Brad Larsen wrote the following article that just says it all:
"Of course motivation is not permanent. But then, neither is bathing; but it is something you should do on a regular basis." - Zig Ziglar
Even
the most motivated of us can feel unmotivated at times. In fact,
sometimes we get into such a slump that even thinking about making
positive changes seems overwhelming.
These motivational
fluctuations are part of life, and there are bound to be days when we
just don't feel like showing up. It's not that some people are
motivated and some aren't ... It's just that some people are eager to
change and others may not be ready.
Are you ready to change? With
some small steps you can get started down the road to positive change.
Being motivated is a wonderful state of being, where we all would all
like to spend more time.
The good news is that you can re-create
this state pretty much whenever you want. Utilize some of these
strategies regularly, and self-motivation will come naturally when
needed:
1.
Seek
inspiration. Positive, optimistic, energetic people will always shift
your vibration in the right direction. Search them out and become their
friend. Read inspirational books or blogs about your goal often and
then visualize what it would be like to reach that goal.
2.
Avoid
Energy Vampires. Naysayers, pessimists, and braggers will suck up your
energy. Avoid at all costs these energy thieves. Sadness, whining and
complaining doesn't play well with motivation.
3.
Get
Support. Find your support network, either in the real world or online,
or both. Keeping yourself accountable is easier when you bring other
people into the mix. Ask a friend or colleague if they'd be willing to
help keep you motivated for a short-term project.
4.
Commit
publicly. Broadcast your plans on your social media networks. By
letting everyone know what you're doing, you will inherently feel
responsible to stay motivated.
5.
Stay
Positive. Find the good in the bad. Negativity can eat you alive if
you let it. Don't let the little things get you down. Try squashing
negative thoughts like a bug, and then replacing them with a
corresponding positive thought.
6.
Think
of a Personal Mantra. Spend time thinking of a motivating mantra to
keep you focused. A phrase or a few positive sentences about reaching
your goals should help keep you moving. Put it somewhere that you will
see every day. Sending yourself daily reminders also helps.
7.
Stay
focused. Keep your sights on the big picture. You have to have a
long-term goal and a personal mission that you are striving to achieve.
Focusing on and reinforcing them at certain intervals is surely one of
the greatest motivators of all.
8.
Create
Personal Challenges. Personal challenges are short-term goals, usually
from 15 to 90 days. Using personal challenges strengthens your inner
power. The more you do, the more motivated you feel to do even more.
9.
Simplify.
If you feel like what you're trying to accomplish is bigger than you,
scale it back. Choose one goal, for now, and focus on it. Spread tasks
out over a few days. Break multifaceted tasks into smaller, more
achievable goals that you can cross off more frequently.
10.
Make
a List. Having a written list of tasks to accomplish is the only way
to get anything done. Spread your work for the week over each of the
five days. When you finish a task, cross it off the list.
11.
Assess
Your Progress. If you work constantly, you will make progress. Watching
back with satisfaction at what you created will surely boost your
energy.
12.
Just Do It!
Once you get started on something, you'll almost always get into it and
keep going. If you still find motivation lacking, try getting started
on something else. Something trivial even, then you'll develop the
momentum to begin the more important stuff.
13.
Reward
Yourself. To keep yourself motivated, promise yourself something
special when you achieve your short term and long-term goals.
14.
Do
Something Enjoyable. Start the day by doing something that you like.
By getting your head in a happy place, you're putting yourself in a
better situation to want to get down to business when you're finished.
15.
Set
a Time Limit. There's nothing better than plain old pressure to
motivate someone. Set a time limit to help you stay on track. Watching a
clock countdown will give you the gusto to keep going in hopes that you
can beat it.
16.
Know
Yourself. Keep notes on when your motivation sucks and when you feel
like a superstar. There will be a pattern that, once you are aware of,
you can work around and develop.
17.
Don't
Aim For Perfection. Accepting that you can be "better" instead of
"perfect" leaves room for growth. And that means you have a reason to do
more. And that's what we usually call motivation, right?
18.
Stick
with it. Whatever you do, don't give up. Think of your goal as a long
journey, and your slump is just a little bump in the road. Stay with it
for the long term, ride out the ebbs and surf on the flows, and you'll
get there.
If you
only work when you feel motivated, you'll never be consistent enough to
become a success. But if you build small routines and patterns that
help you overcome the daily battles, then you'll continue the slow march
toward greatness.
http://www.standard.net/stories/2014/02/26/18-small-ways-get-motivated-out-slump
