TWO STRATEGIES TO COMBAT FADING MOTIVATION

Why is it Necessary to Combat Fading Motivation?

Motivation is essential for students to progress and achieve their goals. However, it is common for students to lose motivation at some point in their studies. This can lead to procrastination, missed deadlines, and a feeling of hopelessness. 

It all comes down to tweaking your life by building good habits.

With the right strategies, you can reignite your enthusiasm and get back on track with your studies. It will also affect the balance in your life, and you’ll see a massive boost in your physical, mental, and emotional health.

1. Temptation Bundling

You want to do something but wait – you get to it only after completing a necessary task.

Do you find yourself torn between doing what you want to and what you need? The best way to tackle this dilemma is by mixing up two activities. So if you want to study but want to drink coffee – you can do it simultaneously. 

A general template for this technique is as follows:

• You do something you want and follow it with what needs to be done.
• You finish the necessary task and then follow it with something you like/love to do.

So you can link the actions in two ways. It depends on which method is easier for you. The point is to set up a reward system for getting into that new habit! Have a look at some examples below.

• Watching a show on Netflix after you study for at least 1 hour.
• Treating yourself to a gift after you are done with your final examinations
• Read two books in a month and reward yourself with a video game you have had your eyes on.

2. Commitment Device

Have a system that assures you follow future habits to the core.

Suppose you build a good habit. You are full of motivation initially, But you lose that energy over time and find it difficult to comply with the new behavior. This is where commitment devices can help you keep up with consistency. Learn the 4 principles of behavior change.

They help set up a pattern that allows people to stick to their actions despite short-term temptations or distractions. Commitment devices are typically used to promote good behavior, such as saving for retirement, implementing a budget, or quitting smoking. 

Commitment devices can take many forms depending on the goal they are trying to achieve. For example, a student wants to commit to studying for 5 to 6 hours over the weekend. 

Below are some other classic scenarios for high school, middle school, and college students:

• Setting up mini-deadlines to get done with a bigger task
• Set up a monthly budget plan to create savings in the long run for a college fund
• Creating a timetable in advance for summer vacation homework

So you plan ahead of time. However, you also take major steps along with that plan to ensure you stick with the good habit in the long run. 

Conclusion

Behavior change does not come easy. However, it is possible to make it happen by balancing needs and wants. Creating links between necessary and recreational tasks establishes a routine that allows you to study well.

You can use temptation bundling and commitment devices to maintain a school-life balance. Consistency is key, so remember to consider your new habit as part of your routine. Moreover, you will be able to make the most of the two techniques to combat fading motivation quickly.

Check Our Our Other Blogs:

• 4 Ways For Students To Design An Environment For Success
• What Is A Gateway Habit?
• Atomic Habits: 3 Tips For Your Habit-Building Framework

References:

Commitment devices for behavior change
https://www.besci.org/tactics/commitment-devices