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.

---

Recommendations for the Best Personal Growth Books

I can't stress this enough: You've got to motivate yourself... Read More

March Madness - Give Me The Ball!

March madness is great to watch not because I have... Read More

Testy Horses and the Art of Speed Waiting

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

Moving Past Your Comfort Zone

We all gravitate toward what we feel most comfortable doing.... Read More

Are You Lacking Self-Discipline? - Part 1

A man does not live until he begins to discipline... Read More

Why are You Living?

It was 4,O'Clock in the morning, my regular time to... Read More

Qualia and Quanta

Ah, those New Year's resolutions.I suppose that the passage of... Read More

What Motivates You?

As a life-long student of personal development, I've attended dozens... Read More

Discover the Hidden Power of Self Motivation

Many studies have been done to research the effects of... Read More

Mind Power

King Solomon said "As a man thinketh in his heart... Read More

Wealth Building: Let The Wealth Building Secrets Of J. Paul Getty Inspire You To Great Achievement

One of the shortcuts to creating wealth is to learn... Read More

When Do You Enjoy Things the Most?

It's a very strange concept. When you are in a... Read More

Whats Stopping You?

We're all familiar with the cycle:We want new, but resist... Read More

Ready, Set, Action!

James 2: 17?faith by itself, if it is not accompanied... Read More

Three Simple Ways to Stay Focused

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

Celebrating the Couch Potato

Ah, the couch potato, that icon of American pop culture... Read More

The Lies We Live By

How many times have you lied to get your way?Many... Read More

STOP! Reading the Headlines and Live Your Own Life First

Imagine! 40 is old. The California State Supreme Court has... Read More

Overcoming the Fear of Getting Started

Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage.... Read More

Mountain-Moving Momentum

It can be challenging to think about going to the... Read More

The Power Of Purpose

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

Sow the Seed - See the Harvest

The story is told of two boys who were walking... Read More

Finding Motivation: What To Do When You Dont Feel Like Doing Anything

"The measure of your success usually comes down to who... Read More

I Give Up! How to NOT Say Those Words!

Boy, I tell you....it seems the world is just going... Read More

Hey CyberJunkie, Clean that Booger off Your Nose!

Well....., I got some good news and I got some... Read More

Why Holding A Vision Magnetizes Great Achievement

The only reason some people enjoy success while others fail... Read More

Getting What You Really Want

Everyone wants something in life, love, money, success, recognition ...... Read More

Breaking Through Resistance

Why is it that every time you start something new,... Read More

How to Change Your Negative Reality

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

Going with the Flow

This whole idea of change is founded on a single... Read More

Are You a Self-Saboteur?

Take this questionnaire to get clear on what you may... Read More

Taking The Leap

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

Step Out

Living your successful life requires you to step out. I... Read More