How to Boost Your Self-Motivation Video

[Narrator] How to Boost Your Self-Motivation.

Anyone can suffer from a slump. If you feel like you've lost your mojo, try these scientifically-proven ways to reboot and get going again.

Ask why you're doing it. Psychologists discovered we're more motivated to do stuff that chimes with our inner values. To reflect why an activity is meaningful to you, ask yourself, how does this play to my strengths? Where does it fit with my beliefs? And what's in it for me?

If you're struggling to answer, think how your actions will impact those close to you. Studies show that supporting a family boosts energy levels and job performance when inner motivation is low. So if you're stuck in a rut, make a list of the people who depend on you.

Try single-tasking. When we're busy, there's the temptation to tackle everything on our To-Do List at once. But multitasking can sap your energy, and demotivate you as half-finished jobs mount up. Instead, focus on one thing at a time.

Set a timer, block out any distractions, and tick off tasks as you complete them. That way, you'll enjoy a burst of dopamine, the chemical in our brains that rewards achievement, keeps us switched on, and sparks our motivation.

Picture the good and the bad. Studies show we procrastinate when the immediate hassle of a task feels more real than long-term success. To break through the barrier, imagine how great it will feel to meet your expectations. Try picturing the consequences of not acting too. Scientists discovered, we sometimes suffer from omission bias. That's when doing nothing doesn't seem as bad as trying and failing. So play through the worst-case scenario, and inspire yourself to reach a happier ending.

Make yourself accountable. Holding yourself accountable is key to self-motivation. After setting a goal, leaders who give weekly updates are 70 percent more successful than those who keep quiet. To join them, catch up with a friend, colleague, or professional whose opinion you respect. You can chat through each other's ideas, challenges, and successes. Not only will you gain accountability, helping someone out will boost your motivation levels too.