2018 is close to ending. Looking back over this year, have you accomplished what you set out to do in January 2018? Did you meet your short term goals or did you not bother to even make short term goals? Excuses are easy when cash is tight and you find yourself working many more hours to pick up the slack “Excuses are roadblocks that must be removed mentally if you want to achieve your dreams. Essentially, the difference between people who persevere and those who give up is motivation,” states Matthew Espino in an article found on http://www.mzonearticles.com.
Self-motivation is crucial in achieving success. We all experience setbacks in our lives. However, it is important to move on and not dwell on the past. Without self-motivation, it is so easy to throw in the towel and walk away. If you can motivate yourself to focus on your dreams and goals, you will find yourself going forward. Setbacks are actually part of the process of success.
How do you start?
Start fresh. Start with something small. Does your desk need organizing? Jump in and clean up that mess. This would be a good start. Once started, you will find you will feel as though you accomplished something and maybe feel motivated. OR maybe do the toughest task first. Just completing the task will feel as though a weight was lifted. It will put a smile on your face and encourage you to move forward.
Choose to be happy. Experts find that if you don’t feel motivated or enthusiastic, but you act like it, soon you will actually start to feel enthused! Make a deal with yourself. If you finish as task, reward yourself. Take a long walk or maybe find the ice cream shop and treat yourself to a scoop of your favorite. Happy people are easily motivated. Everything looks brighter. A smile goes a long way. Try this theory. Smile at someone and I bet you will receive a smile in return.
Spend at least one hour a day in self-development. You must take this “me” time. There are so many “self-help” books; I know you can find one that appeals to you. If you would prefer not to read, you can listen to tapes. Listen to these tapes while you exercise. Some people find mediation uplifting. My boss swears by yoga. While working on some new techniques to keep you motivated, remember your successes. Think of them instead of your failures. Several years ago, Oprah Winfrey had a book and a journal. She encouraged you to write in your journal all the things you were thankful for that day. I did keep that journal and it is important to realize all the small happy things we take for granted. Keeping a journal is a good thing to help with your motivation. You do not need to write pages each day but a few simple sentences of the good things that happened…
Be willing to leave your comfort zone. As Mike Moore who wrote 10 Terrific Self-Motivation Tips said, “Great things happen when you make friends with your discomfort zone.” Facing your challenges can be a real boost to your motivation. You need to get out of your comfort zone. Michael Jordan said: “I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over, and over, and over, again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” If Michael Jordan can face his failures and move on, you certainly can!
Go at your own pace. This is YOUR race, only yours. Break down your task or project into small steps. Move on to the next when you are ready. Do not compare yourself with others. Compare yourself with yourself.
Don’t quit. If a person does not have goals in life, one can lose focus and lose direction. You must live in the present moment. If you experience a setback or frustration, forge ahead. Make each day count and remember to have fun…
These are some tips to help you become motivated and continue to be motivated. I admit I took some of these ideas from the Positivity Blog. If you feel yourself losing focus, stop, take a deep breath, and power on…
