Tip #1 - Drink a glass of cold water.
Dehydration can result in fatigue and mental fogginess, which sure doesn’t help your motivation. Before doing intensive mental or physical work, try drinking a glass of ice cold water and watch how it refreshes you. Also be sure to keep drinking plenty of water throughout the day. One glass of water won’t be enough for a body that is more than mildly dehydrated.
Tip #2 - Meditate.
Scattered thoughts can make any task seem more confusing or burdensome. Before beginning work on your objective, take 15 minutes to sit quietly and focus on nothing. Keep your mind as blank as possible and attune to the stillness within you. You may have to gently pull back your focus when it begins to wander, but avoid becoming frustrated about it. Simply keep readjusting your focus and stay calm, and you should feel centered and refreshed in just a few minutes.
Tip #3 - Create a worry box.
Nothing is more aggravating than trying to work productively and being nagged to death by worries! Instead of letting your worries take over your mind, create a worry box to keep them in. You can use any kind of box, from an empty shoe box to a decorative wooden or glass box. Write all of your current worries on a sheet of paper (or you can use a fresh sheet for each worry). When you can’t think of any other worries, put the sheet(s) of paper into the box, close it and store it away on a high shelf nearby. If worries begin to nag at you again while you’re trying to stay focused, glance at your worry box and remind yourself that you don’t have to worry about anything right now because you’ve placed your
worries in that box. Affirm that you can pick up your worries again later if you really want to.
Tip #4 - Empty your mind with free writing.
Similar to the worry box described above, you may have nagging thoughts that aren’t exactly worries but nevertheless irritate and distract you. Start your day by “pouring” all of them onto a sheet of paper. As you write your thoughts down (don’t worry about making them neat or orderly, just scribble them out), affirm that you are setting them aside so you can better focus on the task at hand. If you notice random thoughts nagging at you again later while working on your objectives, take another sheet of paper and repeat the process. Eventually you will train your mind to focus on the task at hand and let go of unnecessary random thoughts.
Tip #5 - Chronicle your journey.
Begin keeping a journal about your goals and dreams, or whatever you’re working on at the time. Be sure to write down your achievements, brainstorm ways to overcome obstacles, and record solutions that worked for you. When you feel in need of some motivation, go back and read a few pages of this chronicle and let it inspire you! It’s easy to forget how good a certain achievement made you feel at the time, and this is a good way to remind yourself that you are capable of more than you realize.
Tip #6 - Drink some tea or coffee.
While caffeine shouldn’t be relied upon for long-term energy, it can often help in a pinch because it has proven to be a mental stimulator. If you’re feeling foggy or sluggish, try drinking a cup
of tea or coffee and see if it helps (unless you have a condition that is aggravated by caffeine, obviously). However, try to avoid adding sugar, or drinking those sugar-laden caffeinated beverages. They may seem to help at first, but too much sugar will cause an energy crash later which can put you in a worse spot than you started in.
Tip #7 - Fuel your body.
Starting the day with a healthful breakfast can go a long way in providing your body and mind with adequate energy. Try to stick with lean protein and high-fiber complex carbohydrates, vegetables and fruit, along with limited amounts of healthy fats. Likewise, keep fueling your body throughout the day by eating small meals and snacks. This will help keep your blood sugar more level and contribute to more stable energy – which can give you the stamina to keep moving forward!
Tip #8 - Take a break.
Nothing results in burnout faster than pushing yourself too hard, too often, for too long! Sometimes we feel unmotivated simply because our bodies and minds are telling us “enough is enough!” Assess whether you need to motivate yourself, or if you simply need some downtime to recharge. If you’ve been burning the midnight oil too often lately, take some time off. Even a few hours of relaxation and fun will renew your motivation more effectively than any motivational techniques.
Tip #9 - Take a nap.
In today’s busy world, we often get far less sleep than we really need for optimal performance. If you’re feeling sleepy and heavy and can’t seem to concentrate, allow yourself 15-30 minutes for a cat nap. Not only can this renew your physical energy, it can clear your head and improve your concentration so you’ll get more done in less time.
Tip #10 - Smell something yummy.
Aromatherapy is a good way to stimulate your mind and body, or simply create a rush of pleasant feelings associated with certain scents. Try sniffing stimulating essential oils like peppermint, rosemary, cinnamon, lemon, or orange. If you don’t want to carry bottles of oil around with you, try putting a few drops of your favorite oil onto a handkerchief and keep it in a sealed zip baggie. When you need a little stimulation, simply open the bag, put your nose inside and inhale deeply. Yum!
