Practical Ways To Motivate Yourself To Learn A Skill

One way to motivate yourself to work hard at anything is to risk wasting your money if you fail to put in the necessary effort.

When Charles Simeon, the great preacher and theologian, was at Cambridge, he promised himself that if he failed to get up at 6 a.m. he would throw one golden guinea into the River Cam.

One morning he had to make his way to a bridge over the river and throw in one very valuable golden guinea. He only had to do this once before he established the habit of getting up at 6.

The thought of throwing away your money is a powerful motivator! Pay for lessons in whatever skill you want to learn. You won't want to waste your money.

Personal trainers can teach you something about how to improve your physical condition but their main value lies in the fact that, if you don't do what they tell you to do, you will be wasting your money.

I regularly have lessons with a local computer maintenance expert and local web designer. They both visit my house so that I don't have to motivate myself to get in the car and travel to some distant learning center! We can also work directly on my computer.

For one hour I focus my whole attention on working with my computer expert. I have the motivation of working with another human being. It would be rude to doze off or watch a TV program.

I also have the motivation of making good use of the money I am paying him to teach me some very useful skills.

I work with my web designer for two hours at a time and, whether I feel like doing web design or not, I am motivated by his presence to get on with it. I also want to avoid wasting the money I am paying him.

These regular sessions usually inspire me to do more work on computer and web design skills in the rest of the week. They also allow me to make far better use of my computer and websites. All this encourages me to learn more.

When you are working on your own, you can vary the length of your work sessions to suit yourself. One hour is too long for some. Psychologists tell us that 20 minutes is the optimum length of time for taking in new facts and ideas.

So try working on one project for twenty minutes and then taking a small break before working on the same project for another twenty minutes or working on a different project for twenty minutes.

The advantage of working on the same project for consecutive twenty minute sessions is that you have all the materials for that project easily available and the project is fresh in your mind.

The advantage of working on another project is that the mind is invigorated by focusing on a new topic. Also the fact that you have only 20 minutes in which to make progress gives you a motivating deadline and challenge.

You start thinking "I have only 20 minutes available. I had better get a move on."

After a couple of hours work it is worth doing something physical like taking a short walk or doing some exercises. When you return to work you will feel ready to concentrate and make progress.

It also helps to map out your study schedule the night before and write it down so that your subconscious mind is tuned in to your plans and will help you achieve them.

So don't be afraid of spending your money on training by a local expert and don't hesitate to experiment with the length of your skill learning sessions. Try single 20 minutes sessions on different skills or try several 20 minute sessions on just one skill. Write out your plans the night before and let your subconscious mind do some of the work.

Finally, visualize yourself having mastered the skill you are working at. See yourself confidently creating websites and turning them into awesome cash machines or communication centers. See yourself explaining to your friends how to do what you have already done.

Or visualize yourself performing those dance steps, which you have been learning, in front of a circle of admiring fans. See yourself singing with feeling and power and touching the hearts of those who are listening to you in rapt admiration even if, to begin with, your family is your only audience.

About the author

John Watson is an award winning teacher and martial arts instructor. He has recently written two books about achieving your goals and dreams.

They can both be found on his website http://www.motivationtoday.com along with a daily motivational message.

The title of the first book is "36 Laws To Ignite Your Inner Power And Realize Your Dreams Now! - Acronyms, Stories, And Pictures...Easy To Remember And Use Everyday To Grab Your Life And Soar With The Eagles"

The book can be found at this URL http://www.motivationtoday.com/36_laws.php

The book uses acronyms, stories and pictures to help readers remember 36 laws that can gradually transform your life if you apply them.

You are welcome to publish the article above in your ezine or on your website so long as you do not alter it and keep in the words about the author and the 36 Laws.

---

Testy Horses and the Art of Speed Waiting

"What are you waiting for?" said Nelson, looking at me... Read More

Facing Our Fears

'You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in... Read More

Time Management - Finding Some Personal Time

Personal time or relax time is often why people want... Read More

The Biggest Mistake Youve Made About Manifesting

What is the biggest mistake you have made about manifesting... Read More

Three Simple Ways to Stay Focused

While I was trying to find a subject to write... Read More

The Power Of Purpose

The manifestations of motiveA man is captive within himself. He... Read More

How to Tune In Your Brain and Feel Motivated in Minutes

Want to know how to run your brain and be... Read More

14 Reasons To Get Motivated And Stay Motivated

Why should you bother to spend your valuable time to... Read More

Taking The Leap

Every four years, February gives us a whole 24 hours... Read More

Speed Reading Technique

Four Brilliant Tips to Speed Read Faster than EverMany people,... Read More

The Reason Nothing Happens - Is Because Nothing Is Happening!

I hear many clients declare how boring and stagnant their... Read More

Keep On Keepin On

In those times when everything seems to be going just... Read More

Hello! It Is Opportunity Calling!

If I knock at your door hold your hand take... Read More

Creating Your Best Year Ever

January is synonymous with resolutions and getting organized is high... Read More

Why You Dont Ned Motivation

As a life coach, I often hear people say they... Read More

Its Not Your Fault

Have you ever wondered what's really holding you back from... Read More

Desire + Action = Outcome ? Anxiety & Panic

This is my mathematical strategy I use to achieve everything... Read More

How To Win Over Your Fears

If you really want to do something you will always... Read More

No, Fear! The Success is Yours (1)

Fear is the minds great mortal sin.And isn't it just... Read More

Who are they to say it cant be done?

Doesn't it just burn you up when you have just... Read More

Self Determination - Making the Most Out of You

Breaking the mold of being a child is difficult. The... Read More

Victorious Living

How are things going for you? Are you sitting on... Read More

The Dream I Nearly Gave Up

Hello again to you my loyal readers. My very first... Read More

The Simple Life

When we talk about a Simple Life, we are not... Read More

How to Change Your Negative Reality

It is often taken for granted that the reality tomorrow... Read More

Pushing Through Your Comfort Zone

Our greatest growth in life comes from pushing through our... Read More

Whats Your Aging in American IQ? Take the Quiz and Find Out.

TRUE or FALSE1. Older adults have more mental health problems... Read More

The Art of Wastebasketry

Are your filing cabinets stuffed so full that it's difficult... Read More

How to Talk to Yourself When Nobody is Listening and You Want to

Do you ever pay attention to the thoughts inside your... Read More

Gaining Wisdom

Wisdom eludes me. The more I learn, the less I... Read More

A Perfect World ... Imbalance Creates Motivation

I am a big proponent of balance. Everything has to... Read More

Finding Your Authentic Path

"Deep in their roots, all flowers keep the light." ~... Read More

Stretch!

"Only as high as I reach can I grow, Only... Read More