I am going to assume you’re here for one of two main reasons: you follow my blog and have picked up that I post every Monday OR you are looking for ways to stay motivated. I know this is outside the scope of this blog, however I’m going to share anyway. This is something I have struggled with over the years, causing me to miss out on a lot of opportunities. In the last year with Emerald Lily I have had my ups and downs with staying motivated. I don’t even know if I should be posting this being that the struggle is still very real, but hey, I made a commitment to post weekly blogs and bi-weekly videos so here it goes. lol These are a few things that have helped me stay on track.
Have the Right Attitude
All the hints, tips and tricks in the world won’t mean much if you don’t think you can do what you’re trying to do. Think something into existence. If you think it’s bad it’s bad. If you think it’s good it’s good. Don’t worry though, if you’re here you’re already on the right track.
Nobody Does Anything Alone
This truly speaks to me. I have a very hard time asking for help. Part of it stems from not wanting to have to wait on other people for things and also from wanting it done my way most of the time. That just can always be the case. Several of the following tips include the help of others. Know this and that it cannot be avoided because even when you think you are doing it on your own, you really aren’t.
Set Goals…With Deadlines
Short term and long-term goals. I’m sure you’ve heard it before. Setting short-term goals helps to accomplish your long-term goals. DO NOT be ashamed at how short your short-term goals have to be and order to build up to the bigger picture. If your goal is to lose weight you can start as small as subbing one unhealthy meal a day for a healthy one even if you don’t control the portion size. Then once you get the healthy meals in consistently, start to control portion size. Most people will lose weight on that alone. Let me know when you start your own gym! Socially awkward? Me, too! Start by saying hello to a random stranger. No conversation, just hello. Once you become comfortable with this start longer conversations. There’s bound to be a less socially awkward person who will do this part for you. Be cool. The next thing you know you’ll be giving three-hour seminars on how to network.
Look Right At It
I am a visual person. Seeing things, touching things appeals to me. So this way helps me a lot. Remember that message board I made a few weeks ago? On the wall directly across from my bed is the message board so every morning when I wake up it’s one of the first things I see. Whenever I leave my room it’s there. Whenever I’m sitting in bed it’s there. It has pictures of a list of goals I will accomplish from getting back on track with my diet and exercise to paying down debt to milestones with my business. Having this constant visual reminder makes it harder for me to tuck things I need/want to get done away in the back of my mind whether purposefully or not. Even when I’m not at home I can visualize the message board and everything on it. It gives me that extra push.
Write It Down
I keep a goal book about the size a daily planner. Every night before bed I write a list of things I want to accomplish for the next day. Some of what’s on my message board also makes it in this book, but it’s mostly for smaller goals. For example, I have a goal to lose 30 pounds. That would be on my message board. In my goal book, I’d write workout for an hour on legs. This also works as my to-do list. At the end of the night I cross out everything I did. What I didn’t do I hold myself accountable for by explaining why something didn’t get done. I am brutally honest with myself. Everything from something unexpected got in the way to I was just too lazy. Crossing out something on a list as being done gives me a sense of accomplishment, a mini pat on the back, and pushes me to keep going in order to get that feeling again. Writing down what doesn’t get done and why helps me find patterns and exposes bad habits that I need to tend to.
I did a blog back in February about this and it still seems to be working for me. I find that I’m wanting to do things worth writing down. Lately, I have gotten to writing, and I hesitate to say, “generic” positive things. See? Writing things down helps to pick up on patterns. This says to me that I need to change my perspective or possibly do more worthwhile things.
Talk About It
Tell someone about a goal (hint, hint). This gives you the extra push to get something done so as to avoid the embarrassment of not doing something you said you would do. No nonsense friends are the best for this. They don’t let you slip and get away with it.
Be Smart About the Success of Others
Comparing yourself to others is something we all do. While comparing can be helpful in staying motivated, it could also be dangerous. Even the person you admire wishes they were more of this or less of that. Know that this is a normal thing and don’t let it bog you down. Things are always different from the outside looking in and vice versa. I’ll bet there’s someone out there right now who views YOU as successful even if you don’t think that you are. Also understand that the overnight success story is rare if it even exists at all. Most often people only see the success and none of the hard work put in behind the scenes. What happens a lot of the time is that person has been working at it for a long time and just happened to be at the right place at the right time OR their dedication just paid off. There doesn’t have to be a big break. I can’t stress enough how important it is to know this.
Partof staying motivated is keeping from getting discouraged.
Keep a Nay Sayer Handy
I’m sure I’m not the only person out there who, ironically, is more motivated by someone saying they can’t do something. Hearing that strikes a nerve and pushes me to prove them wrong. In looking up ways of staying motivated over the years and just from listening to people I’ve heard several successful people admit to this.
Don’t Overwork Yourself
This is a tricky one to explain. The best way I can think of describing this is to say listen to your body. 16 hour days are great but you’ll burn yourself out before it’s all over with. There’s no shame in taking a break.
I hope you found this helpful! Please leave a comment with any tips you have on staying motivated. We could all use the help.
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