Tip #11 - Chew peppermint gum.
Similar to the aromatherapy suggestion above, chewing peppermint gum can often give a little pep to your step. Not only does it taste good and freshen your breath, the action of consistently chewing can often keep you feeling more alert.
Tip #11 - Chew peppermint gum.
Similar to the aromatherapy suggestion above, chewing peppermint gum can often give a little pep to your step. Not only does it taste good and freshen your breath, the action of consistently chewing can often keep you feeling more alert.
Tip #12 - Get your blood pumping.
Go for a walk to clear your mind and invigorate your body! Even a short 10-minute walk can do wonders for a state of stagnation and lethargy. Take along your favorite music or motivational speaker with a headset, or simply enjoy the sounds of nature as you raise your heart rate and expand your lungs.
Tip #13 - Wash away your woes.
A brisk shower can be a powerful wake-up call for the sluggish mind and body. (Avoid baths because we often equate those with relaxation, not invigoration.) Try using a fresh-scent shower gel or turning the water cooler than you normally would. As you wash your hair and body, scrub vigorously to stimulate your skin and imagine the water sluicing feelings of fatigue or lethargy off your body and down the drain.
Tip #14 - Oxygenate your brain.
Deep breathing provides all kinds of positive benefits for your mind and body. Besides delivering a boost of oxygen to your brain and other internal organs, it helps you feel calmer, less stressed, and more alert. Start by finding a quiet place to relax, then close your eyes and start inhaling slowly through your nose. Feel your abdomen expand first; then expand your chest as your lungs fill with air. When your lungs are full, pause for 3 to 5 seconds and then s-l-o-w-l-y exhale through your mouth, making a “shhhhh” noise as you do so. When you have completely exhaled the air from your lungs, pause for a few seconds again and then slowly inhale using the same expansion technique (belly first, then chest). Pause and exhale as described above. Repeat this process for 5 to 10 breaths (do it slowly so you don’t hyperventilate!) and you should immediately feel very relaxed and clear-headed…yet invigorated!
Tip #15 - Clear out the clutter.
Few things can make us feel as sluggish and confused as physical clutter can! If you can’t seem to find the motivation to get moving, grab a trash bag and an egg timer and set the timer for 15 minutes. Spend this time tossing out as much junk as you can. Get rid of empty food containers, unneeded notes and paperwork, empty envelopes, empty glasses or bottles, etc. Create a separate pile for anything that needs to be filed or sorted, and move it to another location. Don’t keep it within view unless it looks neat and orderly. After just 15 minutes of doing this, you should feel much more energized and clear-headed, ready to get started on any important tasks.
Tip #16 - Just begin.
It’s the start of any objective that is often the hardest for most of us, because we convince ourselves the task will be unpleasant or boring. However, you can trick yourself into believing that you’re only going to work on it for a few minutes. Grab that egg timer and set it for 15 minutes again. Promise yourself you can stop working after 15 minutes if you want to, but you have to work at least that long. Most often, after the 15 minutes are up, you’re already “in the groove” so you don’t want to stop!
Tip #17 - Push yourself harder.
If you think it will take an hour to finish a particular task or goal, make it your mission to finish it in 30 minutes. If you think you’re capable of a certain amount of productivity, push yourself to increase that output by at least half. Most of us have a terrible habit of coddling and pampering ourselves rather than pushing ourselves to be better and do better. Deciding to take it to the next
level can motivate you to keep doing that and blast through any feelings of procrastination.
Tip #18 - Dress to the nines.
We often equate casual dress with more relaxed activities, so if you’re trying to accomplish something – dress up! Put on a business suit or somewhat formal outfit, including shoes and socks (or pantyhose). Do your hair, shave, and put on cologne or perfume – whatever you would normally do for a social or business event. This gets your mind into action mode and clears away any tendency to slack off.
Tip #19 - Visualize the end result.
We usually avoid working hard or pushing ourselves just for the sake of doing so, but if you focus on a positive benefit to completing your tasks you’ll feel more inclined to work on them. Set aside 10 minutes before you begin and imagine how you’ll feel when the job is done. Allow yourself to feel the feelings you’ll experience when you’ve accomplished what you set out to do – whether it’s satisfaction, pride, happiness, excitement, or simple relief. This gets the good feelings flowing and motivates you to do what it takes to create that experience “for real.”
