Being motivated to use feedback

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TRANSCRIPT: Using feedback to improve your work can sometimes feel rewarding—but that’s not always the case. At times, motivation drops, and you just can’t see the point in spending more time thinking about your feedback, especially when it’s about something that’s already “in the past”. It’s normal to feel this way. So how can you stay motivated to use feedback, and see it as about the future, rather than the past?

Start by reminding yourself of the personal goals you’re working towards, not just those in the short-term but in the long-term too. Whether it’s pursuing your dream career, making your family proud, mastering a skill, or simply getting a better result than last time, motivation grows when you’re reminded that feedback can be a route toward something you care about. So try to consider where your feedback might contribute to this future journey, rather than just telling you about what’s already done.

But purpose alone isn’t enough. A big part of staying motivated is having practical strategies that help you take action. Importantly, motivation often comes only after you get started. So break your feedback into smaller, focused tasks, and find your entry point—a part of your feedback or your work that feels achievable, exciting, or interesting—and start there. If you’re more confident with one area, start with that. Even making one small step forward can help you build momentum.

Another powerful tool is structure. Rather than waiting for motivation to strike, build feedback into your routine. A short regular check-in with your past feedback—even just 10 minutes—can keep progress moving without it feeling like a huge task. A little feedback work, done often, can be far more motivating and effective than trying to do everything at once.

Lastly, it’s worth noting that motivation doesn’t always come from within. You don’t have to process or act on your feedback alone, and sometimes the biggest motivator is a quick supportive chat with a friend, relative, or tutor that reframes your situation, re-energises you, and reminds you of the personal goals you’re working toward.

In short, motivation isn’t something that you either have or don’t have. It’s something you can actively build—especially by focusing on your longer-term goals, starting small, and talking through the challenges you’re experiencing. By taking this approach to managing demotivation, feedback can become less about pressure, and more about making the progress that really matters to you.