How to get motivated to live? This is basically what my blog is about—searching for motivation for positive changes. This post is inspired by a sensational book entitled “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Franklin.
Many of us struggle with what to do with our lives and often do not know which direction to go in or how to find joy in life. I myself was in a very poor situation many years ago and couldn’t find for myself any meaningful occupation or idea of myself. This resulted in a lack of motivation and depressing states.
How to get motivated to live?
I will start by answering this basic question—you have to have goals. You have to have an idea for yourself, define what is your hobby, and what you want to achieve, because you need to make sense of your actions. It’s so simple and difficult at the same time. We live in times when most of us have a place to live, food, and freedom. Despite this, we often do not know what to do and lose motivation for life. In addition, a huge choice of possibilities for action simply blocks us a lot.
In his book Man’s Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl describes events in concentration camps, where the chance of survival was very low and the prisoners suffered in an imaginable for us way. Despite this, some of them were able to find hope and motivation to act. Others gave up, which meant a quick end for them. Literally. Based on their experiences we can find out how to get motivated.
Viktor Frankl survived a stay in several camps and as a psychiatrist developed treatment methods based, among other things, on the difficult experiences in the death camps. Thanks to observing people in such extreme conditions, Viktor Frankl was able to determine why some people were able to motivate themselves even in such a hopeless situation as being in a concentration camp.
His method of treatment was very simple. It was based on giving meaning to a man’s life and showing them the way. According to the author, people in difficult situations should be explained that even difficult moments have meaning and value. Even in difficult life situations, we can find meaning and set goals that will motivate us to survive and overcome temporary difficulties.
People in difficult life situations very often regained their strength through a brief conversation about the meaning of their life and through a change in perception of everything around them.
What conclusions can you draw from this?
Remember that life puts us in very different situations and often these will be situations that require overcoming many obstacles. However, if you understand that even these difficult moments are valuable and that by overcoming difficulties and your weaknesses you become a better person, it will help us find a lot of motivation and willingness to act. Moreover, it is often enough to look differently at your life and set yourself goals to get a kick to act and get a grip.
Not without reason setting goals and plans for yourself is so popular. Viktor Frankl described the prisoners who lost hope and then died very quickly. On the other hand, people who could explain to themselves, that outside the camp waited for them, for example, people who loved them, that difficult times would end, etc., were able to withstand any difficult next day and thus survive.
We do not live in such drastic times now, but the conclusions are clear. If you lose your willingness to act and you don’t know what to do, set yourself targets for the next year and write them down. Then every day read your goals and remember that over time they will lead you to a place where you want to be so much. It is your goals and your belief in meaning every day that will help you find this “motivation” to act. Look for inspiration in books, maybe online, find something that will fascinate you and follow this path. Take your time and don’t give up. You should always expect some obstacles and problems, but with a goal on the horizon you will be able to go through many difficult moments that will surely appear.
Also, remember that taking even simple actions makes sense and in the long run, your life can change a lot because of it. I wrote about it in a post about the butterfly effect and my personal goals.
I encourage you to read the book “Man’s Search for Meaning” and to download morning affirmations to start each day with a solid dose of energy.