Tip #20 - Give yourself a pep talk.
Sometimes our inner monologue is filled with negativity, which can reduce our desire to do anything. For example, you might have an inner recording telling you that working on your goals is a waste of time because you simply don’t have what it takes to succeed (you might not even be consciously aware of such a
recording). If you counter that with a positive pep talk, it can give you the motivation to get moving. Imagine that you had to motivate your best friend. What would you say to him or her? Say those very same things to yourself and let yourself get inspired!
Tip #21 - S-t-r-e-t-c-h.
If you feel tense and irritable, stretching your body can do wonders for your mood. Take just a few minutes to warm up your muscles by marching in place or taking a short walk. Then take your time stretching your muscles very gently, holding each stretch for a few seconds. Start with your face and neck, and work your way down to your toes. As you work each area, imagine all stress and tension leaving your body, and a new sense of peace and happiness flowing in to replace it.
Tip #22 - Create a contest.
One great way to push yourself to do more than you feel inspired to do is to create a contest for yourself! Imagine you’re in a competition with other people, each of you trying to do more than the others. You can even take it to the next level by not only trying to accomplish a greater amount of work, you can also focus on making your work the best it’s ever been, or doing it in the least amount of time it’s ever taken you. This can create a feeling of urgency and fun that will keep you moving long after you ordinarily would have given up.
Tip #23 - Dance.
If you’re feeling bored or tired, turn on the tunes and boogey your lethargy away! Sing along with the lyrics or simply move your
body and get some good endorphins flowing. You can even combine this with Tip #15 and dance while you’re cleaning and organizing. Then you’ve got a “productive boogey!”
Tip #24 - Make a to-do list.
Sometimes confusion can cause a desire to procrastinate because your tasks seem to be too numerous and overwhelming. To combat this, take a sheet of paper and make a detailed list of everything you want to accomplish today. You can list them in order of priority, or categorize like tasks together. As you review your list, think about ways you can cut the time each task might take, or shortcuts that would enable you to tackle more than one thing at a time. In no time you should be feeling more focused and ready to begin.
Tip #25 - Pray.
If you’re the spiritual type, why not spend a few minutes connecting to your source before you begin a challenging task? Give thanks for the opportunities in your life, and ask for the inspiration, courage and stamina to do a good job. This can help you feel that you’ve got a powerful ally on your side and reduce any feelings of fear or loneliness.
Tip #26 - Surround yourself with inspiration.
Do you have some favorite plaques, prints or paintings that make you feel inspired? Fill up your blank walls with them! Visit a flea market or home décor store for visuals that lift your spirits. Go to a stock photo site and download a few beautiful images and have them blown up into a larger size at your local photo place. Take
some of your favorite motivational quotes, enlarge the type, print and hang them up to read whenever you need a little boost. Hanging inspiring words and images in your home and workplace can create a continuous focus on inspiration that will keep you feeling motivated no matter what you’re working on.
Tip #27 - Spend time in nature.
Sometimes just sitting quietly in a peaceful place outdoors can soothe frustration and refresh your mind and body. Go to your favorite botanical gardens for an hour and sit quietly or walk slowly through them, letting the visual beauty stimulate your senses. Visit a local park and watch children and dogs play, or take a trip to the beach and let the power of the ocean (or a lake) inspire you. If you don’t have any nature spots nearby, try your local home and garden center. Buy some new plants or flowers to brighten up your home and workspace.
Tip #28 - Get up early.
Getting an early start can often help you feel more motivated, especially if you’re used to sleeping in. Set an alarm clock to get up at least one hour before you normally do, and don’t dawdle – get moving! Take a shower, get dressed and begin immediately working on your tasks for the day. Not only does this wake up your tired brain, you end up feeling like you’ve accomplished a lot more than you would in a typical day.
Tip #29 - Stay up late.
If you’re an early riser and not used to burning the midnight oil, try saving a complex task for late in the evening. Just switching your normal routine can often be enough to energize and inspire you.
Tip #30 - Wear a symbol of intention.
