A long time ago I figured out that deadlines are great motivators to accomplishing a task. When we have a specific time by which to have something complete, we are likely to be finished by that time.
I also figured out a long time ago that I have difficulty setting specific goals and then sticking to them.
Think about those two things for a minute; if someone else establishes a goal for me -- a task to complete within a specific time -- I almost always am able to get it done, but I have a hard time if I am the one setting the task and time of completion. What does that say about me? It's not a lack of self-discipline, it's either a lack of self-motivation or, it is a lack of inability to determine what needs to be done and how long it should take for completion.
Even though I have difficulty setting goals and sticking to them, I have learned to do it. That doesn't necessarily mean that I like to do it, but I do like the results. It's all about the results and a willingness to pay the price to achieve those results.
We all fight inner demons when it comes to accomplishing the things we want in life. We find ourselves doing "busy work" that creates the appearance of working toward our goals when in reality, it is just something to make us "look" busy -- to give us a sense that we are doing something, even if it is likely it is the wrong things. Overcoming those things which hold us back is a matter of growth and maturity. There are some things we may never outgrow, but if we identify the things that hold us back, we can at least begin the process of changing those behaviors and mind-barriers that restrict us.
For me, visualizing the result is probably the most effective motivation. Visualization is more than just a mental picture -- it includes the feelings of satisfaction and enjoyment that come along with completion. As much as I would like to say that cold, hard logic is the answer, it is not; we are emotional creatures and depend on emotion for motivation -- even if that emotion isn't necessarily a proper one, such as greed, or envy.
If you struggle with goals, change the nature of how you set them. Many years ago when I was training sales people I taught them that if they focus on making a sale to a new customer they will quickly become disappointed. Instead, make it about the number of calls you make on that prospective customer. If, on the average, it takes 9 calls on a new prospect in order to make the first sale to them, focus on accomplishing those 9 calls. Make a list of reasons to go see them -- to have contact. After that first contact in which no sale was made you still accomplished your goal and could feel good about it. The attitude switched from "they weren't interested" to "that's one!" Usually, long before that 9th contact, a sale was made. Not only did their focus change, but their attitude changed in a way that was palpable to the prospect. Their positive attitude at accomplishing their goals came through rather than the negative attitude which comes with an expected failure.
Those emotions are critical to our well-being. If you find yourself struggling, think about what emotions are coursing through you and then find ways to overcome the negative ones. Failure feeds failure and success feeds success -- not because of the completion of the task, but because of what it does for us emotionally.
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