homework element anyways, so I might as well get those done, work on papers/or whatever while I'm out of my dorm and in work mode.
I've been subscribed to you since you had 2,000 subscribers and it's so cool to see how you're account has grown
i also find that working out in the morning, before going to uni (or school) helps me get motivated, a long with some other things.
This video came at a perfect time, I was about to quit on studying for my ACT for today. Really helped me get back on track, thanks :)
Good lord, you're pure genius. Now I understand that I haven't done everything I possibly could've to improve my life in the long run... THANKS FOR THE GREAT VIDEO THOMAS :)