Go through your belongings and choose an item that you can wear as a motivation symbol (or go shopping and buy something new). It could be anything from a lucky shirt to a favorite hat, to a cherished piece of jewelry that you rarely wear. Hold a little ceremony that designates that item as your “motivation symbol.” State aloud that while you are wearing this item, you will always feel very motivated, very inspired, and very productive. Then be sure to put it on every time you feel in need of some motivation. Eventually your mind will make a connection between that item and the feelings of motivation and you’ll be able to effortlessly slip into a motivated mind-set just by putting on your motivation symbol.
Tip #31 - Weed your garden, weed your mind.
If you have a garden, spend 30 minutes weeding it. As you do so, imagine also weeding out negative thoughts and procrastination from your mind. (If you don’t have an actual garden, simply walk around your yard – you’ll probably still find plenty of weeds! If you don’t have a yard of your own, you can instead make this a mental exercise done during meditation; it will still work just as well.) Affirm that with every weed you pull, you are making room for motivation and inspiration to enter your life. When you’re finished, look at the pile of weeds and feel great about removing them from your life as you dump them into the trimmings barrel or
trash receptacle. Then go about working on your tasks for the day, and notice that you feel lighter and less burdened.
Tip #32 - Give yourself a reward.
Make a promise to yourself that you can have a reward when you reach a certain point in your objectives. Make the reward something you’ll really enjoy, like a new DVD or CD, or a new journal. It doesn’t have to be expensive either, it can be as simple as a few hours to relax and do something you love. However, be sure to follow through and really give yourself the reward when you complete what you set out to do! Don’t fool yourself into believing it was just a trick to get you moving; your mind will remember that little deception next time.
Tip #33 - Avoid doom and gloom.
This tip may take a little longer to show results, but it is well worth the effort! Beginning today, start reducing the amount of time you are exposed to negativity. Whether that means not watching the evening news for awhile or avoiding toxic people in your life, it’s important to begin switching your focus to more positive input. If you have to scan the headlines at a news website once a day and read only the things you feel you must know about, that’s fine. Just avoid getting immersed in the sludge every day if you can. Over time, this will automatically make you feel more motivated because you won’t be so weighed down by the horrible things happening in the world around you. You can’t do much about them anyway, so why burden yourself with them?
Tip #34 - Do a good deed.
Avoiding doom and gloom is a good start, but you can make even greater strides if you do nice things for others as frequently as possible. Make financial donations to charitable organizations, or volunteer some time for a worthy cause. Even better is if you can do these things anonymously. There is no greater feeling than doing something kind without a single possibility of compensation or recognition. Talk about an emotional and mental high! Just one of these acts can make you feel more motivated than you’ve felt in a long time, but if you keep doing them on a regular basis the benefits begin to accumulate and you intensify the feelings even more.
Tip #35 - All you need is love.
You know how love can make you feel all fluttery and happy inside? Get those feelings to flow for the project you’re doing! Even if you don’t love it initially, take some time to think about what the project or task means to you, and the benefits you’ll gain from it. Let yourself begin to feel excited and emotional about it, and in no time you should be feeling ready to get moving.
Tip #36 - Love yourself.
If loving your project or task isn’t creating the warm fuzzy feelings you seek, why not try loving yourself for a change? Especially if you’ve tried the drill sergeant approach and it turns out that strong-arming yourself into getting motivated just isn’t working, try loving yourself into action! Take a few minutes to admire something about yourself. Write a list of your best attributes and skills, and affirm your ability to do a great job with your current
objective. Sometimes a little positive reinforcement goes a long way!
Tip #37 - Try a different approach.
If you’re procrastinating on one specific task because it seems overwhelming or unpleasant, take a few minutes to figure out a new plan of action. Maybe you need to break down a larger goal into smaller ones, or you can try approaching the task from a different angle than the one you initially decided on. Sometimes just switching things around can be enough to break you out of a rut of boredom or fear paralysis.
Tip #38 - Check your expectations.
Are you holding back because you fear a negative outcome? Sometimes we convince ourselves that certain goals are a waste of time, even if we really want to achieve them. Most often we have an underlying belief that we don’t have what it takes to achieve our objectives, or we fear that we might make the wrong decision and screw it up. Take a few minutes to explore your feelings about your potential for success. If you’re not feeling optimistic, work on turning that around first and you’ll notice yourself feeling more motivated the more you affirm you can do anything you set out to do.
Tip #39 – Clean your car.
