Motivation penetrates every area of our life: it affects how much effort we put into our interests, how hard we work at our jobs, and ultimately, where we will end up in life. Motivation is what propels you towards your goals and gives you the energy to do your best every day. However, everyone would agree that sometimes, our motivation seems to vanish when we need it the most. There is certainly no cookie-cutter solution to getting motivated. Each person is different and you really need to figure yourself out to find the strategies that work best for you. Here are a few things you can try
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Set a goal
It might sound like a no-brainer, but the fact of the matter is that a common reason why many people feel unmotivated is that they don’t know what they want. If your goals are vague, of course, it will be difficult to figure out where to start, which will lead to procrastination. So, start by defining your goals, and be sure to make them specific. This will help you come up with a plan and stick to it. The more specific you are, the easier it will be to keep track of your progress along the way, too.
Figure out your “why”
Your goal is important, but what’s even more important is the reason why you want to achieve it. Focusing entirely on the “what” and “how” can distract your attention from the “why.” Sometimes, the reason might not be as straightforward. Whether you are at the beginning of your journey or you feel stuck in the pursuit of your goal, it’s a good idea to sit down and think for a moment. How will this particular thing benefit you? Will it make your life better in some way? Write down these important reasons and keep reminding yourself of them when you feel your motivation levels plummet. If your task is out of your control, try to find indirect ways in which you will benefit from them. A difficult work task, for instance, can score you good points at your boss.
Set yourself up for success
The human mind is a powerful tool but sometimes it seems to work against our own favor. Negative thinking can set you up for failure at the very beginning of your journey. If you feel insecure about your skills and capabilities, you might find yourself thinking “I can’t do this” before you even start a project, killing your own motivation. Positive thoughts, on the other hand, can empower you and help you maintain your motivation. While you might not be able to simply flip a switch in your brain and start believing in yourself, there are habits you could start practicing. Change your train of thought for the better when you catch yourself thinking negatively. Remind yourself of your past successes that testify to your skills and expertise.
Break your goals down
Having ambitious goals is sure a great thing. However, it’s easy to run out of steam in the long process of achieving it. A huge goal can also seem very overwhelming and you might not even know where you should start tackling it. If this is what you are experiencing, breaking down your goals into small, more manageable micro-goals is a great way to make things easier for yourself. Go step by step and you’ll find that you feel closer to your goal after each small step. You will experience little pieces of success at every stop, which will motivate you to push forward.
Stay organized
Another simple thing you can do to stay motivated is getting more organized. You should keep both your plans organized and your environment neat and tidy. A disorganized environment is full of distractions. Clutter makes it impossible for you to focus on your task. It also makes your work more difficult and destroys your productivity. Get rid of distractions that are stealing your momentum. If necessary, remove electronics such as your phone when you need to focus. You should also learn to manage your tasks in a more organized manner. Don’t try multitasking – it clearly does not work and it only exhausts your brain. Do away with procrastination – the longer you put off a task the less motivated you will be to do it.
Reward yourself
Not every task will take you closer to your goal but that is completely normal. However, you still need to get over these and not let your motivation plummet. Implementing a reward system can help you out in these situations. External motivators give you just enough steam to push through when it’s difficult to see the value of your efforts. Pick something that you like – watching an episode of your favorite show after completing an assignment, having something delicious after a hard week, or having a refreshing cup of coffee after a difficult task can all work. Sometimes, even just taking a short break and relaxing a little will be enough. You’re working hard, so you deserve this.
Surround yourself with the right people
Motivation does not only come from ourselves; it also comes from the people around us. Surrounding yourself with the right people is invaluable for all aspects of life, and staying motivated is also one of them. Positive people will fill you with positive energy. Instead of bringing you down, they will appreciate your values and make you feel more confident in what you do. They can also share their own strategies and experiences and give you valuable advice. Don’t underestimate the power of good company.
Reach your full potential with a coach
Do you feel unmotivated because nothing seems to give you a sense of fulfillment? Maybe you’re yet to discover your true calling. You might be putting energy towards the wrong goal, or perhaps you feel like you’re not using your full potential but are having trouble figuring out what’s standing in your way. Developing a mindset that will allow you to reach higher can be difficult without guidance. Seeking out life coaching from a professional with years of experience in leadership and training such as Diane Demetre might be what will set you free of your boundaries.
Stay accountable
Another way to stick to your goals and stay motivated is by keeping yourself accountable in some way. When you’re the only person making sure that you stay on track, you can easily slip. If you decide to involve others as well, there will be an added layer of accountability. So, share your goals with your trustworthy friends. They can check on your progress or even join you in your efforts and accompany you in the pursuit of your goal. You can also post your progress on social media.
Don’t burn yourself out
Finally, while it’s important to keep striving for your goals, it is also important to take breaks sometimes. Burnout is a real threat, and you don’t want to get to that point. Breaks are not a luxury, they are a necessity for your brain to reset and your batteries to recharge. Find ways to unwind and relieve stress to stay healthy. Exercise regularly and get your daily dose of sleep, and you’ll find yourself energized and motivated the next day.
If you’re motivated, not only will you have better productivity at work but you will also feel more fulfilled in your personal life. If you have been feeling under the weather lately, try these tips to regain your motivation and get closer to your goals.