Use of English - Multiple Choice

Staying Motivated

Maintaining motivation over a long period is often more difficult than people initially expect. At the start of a project, enthusiasm tends to be high and progress can seem rapid. However, once the novelty has worn (0) OFF, even highly capable individuals may struggle to remain focused. One reason is that motivation rarely depends (1) .......... willpower alone. It is usually shaped by habits, environment and the extent to which goals feel realistic. If expectations are too ambitious, people may become discouraged when results fail to (2) .......... up to them. Another difficulty lies in the fact that motivation is not constant. It tends to (3) .......... according to stress levels, workload and personal circumstances. For this reason, professionals are often advised to break large objectives into manageable stages, so that progress is easier to track and success is more likely to (4) .......... confidence. It also helps to establish routines that reduce the need to make repeated decisions. In the workplace, external pressure can sometimes produce short-term results, but it is rarely enough to (5) .......... long-term commitment. People are far more likely to stay engaged if they can see the value of what they are doing and feel their efforts are being properly (6) ........... Ultimately, motivation is less a matter of waiting for inspiration to appear than of putting systems in place that allow effort to (7) .........., even when enthusiasm fades. Those who succeed are usually the ones who learn how to (8) .......... setbacks without losing sight of their wider purpose.