Did you know that your car is a symbol for movement and progress in your life? If your car is dirty, cluttered or in disrepair, take some time to clean it up. Wash the outside, clean the inside, and remove trash or items that don’t belong there. Clean the
windows to symbolize greater clarity and foresight, and be sure to vacuum the carpets and seats to suck up stagnant energy. Symbolism aside, the physical activity you expend by cleaning can also help you feel more invigorated.
Tip #40 – Read or watch something funny.
Laughter is the best medicine, even for an unmotivated mind. Take a few minutes at the beginning of your day (or before starting a big project) to read a funny book, jokes, or watch a 30 minute sitcom on television. Not only does your body benefit from frequent laughter, you’ll also be lightening your mood which is bound to have a positive effect on anything you do.
Tip #41 – Play a game.
Just like laughter, playfulness can boost your mood and energize your body. If none of your friends or relatives are available to play a game with you, play by yourself! If more than one player is necessary, keep switching your position so you can play against yourself. If nothing else, doing this will make you feel so silly that you can’t help but have a good time.
Tip #42 – Play with your children and/or pets.
Keeping with the “fun” theme here, you can also set aside some time to goof around with your children or family pets and enjoy the same benefits described above. However, be sure to really let go and get into the spirit of it; pretending to have a good time while feeling stressed about the work you “should” be doing won’t accomplish anything.
Tip #43 – Listen to mind-stimulating music.
You’ve probably heard that listening to Mozart can enhance your brain power, but experiment with what type of music really fuels your motivation. Browse selections that you ordinarily wouldn’t be drawn to, and pay attention to how each type of music makes you feel. You might be surprised to learn that country music makes you feel reflective and insightful, which works well for brainstorming sessions; or opera makes you feel inspired, which helps pump you up for productivity. Also check out alternative music like Native American flute, or experiment with soothing nature sounds like whale songs, wind chimes, bird song, babbling brooks, or anything that would soothe and inspire you.
Tip #44 – Tackle the most difficult tasks first.
You might be dreading getting started on a difficult task, and procrastination can only make your dread worse! Instead, take charge and decide to conquer that one big task you hate to do – and the rest of your day will be smooth sailing.
Tip #45 – Warm up by taking care of the easy stuff first.
If you just can’t get yourself to tackle that big, foreboding project, work on some smaller tasks first so you can warm up to the bigger ones. Depending on your personality and current mood, you might feel ready to take on a big challenge, or you might want to start with a smaller one. Either way, you’ll get moving – and that’s the whole point!
Tip #46 – Review and refine your plans.
Confusion and uncertainty can often cause you to resist taking action, even when you really want to. If you feel nervous or overwhelmed about the tasks before you, take a few minutes to review your plans. Ask yourself if you’ve created an achievable plan, or if you can improve upon it in any way. Once you’re sure your plans are effective, you should find yourself feeling much more confident and ready to move ahead.
Tip #47 – Color me motivated!
Did you know that certain colors can affect your moods? If you’re feeling down or disempowered, try wearing the color red to boost your confidence. You can also try yellow for mental clarity and intelligence, or orange for mental stimulation and energy. (If you’re tense try light blue, green, pink, or white for a calming effect.)
Tip #48 – “Lighten” up.
If you’d rather not wear your colors, try lighting colored candles that correspond to the mood you want to create (same colors as mentioned above). You can also go with scented candles: try bold scents for motivation like cinnamon, lemon, orange, or peppermint. For calming scents try lavender, gardenia, apple, rose or vanilla.
Tip #49 – Gather your energy.
Sometimes no matter how badly we need to get motivated, we just can’t find that inner spark. Try this short visualization and watch how it energizes you: Sit quietly with your feet flat on the floor
and take a few slow, deep breaths. Imagine a large funnel over the top of your head, the narrow end closest to your head, with the larger funnel side opening up above you. See a brilliant golden light streaming down into your funnel and into the top of your head. Feel this light as powerful energy that courses down through every part of your body, soothing away sluggish feelings, and finally leaving through the soles of your feet and returning to the earth. Go through this visualization a few times, and then slowly open your eyes. You should feel clear and grounded, and ready to focus on the business at hand.
Tip #50 – Think about your past achievements.
If you’re feeling uncertain about your ability to accomplish a big task, take a few moments to remember other things you’ve achieved in your lifetime. Even if they wouldn’t be considered big achievements to others, if they were difficult for you they count! Think also about challenges you’ve faced, and how you did what you had to do to pull through them. Let these memories inspire you to greater heights now – knowing that if you were able to do those things in your past, you are capable of much more than you think.
