By Jade Parker
We all have them, those days that it’s hard to crawl out from under the covers because we want the world to disappear. But the world continues and so must we. There are papers to write, bills to pay, and dreams to conquer.
When I find motivation difficult, there are seven tips I pull from my toolbox. These tips help me refocus and get moving. I hope they will do the same for you.
1. Today Counts
It sounds so cliché, but it’s true. We are only given so many days, and I want each one to count. Small tasks I do today add up over time in the achievement of my dreams. Remembering this is sometimes all I need to keep going.
2. Get Moving
Get the blood flowing and the brain thinking. When I’m experiencing writer’s block, I open a document and begin typing anything. It could be a letter to a friend, a journal entry from the day before, or even re-typing a news article. The point is sitting and staring at the wall is non-productive. It doesn’t do anything. The simple act of moving my fingers across the keyboard is a warm-up for my brain, and suddenly the words I needed all along are discovered.
3. Fake It ‘Till You Believe It
Train yourself to believe in your goals. Self-doubt is crippling. Here are a few ways to find confidence in yourself:
- Stand/Sit up straight. Good posture can improve the brain’s function, mood, and memory levels.
- Be optimistic. Focus on the positive. Negativity sends an ‘I can’t do this’ message to yourself. Focus on how you have succeeded and how amazing it will be to accomplish this next goal.
- Dress the part. Dressing for success is visualizing the results. Sometimes all I need is a good hot shower.
- Smile more. Smiling sends messages to your brain that will make you feel better. Even fake smiles positively enhance your brain chemistry.
4. Create an Encouraging Environment
What and whom we surround ourselves with has a significant impact on how we see the world.
Surround yourself with others who believe in your goals. This can be a mixture of friends and professionals. Find mentors who are willing to work with you. When you get stuck, particularly in your writing, there are many great services that will help you reach your goals.
Create a workspace that inspires you. This will require some vision casting and a clear idea of where you are headed. Find encouraging images and quotes to hang in your office or right above your computer. Is there an award you have recently received that you are particularly proud of? Hang it where you will see it every day as a reminder that you are well on your way.
5. Remember Why You Started
When a goal is a dream it is inspirational; there is excitement that we sometimes lose along the journey. Remember why you started on this path in the first place. Spend some time focusing on how it felt when you first began. Ask yourself the following:
- What was the reason I chose to pursue this goal?
- Am I still on the same path or did I sidetrack somewhere along the way?
- Is this still my dream or has it adapted?
- If it’s adapted, did I veer off in a direction I want to go or do I need to refocus on the original dream?
6. Take a Break, Recharge
Energy is an important part of the motivation. Sometimes our bodies just need rest. Step away for a few moments from the project at hand, take a walk, go for a swim, paint, or even take a nap.
Goals are long term. They aren’t sprints but marathons. Pace yourself accordingly and listen to the needs of your body. Sometimes the mind works faster than the body is capable of producing. Know your limitations and do not become discouraged by them. By taking proper care of yourself, you will be more likely to reach the finish line.
7. Read
Learning from the triumphs and mistakes of others is one of the most valuable things you can do with your time. Whenever I am stuck and cannot move forward (regardless of the above tips), I pull out a book and read.
Reading puts me in a creative mindset. The words and actions of others spur my imagination forward. Sometimes I pick up a book on the subject at hand to gain insight, but even a book on a completely different topic brings me motivation. Well-written books spur me towards bettering my work and myself while poorly written books remind me that I’m not doing so bad myself.
Motivation = Mindset
Loss of motivation is nothing more than mindset. By changing your mindset and developing tools to inspire you daily, you will reach your goals.
I’ve shared 7 of my tips on overcoming the loss of motivation. What tips would you add? Is there something you do on days you just want to pull the covers over your head but can’t? What one thing will you do today to change your mindset?
Jade Parker creates content for marketing purposes and has her hands full with projects. She is a writer for assignment masters. Her primary focus is academic content, but she also likes to explore other ways that turn writing into a profitable profession. She’s always ready to share insights that help writers succeed.
