Have you ever found yourself procrastinating or feeling unmotivated to complete a task, even though you know you need to get it done?

Getting things done isn’t about having the right tools or strategies. It’s also about understanding the psychology behind motivation and willpower.

Let’s explore some key concepts in the psychology of productivity.

More importantly, let’s discuss how you can finally harness them to achieve your goals!

The Role of Motivation

Motivation is the driving force behind the action. It’s what drives us to get up in the morning and start working towards our goals.

There are two types of motivation: intrinsic (what’s motivating you from the inside), and extrinsic (what’s motivating you from the outside).

• Intrinsic motivation comes from within. Driven by a sense of fulfillment or satisfaction. This is the engine, in my case - because I’m a crazy person - is what wakes me up at 4:30 am every day to hit the gym. Or drives you to sacrifice your weekend to do work and study. You do it because you want to at your core.

• Extrinsic motivation comes from external factors, such as rewards or incentives. Not my favorite thing. Nor should it be yours. Someone yelling in your face that you have to get up and go will last about as long as the final scene or two in a Rocky movie. Not the most sustainable model.

It’s important to find a balance between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. If you’re relying on external rewards, it’s likely that your motivation will wane over time. Extrinsic motivation is an unpredictable and temperamental elixir.

Finding a balance between the two can help you stay motivated and focused on your goals.

The Power of Willpower

Willpower is the ability to resist temptation and focus on your goals. Like motivation, willpower is a limited resource. There are several strategies you can use to boost your willpower and stay focused on your tasks.

One strategy is to rank your tasks based on their level of importance and urgency. This can help you focus on the most important tasks first. Way before your willpower depletes.

Another strategy is to break down large, complex tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks. This can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed. Which can keep you motivated to continue working.

An example of breaking something down is as simple as changing this “to-do” list item from this:

• Set meeting

To something like this: