13 Ways to Motivate Yourself
Some people seem to be motivated all the time. This isn’t just a random phenomenon. They instinctively know how to motivate themselves. For the rest of us that aren’t so lucky, we can learn.
You might find that your motivation never seems to last for long, but that’s okay. There are so many ways you can rekindle your motivation. Begin each day by improving your motivation. If your motivation wanes, following these steps and you will give it a big boost.
Use these strategies to give yourself a boost of motivation whenever needed…
- Promise yourself a reward
Give yourself something to look forward to! It could be something as simple as a magazine or as elaborate as a trip to your favourite holiday destination. Or maybe you’ll give yourself a quick TV break if you’re able to get your household chores completed by a certain time.
2. Visualize success
See yourself being successful and experience how great it feels. If you expect to feel good about completing something, you’ll be more likely to do it.
- Remind yourself of how successful you’ve been in the past
If you’re lacking in motivation because you doubt yourself, reflect back on a time when you did well in the past. Give yourself a boost of confidence, and you’ll feel more motivated.
- Set very short-term goals
Very short-term can mean a week or 10 minutes. Whatever works for you is acceptable. See how much you can get done in the next 15 minutes. If you do this each day, you’ll be amazed at how much work you can get done.
- Declutter your work area
It can be hard to feel motivated when you’re trying to work in a cluttered area. Spend a few minutes and tidy up. Avoid using this as an excuse to clean your whole house. You don’t need to clean the refrigerator to get work done at your desk.
- Focus on just doing a few tasks each day
Shorten your to-do list and you’ll feel less overwhelmed. Overwhelm tends to decrease motivation.
- List the advantages
What are the advantages of getting your task completed? What benefits do you receive? Try using logic to your advantage. Remind yourself of what you’re getting out of the deal. If this doesn’t work flip it on it’s head and…..
- List the disadvantages
Use pain to your advantage. What are the penalties of not getting your task done? How will you suffer? What are the negative consequences? You can gain a lot of motivation by recognizing the advantages and disadvantages of taking, or not taking, an action.
- Just get started and the motivation will come
Sometimes you need to get to work and then the motivation will show up. Get started and see what happens!
- Watch an inspiring video
Avoid the temptation to waste too much time watching videos, but a short, inspirational video can help get you started.
- Listen to an inspiring song
Put on some music that inspires you and get things done!
- Read inspiring quotes or books
Again, avoid wasting too much time on this, but a few inspirational quotes or maybe a chapter of an inspirational book will be enough to light your fire.
- Avoid worrying about things that don’t matter
Keep your mind on the things that matter and you’ll better preserve your motivation. There aren’t that many things you need to do each day that are crucial.
Motivation is the juice that allows us to get things accomplished. Knowing how to generate it at will is a powerful skill. If you are having trouble with maintaining motivation, why not enlist in an accountability buddy like a good friend, or a professional coach.
