What are some self help resources that have helped you to get motivated?

[Blootsie]

I'm currently in a queue to see a therapist. Looking for a little boost to stay inspired and motivated when I feel hopeless. Have always gone for the Nike "Just Do It" aproach,  as well as bettering myself for the sake of my future children that I so greatly desire. In addition to these, what are some tools or resources that have worked for you in getting inspired/motivated?  

[kenstauffer]

This book didn't motivated me (yet). It has helped me feel less anxious/worried:

Enjoy the Decline: Accepting and Living with the Death of the United States
by Aaron Clarey (Author)
 

[robert1986]

Marcus Aurelias writings called The Meditations. 

[Somewhere]

Jordan Peterson's Self Authoring Suite may be a good, low-cost preparation for therapy or even a substitute for it. It has been scientifically validated and there is some discussion on YouTube. The Future Authoring component in particular is very much about establishing motivation.

[Wuzzums]

What works for me is simple one-phrase pieces of wisdom. An example worthy of mentioning here is by Mike Cernovich (or at least he's the one I heard it from): If you won't write your own story someone else will write it for you.

[Boss]

He who has a why to live can bear almost any how. - Friedrich Nietzsche

Maybe instead of "Just do it" you can ask "Why do it?" getting motivated/inspired from the internal has always been better than anything external in my experience.

[barn]

Hi,

Thums up on Wuzzumus's, Somewhere's recommendations, will check robert1986's Marcus A. - Meditations..

Very good topic, should be pinned perhaps due to it's utility.

My two cents on the question (Well done on the therapy btw. as it's taking you closer to your own centre, one by one dissolving the problems you mentioned.) How about replacing motivation with 'incentives' as humans respond to those. I haven't met anyone in my life who doesn't. Getting to know your desires and more importantly the 'whys' takes you to a place where you rather engage in a more rational conversation with your inner self/selves (meco system) and simply work through all that life brings, consistently nourishing your self-esteem.

Willpower is essential as we do need to make an effort to progress towards our goals. Things that are easy/practised we do effortlessly, however breaking bad habits is always challenging. In order to develop willpower and constructive routines I work on my industriousness, consistency, essential foundations.

1. establish Eat-, sleep-, work/leisure- cycles and stick to them

2. meditation on the day objectively helps you to keep track (10-20mins daily)

3. make sure your inner chat towards yourself is like how a rrrreally-really virtuous good friend would support, console, cheer up, demonstrate patience, remind you of your goals and priorities.

4. Whenever you have an epiphany, realisation.. write it down, record it. You'd be surprised how much you can already give yourself if you just paid more attention and re-read it later.

5. Consider books, stories of real/imaginary people who regardless of the odds sustained their focus on the task and kept their sense of humour. One such sci-fi book is The Martian by Andy Weir

6. Don't fantasise, day-dream in wonderland but DO use your imagination, creative thinking for mapping and back-engineering your desires. Where do you want to be? Why? What would you find there that you love? What smells, sounds, wind... etc would you experience? Who would be there? How would you get there? What could you do with the things you currently have in your surroundings? ... etc.

7. Don't minimise or exaggerate and feel your feelings. M. Cernovich has several great pointers on how to extract and use the charge of anger productively. Avoid and steer clear of energy sucking individuals, loop-like activities.

 

My assumption is that once you are centered/foundations solid, you will have so much drive(knowledge of 'whys') that you will feel fired up, determined continuously.

 

Barnsley