"I was thinking one day and I realized that if I just had somebody behind me all the way to motivate me I could make a big difference. Nobody came along like that so I just became that person for myself."
Staying motivated until you reach your goals and dreams isn't always easy. There are often roadblocks, plateaus and valleys along the way where you can get into a slump. And feel like you've simply lost your motivation somewhere along the way. So today I would like to share some tips, strategies and habits that I have used to find that motivation again.
First thing you can do is to Refocus on doing what YOU really, really like to do: When you really like doing something then the motivation to do it come automatically (most of the time). And when you really want something then it simply becomes easier to push through any inner resistance you feel. So if you lose your motivation, ask yourself Am I doing what I really want to do? If not and if possible, refocus and start working on that very important thing instead. Make a list of upsides: Write down all the benefits you will get from achieving something, like for example getting into better shape or making more money. Save it and then pull that list out of the drawer whenever your motivation is lacking again and review it. Or put it somewhere where you will see it every day until you reach your dream. This is a powerful way to reconnect with your motivation and reasons for taking action.
Make a list of downsides: You can combine this with the list of upsides to give yourself even more motivation to start moving and get things done. Ask yourself How will my life look in 5 years if I continue to stay on the same path as now? How will life likely become worse for me and maybe even for the people around me?
Go for a bigger goal: Set a big goal that inspires you even if it may seem a tad unrealistic at the moment. If you have too easily achievable goals then you may find that they don't give you that motivational spark and drive. When you start to think a bit bigger then you get motivated and your mind starts looking for the solutions that will help you achieve that goal.
Remember how far you have come and compare yourself with yourself: Comparing what you have and your results to what other people have and have accomplished can really kill your motivation.
Talk about it: Sometimes you just need to let it out and to talk to someone about your motivational low point. Letting it all out can release a lot of pent up emotion and let you get a new, more positive and healthy perspective on things. Often we build our own small or medium- sized problems into big scary monsters in our minds. Letting the monsters out into the light and letting others see them can make us realize that we were making a too big of a deal out of it all. It allows us to lighten up a bit, to not take things too seriously and to start moving forward and find that lost motivation again. So talk to a friend or family member. Or try an anonymous internet forum with like-minded people.