4 answers
frederick
Student
Otsego, Minnesota
1
Question
Asked
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how do i keep motivated in a science career field?
how does one find the motivation to keep on a science career path i feel like im losing the motivation to keep doing what i want with my life and the things i define as my passion
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4 answers
Aung Kaung Myat
Software Engineer
1
Answer
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Aung’s Answer
Hey Frederick or anyone else looking for motivation!
First of all, I would like to comment that everyone has ups and downs in their lives. Even our favorite activities may have a setback time. For example, we can look at the best sport player having a bad game or getting an injury from a game.
Similar things can happen to our career paths. Some days our motivation may not be the same as the first day or even our average days. Now, that loss of motivation can come from multiple sources. It is important for each individual to find the reasons/causes. Let's take a look at a couple of common scenarios.
1) Let's say one is not performing well in the chosen career and start to doubt themselves. If I am the one in this situation, I would first try to seek ways that I can improve to perform better. If you are in STEM career, talk to counselors, teachers/professors, upperclassmen/seniors, or even friends who seem to be thriving. The chances of them going through same hardships is very high and you will be amazed that you are not alone. Plus getting tips and tricks are always bonus. Some of my favorites in boosting motivations are 1) take small wins and appreciate them, 2) build consistent routines. Small wins are important as they take less time to accomplish, and they remind us we are on the right track.
2) I have also experienced scenarios where certain career just make people lives miserable. I personally tackle this in "before" and "after" approaches. For "before", every time I have to make major decision, I would do research and especially try to get an opportunity to experience what my life would look like after making the decision. Be willing to take volunteering opportunities without much pay and keep the mindset to learn a lot helps for these experiments "before" making a choice. I personally love to explore my horizons, so it usually makes me wonder 'what if I do this, what if I do that' even "after" I make decision. I usually take a hold of my current position before I decide to switch. What I mean is, if I start to have interest in art while studying engineering, I will start taking a few classes in art first before making direct switch in art right away. The chances are what we have before is what we love the most.
Anyway, it is great that you are starting to think about what you like doing and not, especially for your career. After all, most people spend at least 1/3 of their days doing jobs. It is really important to do what you LOVE doing. I really hope you find motivation back in what you choose or something that you are motivated to work on. I would also recommend to read the book "Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones" by James Clear. Or at least read the summerized version of the book. Cheers!
First of all, I would like to comment that everyone has ups and downs in their lives. Even our favorite activities may have a setback time. For example, we can look at the best sport player having a bad game or getting an injury from a game.
Similar things can happen to our career paths. Some days our motivation may not be the same as the first day or even our average days. Now, that loss of motivation can come from multiple sources. It is important for each individual to find the reasons/causes. Let's take a look at a couple of common scenarios.
1) Let's say one is not performing well in the chosen career and start to doubt themselves. If I am the one in this situation, I would first try to seek ways that I can improve to perform better. If you are in STEM career, talk to counselors, teachers/professors, upperclassmen/seniors, or even friends who seem to be thriving. The chances of them going through same hardships is very high and you will be amazed that you are not alone. Plus getting tips and tricks are always bonus. Some of my favorites in boosting motivations are 1) take small wins and appreciate them, 2) build consistent routines. Small wins are important as they take less time to accomplish, and they remind us we are on the right track.
2) I have also experienced scenarios where certain career just make people lives miserable. I personally tackle this in "before" and "after" approaches. For "before", every time I have to make major decision, I would do research and especially try to get an opportunity to experience what my life would look like after making the decision. Be willing to take volunteering opportunities without much pay and keep the mindset to learn a lot helps for these experiments "before" making a choice. I personally love to explore my horizons, so it usually makes me wonder 'what if I do this, what if I do that' even "after" I make decision. I usually take a hold of my current position before I decide to switch. What I mean is, if I start to have interest in art while studying engineering, I will start taking a few classes in art first before making direct switch in art right away. The chances are what we have before is what we love the most.
