The first step is to break up the project into manageable chunks. If you have a deadline looming, use this information to decide how much of the project to tackle at one time. Let's say you have six weeks to master the content of a difficult biology text. Looking through the book you realize that if you study one chapter each night, you can get through the book in 28 days, leaving two weeks in which you can again review the material.
With this knowledge you can pace yourself. You know what your assignment is. You know how much you need to read every night. Concentrate on the immediate task at hand. You don't need to feel overwhelmed by the entire book at one time. Next, work out a system of rewards for yourself. Give yourself a series of small rewards each time you master one chapter, and a larger reward for completing the entire book.
For rewards to work they must be immediate, and personally meaningful to you. There is no point in rewarding yourself with a new fishing rod if you hate fishing.
The reward should be proportionate to the effort you have put into the work. Buying a new car as a reward for finishing the textbook is probably too much. Getting a gold star is probably too little. Take some time to think of rewards that will really inspire you. In general, you should avoid using rewards that involve food or money.
Rewards don't need to be material objects if there is something else that would really motivate and inspire you. How about attending a special concert, or taking a special trip? You decide. Get creative and think of something that will spur you to take action.
It's very important that the reward take place soon after the work has been accomplished. This creates a sense of positive reinforcement. Give yourself a small reward every time you finish a small part of the job, and a bigger reward when the project is completed. If there is too long a gap between the activity and the reward, it will not have the effect of reinforcing the desired activity.
After all, you wouldn't train a dog by giving him a treat two days after he learned to roll over! You might not like being compared to a dog, but as silly as it sounds, our brain also responds to simple, positive reinforcement. Use this tendency of the brain to help yourself accomplish more of what you want.
If you don't believe in the concept of rewarding yourself for work you should be doing anyway, you don't need to do it. But feel free to experiment to see what works for you. This technique might be very helpful.
Besides motivating yourself with a series of external rewards, learn to motivate yourself internally. Tell yourself you're a good learner. Tell yourself you enjoy learning. Tell yourself you enjoy giving your brain a good work out. Congratulate yourself for your efforts. Tell yourself you love acquiring new knowledge. Be proud of yourself for the work you do to gain more knowledge.
Don't just say the words to yourself. Take the time to actually feel the sensations of pride, happiness and accomplishment within you.
This article is taken from the new book by Royane Real titled "How You Can Be Smarter – Use Your Brain to Learn Faster, Remember Better, and Be More Creative" If you want to learn how to use your brain better download it today or get the paperback version at http://www.lulu.com/real