Apathy. It has become a major issue for so many people today. While many people associate apathy with a lack of passion or motivation, it is technically defined as the absence of emotion.
Apathy may not be a clearly defined emotional state, but it is a serious one. Falling into a state of apathy can be dangerous, so knowing the signs of being in this type of state is important.
If you have noticed the following signs in your own life, then you may be slipping into a state of apathy:
- You no longer hold the same interests and hobbies.
- You feel unmotivated.
- Your performance at work is starting to slip.
- Your days become filled with mindless tasks.
- You lose steam when you think of acting on a goal.
- You find yourself watching a lot more television or surfing the web more.
- You are eating too much and not exercising enough.
These are all signs that you may be dealing with apathy. What is even more important than realizing that you are dealing with apathy, is working to overcome it. If you know you are dealing with apathy, it is time to make a change and it is time to turn that apathy into positive motivation.
Here are four of the easiest ways to turn apathy into positive motivation:
1. Start by understanding your state
Begin with getting some perspective on the issue. You are dealing with a case of apathy, but that doesn’t mean it defines you or who you are. You are not lazy, boring or unmotivated. It is not who you are, it is how you are feeling right now. You will not be in this state or feel this way forever, so make sure you are clear on the temporary status of your situation first.
“Hate is not the opposite of love; apathy is.” – Rollo May
2. Start by changing small things
Try to realize what the cause of your apathy is. Then decide if there is anything that you can do about it. What got you to this place? What can you do to change the influencers that make you feel apathy? Start by changing these small things, you will not only benefit from changing the things that make you feel apathetic, but you will benefit from the process of doing something about your situation.
3. Take action
Taking action marks a conscious decision. If you want to make a change in your life then you need to take action. It can be a small step or a large one, but the point is you need to make the decision to do something and then follow through with it.
This is why it is so important: when you are taking action you are making a real, conscious decision to do something. This is the counterbalance to apathy, which is a passive action. The more action-oriented you are, the more you chip away at your passive state.
“Apathy can be overcome by enthusiasm, and enthusiasm can only be aroused by two things: first, an ideal, with takes the imagination by storm, and second, a definite intelligible plan for carrying that ideal into practice. ” – Arnold J. Toynbee
4. Stop complaining
One of the most frustrating parts of dealing with apathy is that it can make everything around you seem negative. So many people who are struggling with apathy are constantly complaining about their situation and just how bad things are. Stop complaining and start doing.
If you want to turn your apathy into motivation to succeed, the number one thing you can do is to stop complaining. It will stop bringing negativity to your life, it will prevent you from making excuses for yourself and it will give you nothing but fuel to make your life better and to stay motivated.
“Willpower is the key to success. Successful people strive no matter what they feel by applying their will to overcome apathy, doubt or fear.” – Dan Millman
Being in a state of apathy is not the end of the world. It is a rut or a phase that many people deal with. However, if you are able to look within and get to the root of the problem and take real action steps in order to overcome your state and to make positive changes to your life, you will find the motivation you need to make the life improvements that you want.
