I wanted to include an article on my site about staying motivated because I am always looking for ways to stay motivated. There are times when I have great ideas, but then I lack motivation. From the outside, people may look at me and think, “You’re always motivated.” It might appear that way but it simply isn’t true. Like everyone else, I have doubts, fears and other situations that I battle. I don’t like to beat myself up when I feel motivation leaves me, so I keep these 9 ways to stay motivated in the back of my mind so I can keep reaching my goals.
1. Set Clear Goals
Setting clear, specific, and achievable goals can help you stay motivated. When you have a clear direction and know what you’re working towards, it’s easier to stay focused and motivated. For example, if you wanted to write a book, set a goal to write 500 words a day.
2. Celebrate Small Wins
Celebrating small wins along the way can help you stay motivated. Acknowledging your progress and accomplishments, no matter how small, can help you feel good about what you’re doing and keep you motivated to keep going. For example, sending a “Good morning” text to a friend or family member shows that you care about someone else’s day. You deserve to give yourself appreciation for that.
3. Break Your Tasks Into Smaller Steps
When you’re facing a big project or task, breaking it down into smaller, more manageable steps can make it feel less overwhelming. This can help you stay motivated and make progress towards your goals. For example, when writing an essay to meet a deadline, it’s advisable to instead focus on the paragraphs individually.
4. Find Inspiration
Surround yourself with sources of inspiration, whether it’s through motivational quotes, music, books, or videos. Finding inspiration can help you stay focused and motivated, especially during difficult times. For example, reading a good book is one of my favorite ways to find inspiration.
5. Get Support
Having a support system can be crucial to staying motivated. Whether it’s friends, family, or a mentor, having people who believe in you and encourage you can help you stay motivated and on track. Feel free to pick up the phone and call a good friend or a family member who is a good listener.
6. Take Breaks
Taking breaks can help you avoid burnout and stay motivated. When you’re feeling overwhelmed or stuck, taking a short break can help you come back refreshed and re-energized. For example, I often take a walk after a long work conversation. This reinvigorates me.
7. Reward Yourself
Rewarding yourself for your hard work can help you stay motivated. Whether it’s treating yourself to something you enjoy or taking some time off, rewarding yourself can help you stay motivated and feel good about your accomplishments. Taking a vacation, watching a movie, and trying a new restaurant are all ways to reward yourself.
8. Learn from setbacks
Setbacks and failures are a natural part of any journey. However, they can also be demotivating. Instead of giving up, use these experiences as an opportunity to learn and grow. Analyze what went wrong, make any necessary adjustments, and keep moving forward. When I closed my magazine business, I used that as a time to build my family and learn about better ways to manage my stress.
9. Remember why you're doing this
Facing difficulties, like starting a new job, or moving into a new apartment, can leave you wanting to turn away. However, recalling why you’re doing that in the first place can bolster your motivation to get it done. For example, you often hear the question, “What’s your why?” I remember taking a gig that I wasn’t in favor of because I wanted to help my family. At the time, helping my family was my why.
This list didn’t include the tip of “Taking it one day at a time,” but I’d like to remind you of that right now. No matter what your goal is, you can only do what you can do within the one day. If you were able to reach all of your goals in one day, great. If not, there is always tomorrow. Remember the story of the tortoise and the hare? If we are to be successful and reach our goals, we need to be the tortoise.
Do you have a tip that you use to stay motivated?
Share it with me so that I can share it with the Yasmaniac tribe. We love a good tip. Remember, no tip is too small, we’re all about getting the win.