Tip #51 – Eliminate distractions.
If you’re feeling scattered and unfocused, try working in a secluded spot, closing the door for some quiet, or even wearing earplugs to shut out excessive noise. Once the distractions are gone, you might find your motivation increasing and your determination returning.
Tip #52 – Remember your “why.”
It’s easy to stay motivated when our reasons for wanting to improve our lives are fresh in our minds, but motivation can dissipate as time goes on. Write down your reasons for wanting to make positive changes or pursue greater goals. Read them to yourself often to keep them fresh in your mind, and review them when you need a mental or emotional boost.
Tip #53 – Read something inspirational.
Nowadays there is no shortage of inspiring reading material available for purchase. Visit your local bookstore and get a few books with motivational themes and make a point of reading a few pages before you start your day. When you feel unmotivated, open one of these books randomly and let your finger fall blindly onto a passage from the book. Read that passage and let it speak to you. Does it hold a message that relates to your situation?
Tip #54 – Call a friend for support.
If you’ve got a friend or two who support you in your goals, give them a call! Tell them you’re having trouble getting started (or keeping momentum) and you need a kick in the rear. Tell them to remind you what you are working so hard for, and how excited you sounded the last time you spoke to them. This will only work with friends who do support you – not dream stealers. Alternatively, you could visit your favorite online forum and ask for support – as long as you know it’s a place where most people are supportive. (Disregard any negative comments and remember that there is always a troublemaker or two hanging around forums!)
Tip #55 – Expand your vision.
If you find yourself constantly needing to get motivated to work on your dream or goal, you might question whether it’s right for you any longer. Have you outgrown the original vision you had? If you conceived your dream or set your goal years ago, you might need to rethink what you want and see if you can expand on your original dream. You can even start from scratch if your original plans no longer inspire passion; you are a different person than you were even a year ago! Come up with something that you won’t have to work so hard to get motivated to do, and you solve not only your immediate need, but long-term needs also.
Tip #56 – Watch less television.
Watching television can be a relaxing pastime, but it can also begin to suck your brain out through your eyeballs with excessive use. Okay, that may be a slight exaggeration – but you can’t deny that too much television makes you feel tired and spacey. Limit your television-watching to a few shows per week; just the ones you REALLY want to see. Don’t keep channel-surfing mindlessly because you’re bored! If you’re bored, get up and do something else. Read something that will get your mind working again, or go out and do something physical. Within a few days of cutting down the amount of time you spend staring blankly at that screen, you’ll notice that you feel much more energetic, and probably more positive too (depending on the type of programming you’re used to watching).
Tip #57 – Try something new.
It’s easy to feel lethargic when we get caught in the same routine day after day. Our minds need new experiences in order to stay
sharp and clear, and since much of our energy level is related to our thoughts it’s no wonder that boring routines lead to feeling stagnant and unmotivated. In order to break out of this rut, make it your mission to try something new at least once a week (once a day is even better). Visit a new city (even if it’s somewhat local); go to a museum and gaze at great works of art; take a class at your local community college or adult education center; buy a book on painting or sketching and develop a new talent; sign up for dance classes; or join a singles club in your area. Whatever you do, don’t allow yourself to sink into a daily grind. Invigorate your life, invigorate your sense of motivation!
Tip #58 – Strive for excellence.
If you’ve been focusing on just “getting stuff done,” of course you feel unmotivated! There seems to be no obvious payoff from your action steps. This is especially true if you are working on a long-term goal or a very big project that will take time to show results. Instead, commit yourself to excellence in everything you do and watch how it elevates your sense of pride and satisfaction. The better you get at each task you accomplish, the more motivated you will be to keep a high level of quality in everything you do.
Tip #59 – Ingest some bite-sized motivation frequently.
Motivational quotes are a great way to keep yourself feeling excited and passionate no matter what you’re working on – or just to boost your mood before you start each day. As described in Tip #26, you can print your favorite quotes and hang them on the walls, or simply keep a book of motivational quotes nearby and read a few when you need a boost. Two of my favorite quote books: The Book of Positive Quotations by John Cook (Fairview Press, 1993. ISBN: 1-57749-053-3); and The Wise and Witty
Quote Book by Allen Klein (Gramercy Books, 2005. ISBN: 0-517-22615-4).
