How to Motivate Yourself
How to Motivate Yourself - Self Motivation Tips
Self motivation or personal motivation is a force, strength or power within you that pushes you to take action and go after your goals and dreams. It is also the drive that makes you do the things that you don't want or don't like to do such as exercising, cleaning the house and studying.
Lack of motivation stops you from starting something or continuing what you have started even though you are aware that you should and must do it. There are several factors and reasons that can cause you to lose your motivation. This article provides tips for motivating yourself and how to stay motivated.
How to Motivate Yourself No. 1 - Have a Clear and Defined Goal
This may sound like a cliché. But having a strong and passionate desire to have, do or become is a powerful force that will push you to take action. If your goal doesn't motivate you, it could mean that you have not stated enough reasons why you want it. Go back and go through your written goal and revise it. Ask yourself a lot of "why" questions.
When you have a very strong reason or motive, it inevitably will help you fight your fears and self doubt. You will feel compelled to take some kind of positive action even if you don't feel like it.
How to Motivate Yourself No. 2 - Remember and Recall Your Objective
Whenever you recall or remind yourself the reasons why you have set the goal, it helps push you to go on. Use the pain vs pleasure principle to push and motivate yourself. Whenever you don't feel like taking action, think of how you would feel if you remain fat, broke, messed up and unhappy. And imagine how you will live your live and feel the accompanying emotions if you have achieved your goal.
Remind yourself of your goal or desire by looking at your vision board in which you have cut and pasted pictures or images of what you would like to have and experience. Or watch your mind movies on your computer screen to stimulate and drive you to move. This exercise is best done before you sleep and upon awakening in the morning.
Use your creative imagination to picture the end result of your dream. Visualize this picture in great detail every morning, night and at every opportunity. Whenever you feel down and uninspired, bring this picture up. Visualization is also a great tool to help you form a new self image and thus replace your limiting beliefs and fears.
Rewrite your goal or look at it if you have it written it on a card or on a piece of paper to remind you of your objective. Do this whenever you feel that you are losing focus.
How to Motivate Yourself No. 3 - Keep Your Thoughts Positive
Your thoughts are powerful and they grow larger when you dwell upon them. Think positive and develop high expectations. Your mind will attract to you the people and situations that will help you move closer to your goal.
Pause at regular intervals to check on what you are thinking, feeling and picturing in your mind. When you catch yourself thinking negative or disempowering thoughts, make a conscious effort to replace them immediately with empowering thoughts and remind yourself of your goal.
Your self talk or inner critic will interfere and try to sabotage your efforts especially if you don't see progress or if challenges get in your way. Write down several positive affirmations, read them or say to yourself as many times as you can when the negative talks and thoughts arise.
Whenever you feel frustrated, recall a previous successful experience or bring pleasant images to your mind. It will help you change your state of mind and produce positive emotions.
How to Motivate Yourself No. 4 - Take Action
Taking action produces result. You can start slow or take massive action. But everything starts with one decision and one step. If you want to lose weight, push aside the junk food. Go for a walk or run. If you want to make life improvement, change your negative attitude or a bad habit at a time.
Repeat the positive actions daily. Soon it becomes a habit. You will develop a momentum and your confidence and self esteem will also improve as you make progress.
How to Motivate Yourself No. 5 - Create a Sense of Urgency
Be sure to write down a dateline when you state your goal. This will push you to reach your target on time. Each time you don't feel like doing things, remind yourself of the deadline. Imagine what you would feel if you fail yourself and think about the positive effects on your confidence and esteem when you reach your goal.
How to Motivate Yourself No. 6 - Find Additional Stimulus
Find out what motivates you. Does listening to certain music or song stimulate you to take action? Do you feel inspired when you read, listen or watch motivational and self help books, audio and video recordings? Would attending a motivation workshop or seminar make your feel driven?
A sure way to get and feel motivated is to stick around people who are goals setters and achievers. They have nothing but good things to talk and discuss. They can become your source of inspiration when you need some additional stimulus.
How to Motivate Yourself No. 7 - Take a Break
Did you know that by changing your physiology, you are able to change your focus of attention? So if you feel down and unenthusiastic to work on your goal, go for a walk, swim, run or tend your garden. Exercising is one of the best ways to get you going again because the brain releases neurochemicals that help control or manage your emotions and stress and make you feel good.
How to Motivate Yourself No. 8 - Rewards and Positive Reinforcement
Whenever you achieve one of your sub goals such as losing 1lb or completed a 1km walk, give yourself a reward. As you reach each milestone, reward yourself and laud your achievement such as allowing yourself to have some fun and entertainment. Even giving yourself a positive statement such as "Yes, I did it" helps provide positive reinforcement to your psyche.
How to Motivate Yourself No. 9 - Spend Quiet Time Alone
Every night, spend a little bit of time to do a relaxation exercise and contemplate. This is a good time to do a self reflection, visualization exercise, release your negative related emotions and find answers. Journal your activities, thoughts, emotions and the lessons you have learned for the day. Include a gratitude list in your journal and write down all the things that you are grateful for.
New! Comments
Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.