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Someone told me recently, “If you’re like me, you’re watching the Olympic games thinking, ‘Why can’t I get motivated to get in shape?’” I responded, “I feel your pain. I have a book deadline October 1st, but I catch myself rearranging the spice rack, surfing online, or cleaning out a cabinet that doesn’t really need it.

Unfortunately, motivation doesn’t simply show up when you’re waiting for the mood to strike. If you are waiting for the urge to finish that report, reach a deadline, or send an important email, you might be waiting a long time. And according to experts, it’s not motivation that’s needed to reach conclusion. It’s something else.

What’s holding us back? It’s the myths that are inconsistent with science that me believe in, according to Dr. Wendy Grolnick, professor of psychology at Clark University and an expert on motivation. I spoke with her by email, and she told me, “A common motivation myth is that we should wait for motivation to strike.” Grolnick, coauthor of the new book, Motivation Myth Busters: Science-Based Strategies to Boost Motivation in Yourself and Others, added that there are several things you can do instead of waiting for that magic moment.

“We all struggle with motivating ourselves and others at times,” Grolnick explained to me. “My coauthors and I argue that some of the problem is that we may hold beliefs about motivation that are not consistent with science. Our book busts 10 myths and provides scientifically supported strategies to boost motivation.” She shares examples of four common myths along with information to bust them.

Myth 1: Some People Are Motivated—Others Aren’t

The Science: You are motivated and so is everyone else. The idea that motivation is a characteristic of a person is not supported by science, Grolnick informs us. “Motivation varies by the domain (e.g., sports versus academics), context (some situations or people in them prime your motivation and others don’t), task (some tasks are more motivating than others), and the person’s interests.

Grolnick’s suggestions for action:

• Assume everyone is motivated. When you see someone who seems to lack motivation, try to understand why and tap into their motivation.

• Try to understand why the person feels unmotivated. For example, do they feel pushed to do something, unable to succeed? Disconnected from others?

• Tie the task to the person’s interests or goals.

• Make the task more interesting.

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Many of us spend an inordinate amount of time waiting to get motivated, but experts inform us that … [+]  Getty

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