How can you increase motivation for optimal performance in high-stress situations?

There is no motivation without purpose and or meaning. You can motivate others with carrot and stick, and they might comply, but intrinsic motivation works much better and it is connected to purpose and a sense of satisfaction and achievement. So knowing yourself and why you do what you do is always useful.

You can boost your motivation in high-stress situations by setting clear goals, breaking tasks into manageable steps, and recognizing achievements. Foster a supportive environment with open communication and offer intrinsic rewards for progress. Encourage positive self-talk and mindfulness techniques to manage stress, promoting a resilient mindset. Provide opportunities for skill development, enhancing confidence and competence. Lastly, emphasize the meaningful impact of the task, connecting it to a larger purpose to inspire a sense of purpose and drive optimal performance.

Setting goals is important and we always hear about SMART goals. But i sometimes find them too specific. Because, guess what, life changes. Plans change. How about WOOP goals instead? They are science based and work much more with intuition.

Self-awareness is key to emotional management in any stressful situation. We cannot change or manage any issues that we are unaware of or disconnected from. If you find yourself grappling with figuring out The Why of your struggles, do not deny yourself good support and feedback from a professional, who can help reframe your psyche, give you new perspectives and observations, and hopefully, new tools to help you navigate a difficult time.

You can not motivate yourself effectively unless you know yourself. Emotional intelligence is a key driver of motivation. EQ or EI helps you to know yourself, your intuitions, your resources and preferences. It also helps to know your purpose. Without all this, there is only 'will-power' type motivation and this has been proven to have limitations, such as cognitive depletion.

The flow state is the top point of motivation and performance. It is when you are in perfect alignment in terms of what you must achieve and you own resources to get there. You are challenged, but you can do it. Flow happens when you are aligned with yourself and goals, and when the tasks and environment are just right. When in flow, there is no more motivation because everything just, well, flows!

Social support and emotional bonds can be valuable tools in managing stress and increasing motivation. Elephants are known for their strong social structures and deep familial bonds. In high-stress situations, such as facing threats from predators or the loss of a herd member, elephants demonstrate remarkable emotional support towards each other. They rally around stressed or grieving individuals, often touching and vocalizing in a soothing manner, a behavior that parallels human expressions of empathy and support. For instance, when a calf is in distress, not only the mother but also other females in the herd, known as "allomothers," will come to its aid, providing comfort and protection.

Mi consejo es que en vez ser una persona orientada al éxito, te conviertas en una persona orientada a la tarea. En donde el éxito lo definas en aprender, mejorar, superarte día tras día. Hacerlo mejor hoy que ayer, y ma?ana que hoy. Cuando estás orientada a la tarea, te vuelves más perseverante, determinada, tomas las decisiones de una manera más analítica porque tu foco está en optimizar los procesos. Las personas orientadas a la tarea son más estables a nivel emocional, no son víctimas de la euforia ni del desánimo. Gestionan las dificultades con inteligencia, de forma analítica y no emocional, son resilientes. Te libera del yugo de la expectativa de los resultados. Porque considera que la auténtica meta es el camino.