[found on time.com; by Eric Barker]

 

“You make goals… but then you procrastinate.

You write a to-do list… but then you don’t follow through.

And this happens again and again and again. Seriously, what’s the problem?

Why are we so good at thinking of what to do but so terrible at actually doing those things?

The problem is you’re skipping an essential step. Here’s what it is….

Productivity systems rarely take emotions into account. And feelings are a fundamental and unavoidable part of why humans do what they do.

We can’t ignore our emotions. Because of the way our brains are structured, when thought and feelings compete, feelings almost always win.

And we can’t fight our feelings. Research shows this just makes them stronger….

We need to think to plan but we need to feel to act.

So if you’ve got the thinking part out of the way – how do you rile up those emotions and get things done?

 

Get Positive

When do we procrastinate the most? When we’re in a bad mood.

 

Get Rewarded

Rewards feel good. Penalties feel bad. And that’s why they both can work well for motivating you.

 

Research shows that rewards are responsible for three-quarters of why you do things.

 

Get Peer Pressure

Surround yourself with people you want to be and it’s far less taxing to do what you should be doing.”

 

To read the rest of the motivating article from Eric Barker, and add his knowledge to your toolbox, click HERE.

 

[found on http://time.com/2933971/how-to-motivate-yourself-3-steps-backed-by-science/]