A Monthly Publication

By David Woolley

DipCAH, HPD, MPNLP, CertSCS, MNCH (Reg), MNGH

I see people for a variety of different issues but the subject of motivation always comes up.  Virtually every issue I work with will require the individuals to make some changes or take action of some kind.  Inevitably this requires motivation.  This level of motivation can determine how successful the person will be.

One important function of our subconscious mind is to protect us from danger.  Very often this danger isn’t really real but our mind reacts the same way anyway.  It sounds weird to talk about our mind as having two personalities but it’s not a bad analogy.  One example could be through fear of failure.  Our conscious mind is saying “I want to lose weight.”  “I want to be slim and healthier and feel better about myself.”  The more powerful subconscious however could be arguing; “Remember how bad you felt last time you tried and failed, you actually gained weight in the end, remember how hard it was and how everyone at the gym laughed at you…”  Our subconscious is trying to protect us from this “threat” by driving the “putting things off” behaviour.  As we are not aware of what’s actually going on it simply continues.  On face value it seems that we are just lazy or will get round to it someday.  There can be more to it than that.  If you find yourselves putting things off or not getting round to something you need to do then consider the possibility that your subconscious could be trying to protect you from something.  Maybe you fear failure?  Maybe you fear success?  Maybe you just perceive the task as too hard?

Sometimes I see clients who lack motivation because deep down they really don’t want to do whatever it is they are putting off.  Maybe someone is nagging them to do it (common in smoking or weight loss) and their natural reaction is to resent being told what to do and do the opposite.  Maybe it’s the expectations of others that are a problem.  Consider the son of a builder.  His father wants him to take over the family business and he loves his father so doesn’t want to disappoint him but also he really wants to be an artist.  He is at construction college but is failing his exams and lacks motivation to study.   There are a couple of options in this sort of situation.  The builder’s son may simply have to make some difficult decisions in following that path that is right for him.  The smoker who is resisting all of the nagging is in a different situation.  Smoking is going to make them ill and is ultimately likely to kill them.  They NEED to find motivation.  They would need to look at all of the negative aspects of smoking on one hand and look at what they will gain as a result of quitting smoking on the other.  This should help them to see quitting as something that is best for them, not just what the doctor ordered!

If you have considered some of these possibilities and still seem to be making little progress on the task it may simply be that the task is too large or vague to tackle effectively.  Let’s say the task is to find a new job.  Seems simple enough but it is not something you can just go out and do.  It is actually lots of little jobs and tasks stuck together.  We sometimes lack motivation because we don’t know where to start.  The project needs to be broken down into smaller tasks that can be tackled one at a time.  For this example they could be:

1. Decide what type of job I want

2. Do an up to date CV

3. Look for jobs online or in the paper

4. Write an application letter and post it. 

5. Practice interview techniques

6. Buy an outfit that is suitable for the interviews and new job

7. Look for accommodation nearer to the new job

    Etc Etc…

I hope this article has been helpful in highlighting some of the reasons we sometimes lack motivation.  If you would like any more information on how to gain motivation or how hypnosis can help please contact me on 0845 603 4421 or email CLOAKING