If you’re finding it hard to stay motivated, join the club. I have compiled some ways that work to help push you in the right direction.
Today’s world is filled with challenges and distractions. Staying motivated is a much needed skill for personal and professional success. Who doesn’t want to be successful?
Motivation is a combination of internal and external factors that drives an individual towards their goal.
Maintaining a high level of motivation is often easier said than done. Life’s challenges, setbacks, and the monotony of daily routines can dampen our spirits and leave us feeling uninspired.
I know at the end of the day, I just want to sit and relax. This is fine as long as it’s not every single day. Being active helps keep you motivated. Get out of the rut.
Motivation is challenging and also essential for success. Ask yourself, what drives you? What are your strengths? Use them.
Define your Goal
Key word here is “Your“. Make sure you are doing this for you. This decision should be making your life better in some aspect.
Write it down. Break it down. How exactly will this change your life? What do you want the end goal to be? Typically this ends with you feeling happier.
In contrast, what will your life be like if you don’t accomplish the goal you’ve set out for. Picture your life with zero change. Use this as motivation to get up off the couch.
Set Clear and Achievable Goals
One of the biggest factors of motivation lies in setting clear and meaningful goals. These goals act as a roadmap, providing direction and purpose.
Without an end game in mind, it’s easy to lose focus and get off track. Set specific goals. Break large goals into smaller tasks. This allows you to celebrate wins along the way.
Make sure you’re setting these goals for yourself. It can be a mental block when you are comparing yourself to others. Everyone accomplishes success at different levels.
Success is not in luck, it’s in hard work. If you wish for it, work for it.
Have faith in yourself and be confident that you can do whatever you set your mind to.
Find your “Why”
This is huge. Bold this and don’t forget it.
What is the main underlying reason behind your goal? Don’t lose focus.
Connecting with your deepest wishes strengthens your motivation and provides a sense of purpose.
I put little notes all over with my why on it. This way, no matter where I am, I don’t lose the motivation to keep pushing towards the end goal.
Bathroom mirror, car visor, desk at work, on the coffee pot. This may be extreme to some but hey, if it helps, use it. I am a very visual person and seeing it in writing helps me see my life in a brighter place.
Envision your goal. See your future self after your goal has been met. It feels good. Make that feeling a reality. Live it.
SMART Goals
I personally love acronyms. If there is an easy way to remember and help stay on track, I am all about it.
SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time based.
Specific – Clearly define what you want to accomplish. Write it down. Your goal should be clear and specific, answering the questions: What do I want to achieve? Why is it important? How will I achieve it?
Measurable – Include specific amounts, numbers, or percentages in your goal. This makes it easier to track and evaluate your success. Measuring progress helps you stay on track and motivated. Ask yourself: How much? How many? How will I know when it is accomplished?
Achievable – Consider the resources, skills, and time available to you. Your goal should be challenging but still possible. Never set yourself up for failure. You know yourself better than anyone. Ask yourself: Can I realistically achieve this goal with the resources and time I have?
Relevant – Make sure your goal is relevant and aligned with your overall objectives. It should matter to you and fit in with your long-term plans. Ask yourself: Is this goal worthwhile? Does it align with my long-term objectives?
Time Based – Set a specific timeframe for achieving your goal. This adds a sense of urgency and helps prevent procrastination. Ask yourself: By when do I want to achieve this goal? What can I do today, this week, and this month to move toward my goal?
Again, I am a very visual person. Keeping a weekly schedule in a planner is key. This way, I know what I am doing and when it is being accomplished. I try for a win a week.
Create a Positive Mindset
Maintaining a positive mindset is a powerful tool for staying motivated. Embrace challenges as opportunities to grow as opposed to seeing them as obstacles.
Challenge negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones.Surround yourself with inspiration to fulfill your motivation.
Part of this also means keeping the negative influences away. Moods are contagious, be sure to be in the company of people who see life more on the positive side.
Self-doubt holds you back. It creates fear that leads to procrastination. You are your own worst enemy. Notice this and reverse it. Let yourself win.
Develop a Routine
Routine creates structure, discipline, and stability. Incorporating predictability into your daily life can boost motivation.
Remember, life happens. Be willing to adapt your goals and strategies as needed. Try not to be in the mindset of your goal being set in stone for a specific time frame. You can add some time when needed.
When you develop a routine, don’t overwhelm yourself with goals. You can have a large end goal, but by breaking it up and keeping it small will help.
Create new habits and stay patient. Be ok if things don’t happen quickly. You are not anyone else. You are you and you should be proud of that. Don’t let someone else’s timeline be your timeline for your own personal goals.
Celebrate small wins
Acknowledge and celebrate even the smallest achievements along the way. Recognizing your progress reinforces positive behavior and provides a sense of accomplishment.
Appreciate what you have put into your goal to make it this far.
Large tasks can be overwhelming, leading to procrastination and loss of motivation.Break down complex projects into smaller, more manageable steps.
Celebrations provide positive reinforcement, creating a cycle of motivation that helps individuals towards the next milestone.
Learn from Setbacks
Setbacks are inevitable but how you respond to them is well within your control. They’re not failures, they’re lessons and opportunities to grow and learn.
Understanding how to navigate obstacles without losing motivation is a crucial skill. Remember your strengths. Revisit them and how to better use them in the future.
Analyze what went wrong and adjust your approach. Life is all about learning.
One of my favorite tried and true practices when losing motivation is by telling myself 3 things that make me happy.
When I get here, I can tell myself what I did to get these things in my life that bring enjoyment. Every single one of them resulted in effort on my part. Things in life take work.
Now, take something that you wish for in life. Go back to your “why”. Remember the happy feeling. Take note that someday, with work, this will end up in the first category. Get inspired by this feeling and get back to it.
Practice Self Care
Taking care of your physical and mental well being is essential for sustained motivation. Ensure you get enough sleep, maintain a healthy diet, and engage in activities that make you happy.
Too often people forget to take care of themselves while busy taking care of everyone around them. This can leave you feeling drained and unmotivated.
Focus on the process, not the outcome. Goals are essential. It’s crucial to enjoy and find fulfillment in the journey itself.
Embrace the learning experience. Savor the small moments of progress.
Staying motivated is an ongoing process that requires self-awareness, dedication, and adaptability.
By setting clear goals, keeping a positive mindset, and embracing learning experiences, you can build a foundation for sustained motivation.
Remember that motivation is a force influenced by both internal and external factors.
Laying around on the couch is not the way to accomplish anything so it’s time to stop procrastinating. Don’t stop fighting for your dreams.
By incorporating these strategies into your daily life, you can accept the challenges, stay focused on your goals, and in the end, get the success you desire.
It’s a much better feeling to look back and say “I’m so glad I did that” as opposed to “I wish I would have done that” Make your wish a reality
Don’t look back and regret the chances not taken.