Guest post on behalf of: Claudia Grimm of stepsofimpact.com
With every “up” in life, there seems to be a “down.” Most of the time the “down” is a lack of motivation. Let’s say you’re trying to lose 10 pounds. You drop the first 3 in a couple of weeks and get excited! Good job! Next comes the surprise temptations to eat the cupcake and not work out for a few days because hey, you’ve been doing so well.
A week and a half goes by.
And you’ve gained the 3 pounds back.
Where did your motivation go? A lot of times we feel like we can conquer the world with an idea but taking action is the challenge. More importantly, maintaining the action. How to motivate yourself every day means putting in a tiny bit of work here and there to stay on track with your goals. Let’s see the top 10 ways to stay motivated.
Top 10 Ways on How to Motivate Yourself Every Day
- Set long-term goals for yourself.
- Make a motto list.
- Learn how to say no to toxicity.
- Have morning routines.
- Lean on your support team.
- Visualize.
- Create a vision board.
- Work on healthy habits.
- Be mindful.
- Follow your interests.
…
- Set Long-Term Goals for Yourself
Are you ready to make some goals happen?!
Number 1 on the list is the first step, of course. In order to stay inspired, you have to shoot for something long-term. So, write a list of items you want to accomplish in the next 3-10 years. Here’s a goal-setting guide to get you started. Remember, aim for goals that you can more or less enjoy the journey instead of the destination.
- Make a Motto List
“Go where you are celebrated, not where you are tolerated.”
Keeping a list of motivational mottos/quotes can help you in ANY situation. I got a new job recently as a plant maintenance technician. At one of my sites, I accidentally overwatered a pothos plant, sprinted to grab towels and mopped up the mess just in time to avoid water damage at this fancy high-rise apartment…lesson learned, right? But my motto was “It’s a small thing.” Because a year from now I may not remember it so why stress?
I have a special gift for those who like quotes to help get them through the day and keep the motivation up!
Free Motivational Motto Booklet
- Learn How to Say No to Toxicity
Saying no can be really healthy. We say yes to things to try to fit in because we crave social approval. But by saying yes to too many things, you can negatively affect your health. So, prioritize your needs for the day, and you will be less tempted to give in to unhealthy surprises. This also means saying no to friends and family, not simply material items. If you don’t have the time for them, learn how to say no.
- Have Morning Routines
So many success stories come with having routines, especially in the morning. Some of the happiest, most stress-free, and even richest people start their mornings with time to enjoy activities they love. This could be exercise, meditation, coffee, or a walk. Start by jotting down 5 joys that bring out the best in you and then slowly incorporate them into your self-care morning routine. You might have to get up earlier, but it’s worth it for one of the best ways on how to motivate yourself every day!
- Lean on Your Support Team
Don’t know who your support team is? Pick a few of the closest people you know and see how they benefit your life among the 5 types of trust. Do they solve your issues or have strong opinions? Do they care about your well-being? Identifying who your support system is can greatly enhance your motivation because other people can help you get through tough times or simply give you the boost of energy you needed!
- Visualize
The power of visualization is a little dangerous. I say this because you can do anything you set your mind to if you utilize visualization tactics, so be careful what you wish for.
To visualize, get in a comfortable position, close your eyes and imagine yourself going through a step toward your goal for the day. If it’s to lose those 10 pounds, imagine eating specific healthy meals, getting a certain workout in, and whatever else you have on the menu for the day. And then go do those things!
For more, The Law of Attraction website goes into detail on the origins of visualization and examples of what it is used for.
- Create a Vision Board
Think collage-making in elementary school. Similar to visualization, creating a vision board can help with tangible reassurance. Take a corkboard or back of a hanging picture frame and add whatever motivates you. These could be inspirational quotes, images of role models, and/or gifts that have brought you joy. By seeing these each day, you can remind yourself of what it would be like to achieve your goals.
- Work on Healthy Habits
To become motivated about something, it has to have meaning to you personally. With that being said, are you interested in creating better habits? Not only maintaining but improving your health? Hopefully yes because the more we incorporate healthy habits for today, tomorrow, and so on, the healthier our state of mind becomes which means the more motivation we can uphold.
- Be Mindful
Do you know what mindfulness is? Not everyone does but the word is passed around like girlscout cookies. Being mindful is being present in the current moment; it’s awareness.
Being aware means fully engaging in what’s in front of you. If you’re on a walk and you stop to look at a squirrel in the tree, examine the squirrel. What hue of brown or black is it? Does it have food in its mouth? By honing in on the details, you eliminate frivolous thoughts from entering your mind. You can also learn how to meditate through mindfulness which curates positivity, motivation, and gratitude. Healthy mind, healthy habits.
- Follow Your Interests
If you aren’t sure where to start, try making a list of your interests and passions. By following paths in life that hold your interests, it means you will be in your best atmosphere. This, in turn, is highly motivating because you’re doing what you want to do! For example, if you love candles, try signing up for a candle-making class and bring a friend. It helps to spontaneously sign up for interest-based activities or jobs in advance so you have plans to look forward to (future motivation!).
Thanks for reading! Want more on how to motivate yourself every day? Lookout for Ideaspired, the book.