How to motivate yourself when you worry about wasting efforts?

ONE SMALL SHIFT YOU CAN DO TO OVERCOME THAT

Are you spending time on something you truly want to do? If not, you are wasting your precious effort.

If yes, there is no wastage because EVERY EFFORT IS A GAIN.

Every time you put some effort into pursuing your goal, you are making a commitment to yourself and signalling to yourself to honour your needs. 

And during the process, you'll LEARN and GROW through hands-on experience. That will build your capability for future success, one way or another.

When we want to try something new or something most people haven't seen success with yet, we often hear a doubting voice saying "it's a waste of effort."

It could be from others, but the loudest one is from our own mind.

WHY DO WE HAVE THIS COMMON DOUBT?

We are trained by a world that heavily celebrates outcome-based success.

When we were growing up at home, we celebrated when we achieved a milestone, having a newborn baby or getting married.

When we were studying at school, we celebrated when someone was selected as a prefect, someone achieved a school award, someone won an inter-school competition.

Later when we started working, we heard celebrations for promotions, business goals achievements, and winning industry award.

It seems the only thing that deserves to be celebrated and recognised is the OUTCOME, the winning.

But is it the full picture?

ATHLETES HANDLE THIS BETTER, BUT NOT ALWAYS

Many professional athletes have an intensive training regimen. 

Their coaches know what works best for them and design one that balances emotional, mental, and physical fitness. These athletes are trained in an environment where they recognise the importance of progress.

During their training, they wake up early to go to the training centre and eat weight-control meals. They practice drills for hours and keep improving.

They know clearly that they do not get a gold medal IMMEDIATELY.

By training, they develop a deeper understanding that their efforts are not wasted during any practice.

Yet, when they are in competition, they also fall for the voice that says efforts are wasted if they cannot win.

That tells us the voice does not come from us. It comes from the environment and stories surrounding us.

THE INVISIBLE SUCCESS THAT ARE NOT HIGHLIGHTED

Just because you are not seeing immediate results DOES NOT MEAN there are no results.

Just because society heavily celebrates the final outcome as success DOES NOT MEAN progress in any journey is not a success.

Ask professional athletes and their coaches. They know how crucial it is.

Everyone hears and feels fear about the voice "wastage of effort."

Acknowledge its existence and understand it's merely a perception and not a fact, because every effort is a gain.

Say thank you and keep going to enjoy the successes of your progress while pursuing what you truly want.

HOW CAN YOU OVERCOME IT?

We cannot control how society celebrates success, but we can control how we celebrate it.

To start recognising your own progress, you can begin tracking them on a piece of paper or a digital file.

Or do it on a wall to make them BOLD and OBVIOUS.

You can also take it to the next level by adding rewards like having a specialty coffee or a nature walk to really appreciate your efforts.

That will show how much progress you have made and keep you motivated.

Having the "wastage of effort" thought is normal yet unhelpful, especially when we are pursuing something we truly want.

It's more helpful to ignore it like a notification on the phone and continue to focus working towards your goal.

Hope this article inspires you. If it does, do share with others because

~ WE RISE BY LIFTING OTHERS ~