Even the most motivated people experience energy slumps from time to time. Getting excited about something new is usually easy, but staying motivated when you aren’t quite feeling it can be harder.
Being motivated clarifies your goals, sets your priorities and leaves you feeling more successful. However, motivation rarely comes naturally or easily. Although it can be tough, it’s important to try and find motivation that works for you. With the right tools and support, you can work on boosting your motivation, even when you’re feeling less than inspired!
Get (and stay) Motivated
There’s no ‘one size fits all’ for switching on your motivation. However, there are a few strategies you can use to help you achieve your goals.
Find your inspiration
Finding inspiration is one of the best ways you can get excited about your goals. Remembering why you’re working so hard for something will help focus your attention and reignite your passion. Read over your goals and connect back to why you want to achieve them so much.
While study and homework can sometimes feel like the last thing you want to do after a full day of school, think about where it can take you. Keep that end goal in your mind, even when you’re not feeling too excited about school.
Try reading uplifting stories or listen to a podcast about people you admire doing amazing things. Inspiring people sharing their inspiring stories will positively shift your mood and get you back on track.
Revisit your goals
Your goals need to reflect what you really want out of life. By regularly revisiting and evaluating your goals, you’re making sure you’re really driven to achieve them. If your ambitions change, make sure they’re reflected in your goals – this will help to keep your motivation levels high.
Take it one step at a time
A lack of motivation can also happen if you’ve got too many things going on a once. When revisiting your goals, make sure you’re focusing your attention on a couple of things at any one time.
Remember, you’re only human – there are only so many things you can do each day. Trying to do too much will only stress you out, affecting your motivation even more.
Use positive talk
Don’t get down on yourself if you’re not feeling motivated. Being kind to yourself can have a huge impact on your mental health. When negative thoughts do come up, try squashing them with positive talk. Simply replacing a negative thought like, ‘I can’t do this’ with, ‘Yes, I can! I’ve got this’, can make all the difference.
Reward yourself
Depending on what your end goals are, there will be baby steps you need to complete along the way. Every time you reach a mini milestone, reward yourself! Buy yourself a little treat, indulge in an extra hour of Netflix or simply take a moment to step outside and enjoy the sunshine. Rewarding yourself helps put large goals into perspective and energises you to reach the next step.
Get support
It’s hard to accomplish something by yourself. Having a solid support network can help you stay on task and pick you up when you’re not feeling your best. Try joining a class or finding a mentor who has experience you’d love to learn from. Everyone needs a cheer squad. Use yours to give you a motivation boost when you need it most.
Read more on headspace.