Some goals show results quickly, but others take time and a lot of self-discipline to accomplish. If you’ve decided to make some meaningful changes to your work, life or lifestyle, it probably isn’t going to be an overnight process and you’ll need to find ways to stay motivated until it’s done.
Your big goal may take months or even years to accomplish, and you’ll discover many distractions or reasons to quit along the way, such as other commitments, your fear of failure or a lack of progress.
Here are 6 ways to help you stay motivated – no matter what.
1. Be clear about what your goal is
What is your goal? What is the change you want? Be crystal-clear about it. You can do this through visualisation or a visual representation. Visualise yourself achieving your goal or find a photo that illustrates your goal or someone achieving your goal, and look at it often.
Also visualise yourself doing some of the actions required to achieve your goal – including the less enjoyable activities. If you want to start your own online business, visualise yourself getting through those inevitable technical issues and feeling a great sense of satisfaction. Mental and emotional visualisation makes it much easier to achieve your end goal.
You should also write down (type out) your goal and include as much detail as possible. For example, what does your future lifestyle look like? How do you feel when you wake up? Where do you wake up? What does a typical day look like?
“If you are working on something exciting that you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed. The vision pulls you.”
– Steve Jobs
2. Ask yourself ‘why’ often
Think back to where it all started: Why are you making this change? What motivated you? Maybe you discovered what your life can be like. Maybe someone inspired you and you realised it is possible to create more freedom and flexibility in your life where you work on your own terms, and spend more time with your family and on your hobbies.
Remind yourself often how you felt when you decided on this goal. Excited? Motivated? Challenged? All of these emotions?
3. Break up your goal into smaller ones
A big goal feels overwhelming at times.
Break up your end goal into smaller targets that are challenging as well as attainable. Dividing your end goal into smaller, less overwhelming goals ensures you aren’t left with fuzzy next steps, lets you feel invigorated after each accomplishment and motivates you to move on to the next goal.
Create SMART goals which increase your chances of successfully completing the goals. SMART goals are:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Realistic
- Time bound
4. Rest
If you’re struggling to stay motivated, your body might just be trying to tell you to slow down a little. You may need more sleep, a weekend getaway or just an afternoon stroll along the beachfront.
Resting gives you time to review and reflect on your goals. It may highlight some changes needed in the way you work that will help make you more efficient.
Listen to your body. Refuel, recharge and return to your goals feeling refreshed, energised, innovative and better able to concentrate for any length of time.
5. Connect with positive people
Positive people are often successful people who are living their best lives. They should be your influencers, people who make an impression on you. Tell them about your goals and encourage them to help you stay motivated.
Connecting with these people helps you stay optimistic – which is important because you can only accomplish your goal if you believe in your ability to achieve your goal.
6. Do something you love and get inspired
Spend a few minutes (or more, if you have the time) doing something you enjoy every day as it offers so many benefits: It motivates, inspires, increases happiness, and improves your overall health, concentration and productivity.
Look at a beautiful work of art or some pictures of your family or pets, go for a swim or cycle, spend time with your family and friends, sing and dance with your toddler, meditate, play with your pets, work in the garden, read an inspiring quote or a few pages of a great book, or simply listen to some uplifting music or a motivational speaker on YouTube.
Now go and make great things happen.
“There are no limits to what you can accomplish, except the limits you place on your own thinking.”
– Brian Tracy
Do you have any good strategies to help you stay motivated to achieve a goal?
Share your ideas by commenting below.