Anyway, it is great that you are starting to think about what you like doing and not, especially for your career. After all, most people spend at least 1/3 of their days doing jobs. It is really important to do what you LOVE doing. I really hope you find motivation back in what you choose or something that you are motivated to work on. I would also recommend to read the book "Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones" by James Clear. Or at least read the summerized version of the book. Cheers!
thanks this is a new perspective to think about
frederick
Allison Porter
Director of Sustainable Real Estate
5
Answers
Savannah, Georgia
Updated
Allison’s Answer
You're not alone, Frederick - lots of people have questions about motivation! It can be a tricky thing to master, because our motivation can fluctuate from day to day based on the weather, how much coffee we've had, and lots of other things. But it can also be an important sign that something needs to change in our lives. How can we know which one it is?
In my experience, it's helpful to think about your career in terms of the ocean. The ocean has waves that are constantly going up and down - that's our daily motivation level. And then there are currents, which are much stronger than the waves and move in the same direction all the time - that's our passion.
So if you feel motivated some days but not others, then that's probably just the waves going up and down - keep on going! But if you never feel motivated, or if you're consistently feeling pulled in another direction, that could be a current. It's time to reflect on your "why": what's important to you about your current path, and do you still feel comfortable with where you're headed?
A final note: If you feel like you've lost motivation in all areas of your life, and you just don't enjoy things like you used to, it's time for a mental health check-up. If so, please reach out to someone you trust and let them know!
I wish you the best of luck! And I'll leave you with this great quote from Howard Thurman: “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."
In my experience, it's helpful to think about your career in terms of the ocean. The ocean has waves that are constantly going up and down - that's our daily motivation level. And then there are currents, which are much stronger than the waves and move in the same direction all the time - that's our passion.
So if you feel motivated some days but not others, then that's probably just the waves going up and down - keep on going! But if you never feel motivated, or if you're consistently feeling pulled in another direction, that could be a current. It's time to reflect on your "why": what's important to you about your current path, and do you still feel comfortable with where you're headed?
A final note: If you feel like you've lost motivation in all areas of your life, and you just don't enjoy things like you used to, it's time for a mental health check-up. If so, please reach out to someone you trust and let them know!
I wish you the best of luck! And I'll leave you with this great quote from Howard Thurman: “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."
You rock! This advice is very helpful.
frederick
Monica Hipsher
Acitvity Director and visionary consultant
3
Answers
Logansport, Indiana
Updated
Monica’s Answer
From my personal journey, I've found that maintaining transparency with my teachers and crafting an inspiring vision board keeps me driven. As a student, don't hesitate to seek out resources such as school counselors. Share with them that you're struggling to stay motivated and ask for their expert advice on how to navigate this challenge. Additionally, engage in a hobby or leisure activity that's separate from your academic pursuits.
Best wishes,
Monica Hipsher
Go to school
get available resources to students
talk to your school counselor and ask for a professional opinion
find an unrelated hobby of interest
create vision board to help you remember why you chose this path
Best wishes,
Monica Hipsher
Monica recommends the following next steps:
Robert Kim
3
Answers
Santa Cruz, California
Updated
Robert’s Answer
Hi Fredrick!
It seems like you are getting a bit burnt out. That's perfectly normal and happens to a lot of people, especially to those in the STEM field. The first thing you need to realize is that you aren't alone and that other people are probably going through the same thing. I would advise talking to your peers/colleagues and how they dealt with this issue. They could have some insight into the topic.
In my personal experience, what worked for me was taking a break. Life is a marathon and not a race. You can't expect to be passionate all the time. You need to pace yourself and break the monotony by doing something else. This could involve going out with friends or getting some exercise at the gym. Anything that is different. Also it can be as long as you need it to be. Sometimes short breaks just don't cut it. Taking long periods off can help you find the motivation and passion to start up again!
Good luck!
It seems like you are getting a bit burnt out. That's perfectly normal and happens to a lot of people, especially to those in the STEM field. The first thing you need to realize is that you aren't alone and that other people are probably going through the same thing. I would advise talking to your peers/colleagues and how they dealt with this issue. They could have some insight into the topic.
In my personal experience, what worked for me was taking a break. Life is a marathon and not a race. You can't expect to be passionate all the time. You need to pace yourself and break the monotony by doing something else. This could involve going out with friends or getting some exercise at the gym. Anything that is different. Also it can be as long as you need it to be. Sometimes short breaks just don't cut it. Taking long periods off can help you find the motivation and passion to start up again!
Good luck!