Sooner or later, you’ll be in a position to have to motivate yourself. This will absolutely be the case when you’re between jobs. There’s no boss around when you don’t have a job. We’ll get to this in a bit.
We’re so used to having someone push us. It starts with dads and moms, then the baton gets passed somewhat to teachers, coaches, band directors and youth pastors. These are the early “motivators.”
Once you’re in college, you’re in a transition period, and the self-motivation needs to start kicking in or your whole career will be jeopardized. Many college kids don’t realize this. Staying at the task is second in importance to selecting the right career to go into, and thus the right college major.
…Regardless of who’s breathing down your neck, you need to be producing without the constant goading of a boss or supervisor.
I’ve found that regardless of who’s breathing down your neck, you need to be producing without the constant goading of a boss or supervisor. They are there for direction, clarification and information, but be your own boss! You should be smart enough to know what’s expected from you. If you don’t know ask.
Each and everyday, meet with yourself to lay out the day. Retreat with yourself periodically to lay out a plan. Review yourself for progress before it’s too late. In my latest meeting with myself (May 20, 2020), I resolved (in writing) to have a “bias for action,” to “let the chips fall where they may,” or in the popular vernacular, to acknowledge, “it is what it is,” and to “head ’em off at the pass,” the ‘em being anyone with the potential to hold me accountable.
I’ve always adhered to this Bible verse in my work life. Talk about accountability!
23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. Colossians 3:23-24 (NAS)
But besides this, I’m constantly talking to myself and to God to stay motivated to do my work, knowing that, “the sluggard does not plow after the autumn, so he begs during the harvest and has nothing. Proverbs 20:4
I don’t want to be that guy!
But my heart goes out to the unemployed. Yet the message is the same. You have to keep after it! Let your predicament drive you. Let your plight motivate you. Roll up your sleeves and dive in. You might just adopt the three action points I laid out for myself as a good starting point.
Enspire U. 