Tip #60 – Get passionate!
Sometimes we just need a little inner fire before we can get motivated. What makes you feel passionate? Whether you need to recommit yourself to your goal or find something new that takes your breath away, do what you can to get your heart beating faster and apply that passion to your goals and projects.
Tip #61 – Get angry or desperate!
If you’ve ever been fueled by anger, you remember how easily you were propelled into action! Likewise, desperation can often serve as a powerful motivator. Decide that you can’t stand your current circumstances any longer and decide that you will do whatever it takes to change them. Use your strong feelings of anger or desperation to keep you moving long after you would have ordinarily quit.
Tip #62 – Get determined!
Sometimes all it takes to get and stay motivated is to set our minds to do something. If you refuse to be held back by obstacles and refuse to buy into excuses and vow to push through anything that threatens to hold you back, how can you possibly NOT make good things happen? It works!
Tip #63 – Get aggressive!
This tip goes along with the previous 3, and uses the same type of strong emotion to fuel your efforts. Most of us start out aggressively pursuing our dreams but then lose steam as time goes on. Either we encounter obstacles that stop us in our tracks, or our determination begins to falter. Reclaim your aggressive approach – especially as it relates to obstacles. Instead of letting challenges deter you, make a promise to yourself that you will tackle each challenge with intense aggression. The more forceful you are with setbacks and delays, the more you’ll realize they hold no power over you or your results.
Tip #64 – Accomplish something . . . anything.
The problem with feeling unmotivated is that it tends to spread to other areas of our lives too. We may start out procrastinating on one task, and then find ourselves sinking into a pit of inertia in everything else. To overcome this trend, simply commit to completing one task. Just one! It can be a large or small task, depending on how confident you feel. Once you’ve accomplished one thing, you’ll find it much easier to keep going and work on other tasks and goals.
Tip #65 – Simplify, simplify and simplify some more.
If you’re trying to take on too much at once, you may end up feeling burned out and uninspired. Instead, try breaking down large goals and eliminating redundancy. See if you can create some simple shortcuts, and determine whether you might be making things more difficult than they have to be. The less complex you can make your plans, the more likely you are to feel bold and confident as you attempt each phase of them.
Tip #66 – Focus on one thing at a time.
Closely related to overwhelming plans is the tendency to juggle multiple tasks or goals at once. While it’s sometimes necessary to do so, make a habit of trying to focus on the least amount of items at a time as you can. You may need to come up with a strict schedule to fit everything in, but by focusing your energy in this way each step of your journey should seem simple and easily attainable.
Tip #67 – Forget perfection!
If there’s one sure way to feel overwhelmed and paralyzed by fear, it’s by trying to achieve perfection right from the get-go. No matter how badly you might want to effortlessly create a shining example of beauty and wonder in the world, it is almost impossible to do it the first time around. More often, you’ll gain in mastery the more you do something - and it can take months or years to become truly great at something. Be okay with this! Rather than striving for perfection the first time around, commit to continuously improving your skills and abilities. Commit to doing something as many times as it takes to get really good at it. Before you know it you’ll be better than you thought you could ever be.
Tip #68 – Do it for the satisfaction.
Rather than pinning your hopes on some future outcome, get hooked on the sense of satisfaction you get from every step you take. Let each action be its own reward, and you’ll never lose motivation.
Tip #69 – Read success stories.
One excellent way to motivate yourself is to read success stories about people who have accomplished what you are trying to accomplish. Whether you’re trying to lose a few pounds or write the next great American novel – there is probably someone out there who has done it. Do an internet search for “(your objective) success stories” and see what comes up. Also search for internet forums where you can chat with others who are working toward similar goals.
Tip #70 – Choose a role model.
Is there a famous person you’d like to emulate, or perhaps a successful person in your own life that you admire? Let them be your role model! Ask if you can interview them if it’s someone you know, or collect stories and published interviews about celebrity role models. Read through this material every day and especially if you need a motivational boost.
Tip #71 – Watch your language.
If you’re in the habit of putting yourself down or belittling your abilities (even in a joking manner), stop it! You may not think it matters, and in fact you may think it’s funny to make fun of yourself – but these messages get embedded into your subconscious and they WILL have an effect on you eventually. Instead, start building yourself up with positive talk, even if it feels strange at first. Keep affirming that you are capable of accomplishing anything you wish, even if you aren’t yet great at it.
