Feeling demotivated is something that can happen to anyone at any time. But it is possible to activate your motivation factors and get back on track.
We are going to consider what contributes to demotivation. It’s helpful to understand it but we don’t want to leave you there.
Some tips from the experts have been gathered to help you and there are practical things you can do to support yourself. You can develop the skill of recognizing when you feel demotivated and shifting to a more positive outlook.
What is Demotivation?
Demotivation is a lack of motivation, often caused by boredom or apathy.
According to the Cambridge dictionary, ‘demotivated’ means feeling less interested in and enthusiastic about your work. However, we know it can also be related to anything where you use motivation. Not just work!
Demotivation can be an effective enemy of success. Whether it’s your fitness or health, it can undermine all your progress. If you don’t take the time to figure out why you feel like that, then demotivation can be difficult to beat.
What Can Cause You To Feel Demotivated?
There are some ways to identify this and its causes.
Apathy can be a major demotivating factor
When we don’t care about something, it’s difficult to find the motivation to do it. This can often be the case with fitness.
We may have periods when we do not care about our health or appearance. The temptation is to avoid the gym or not take care of our food intake.
Boredom can lead to feeling demotivated
If we’re not interested in what we’re doing, or we’re feeling weary of tedious repetition, it’s a sign of boredom.
We all know how hard it can be to find the motivation to do what we know is best. This is often why people give up on their goals or resolutions
Other Causes of Becoming Demotivated
There was a recent poll done for the Pew Research Center. The results showed, 42% of people under the age of 50 said it’s been somewhat or very difficult for them to be inspired since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
Respondents aged 50 and older reported this same just 20% of the time, a 22 percentage point difference (businessinsider.com)
Outside of pandemics, there are many factors that can contribute to demotivation, but some of the most common include:
- A lack of clear goals or objectives
- Unreasonable expectations
- A feeling of being overwhelmed
- Negative self-talk
- A sense of isolation or loneliness
- Burnout
As you can see, there are different types of demotivation. But the most common one is when people feel like they’re stuck in a rut.
This usually means that we’re bored or apathetic towards what we’re doing. Maybe, we don’t see the point in continuing. It can be difficult to break out of this cycle.
The first step in breaking out of this cycle is to identify your triggers for demotivation. You may find this book ‘The Motivation Manifesto’ an easy place to start.
Identify Your Personal Triggers for Being Demotivated
The first step in improving motivation is to identify your personal triggers for demotivation. Once you know what causes you to feel demotivated, you can begin to work on overcoming it.
Do you tend to get demotivated when you’re bored? If so, try to find ways to make whatever you’re doing more interesting.
This could mean:
- adding a new element to your workout routine
- listening to music or podcasts while you exercise
- reading a book while you’re on the elliptical
- going out for a long walk in nature
Do you get demotivated when you feel like you’re not making progress? If so, try setting smaller goals that are more achievable.
For example, instead of trying to lose 20 pounds, aim to lose five pounds. Or, instead of aiming to run a marathon, try to run a half marathon.
Do you get demotivated when you feel like you’re not good enough? If so, try focusing on the process instead of the outcome.
For example, instead of worrying about how fast you’re running, focus on running with good form. Or, instead of worrying about how much weight you can lift, focus on lifting with proper form.
Maybe it’s something else we haven’t addressed here. But, now you are thinking about it and recognising what is triggering your demotivated. It’s time to pen to paper and think about what you can do.
Ways to Create A Plan That Helps
Now, it’s time to create a plan to overcome feeling demotivated. Ask yourself some questions about what you can and cannot do.
If you don’t enjoy a certain task, can you delegate it to someone else? Or try ways to make it more enjoyable for you?
If your work environment is demotivating, is there anything you can do to change it? Have a conversation with your boss about creating a more inspiring workspace.
When it comes to your health and fitness plans shake things up.
- Start taking a supplement that will help your brain to focus.
- Work with a personal trainer for a few months and see if accountability makes a difference.
- Get a new fitness plan so you’re doing different exercises with various intensities.
- Join a group and see if you can buddy up with someone for mutual encouragement.
Take Action and Don’t Give Up!
Making a plan is one thing, but taking action is what will make a difference. It’s important to be persistent and not give up when things get tough. Remember why you’re doing this in the first place!
If you find yourself getting demotivated, take a step back and try to figure out what’s causing it. Sometimes it helps to talk about it with someone else because they can help you see things better. Don’t feel like you have to do it alone.
Once you know what your triggers are, you can begin to work on overcoming them. And finally, don’t forget to persevere. Don’t give up when things get tough!
Take Small Steps Toward Your Goal – Don’t Attempt To Do It All At Once
And finally, celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small they may be. This will help you stay motivated and focused on the goals for your health and wellness.
So there you have it! These are some tips for how to stop feeling demotivated and use motivation factors to be more positive.
It’s important to understand what is causing your demotivation. Don’t let it get out of hand, it’s worth the effort to find a solution.
