A lot of what is written about motivation makes it sound like you always have to be pumping yourself up in some artificial way in order to want to accomplish something.  If that is true for you, you may be pursuing the wrong goals or at least the wrong activities.

Let’s start with the obvious.  You don’t have to motivate kids to go out and play.  If you do, there’s a problem.   Motivation is a naturally occurring phenomenon under the right circumstances.  That’s the motivation you need.  Anything else suggests that something basic and vital is missing.

What is it that is missing?  Something that makes the activity worthwhile for its own sake.  Natural motivation is in play when children spend all day working hard to make a fort.  They’ll work for hours digging holes with shovels and making fortifications.  Does anybody have to give them a pep talk?  They’re having fun. You shouldn’t have to give yourself one, either.

Consider the following and adjust accordingly.

1) If your motivation isn’t there automatically—naturally—it’s probably because you’re doing something someone else thinks you ought to be doing but your own heart isn’t in it.  Think about it.  Unless you are chronically depressed, and that’s no joking matter, on numerous occasions within a week you ought to be doing things for the sheer joy of doing them.

2) These things don’t require anyone else to jumpstart you.  They don’t require you to read inspirational quotes.  They don’t even require you to write affirmations and say them aloud to yourself.  I happen to think that the things I just mentioned are worthwhile.  I have done all of them—but for other useful purposes than motivation.

3) You don’t need any ju-ju or special incantations to do things you love.  You don’t need reminders but we can all use those in our busy lives.  You don’t need to be lectured to when you are inspired.  Inspiration is a natural motivator.  And love can inspire you, as can a vision, a purpose, a dream.  Even fun can inspire you to accomplish much.

4) Remember when you are having fun, you are in that creative space where risk is always involved.  When you challenge yourself for the pure pleasure of stretching yourself and putting your all on the line, you enter a new space automatically.  Motivation seen correctly is as simple as moving toward pleasure.

5) What always gives you pleasure?  What, when you do it, always leaves you feeling better?  If you are lucky, you may have a long list.  There are as many ways to be naturally motivated as there are ways to be alive.  In fact, it is the feeling of being alive and choosing, and being in the director’s chair of your own movie that is the most natural motivation of all.