How To Motivate Yourself -- Motivation 101

Have you ever listened to a motivating speaker, felt motivated to make a change in one or more aspects of your life as a result, but then failed to take action upon leaving the conference room or auditorium? 

Unfortunately, this scenario is all too common.

Read: Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us 

Consider this; every year on January 1st millions of people outline a list of goals they intend to achieve for the New Year. Yet, all too few accomplish their goals. Why is this?

You cannot achieve your goals and dreams unless you get started. Newton's Law of Motion certainly rings true when it comes to motivation; bodies at rest tend to stay at rest. Getting started is often the largest hurdle for most people to overcome. However, once you begin a project, initiate an idea or take action steps, most people stay the course and accomplish their goal.

How do the most successful people get motivated, and remain motivated? The answer is simple -- commitment. Well, at least that's part of the answer.

The other parts of the answer involve going after the right goals or targets, having a realistic game plan, maintaining a connection to the established goals, and simply having fun during the process.


 Does your Goal Pass the Acid Test?

When you consider your goals and dreams, how badly do you want to achieve them? Are you willing to do just about anything to accomplish them? This is the real acid test. Or, are they merely things that you would just like to accomplish? Herein lies the difference between goals and dreams.

If items on your to-do list, would like to have list, or goals and dreams list don't really matter enough to you at the end of the day, you aren't going to be really motivated to press on come hell or high water and accomplish what you need to. So, review your list of goals to see if they pass the acid test. Shorten your list to only those items that pass. Then, commit yourself to working through the process.


 Visualization



There's a reason professional athletes spend a great deal of time before a game, match or event visualizing. They are focusing on not only accomplishing their goal of winning, but on how they will feel as a result. 

Spend time considering what your goals look like? How will you feel the moment that you accomplish them? Who will you celebrate with? And what are the actual benefits or rewards that will accompany this success? 

Visualization allows you to feel connected to your goals. And it can build the confidence needed to take that first step.


 Defining a Realistic Game Plan


Now that you have identified what your 'actual' goals might be and have visualized what it will be like to achieve them, it's time to determine the steps you need and intend to take. Outline specific action steps and completion dates. This is where so many fail. When defining your plan of action, you must consider what you will accomplish and by what date; otherwise, your goal is simply a dream. 

When defining deliverable dates, be realistic. Set milestones that you can actually accomplish. Setting unrealistic goals is a recipe for disaster. In addition to the ultimate completion date, be sure to insert short term milestones to work as check-points.

For example, if one of your goals is to lose 15 pounds this year, you will first want to break this goal down into bite sized chunks (1 lb. at a time). Establish quarterly weigh in points. After each weigh-in, track your progress against your larger goal. Post your progress in an area that you will see daily for additional motivation; your bedroom, bathroom mirror or refrigerator. If you are on track, reward yourself. If you aren't on track, take corrective action.


 Have Fun with Rewards


If one or more of your goals are long-term, it can be challenging to stay focused over the entire time period. Shorter milestone check-points will provide you with realistic targets where you can check-in to see how you are faring against goal. When you are on track, reward yourself.

Rewards don't have to be monumental in order to be effective. They must simply represent something of value or personal enjoyment. Treats if you are on a diet, the purchase of a much coveted item, a massage or a night out are simple examples of potential rewards. Your rewards need to be personal and meaningful to you personally in order to motivate you.


 Be Flexible



If you get off track during your journey, allow yourself the flexibility to modify your plan. Sometimes you need to adjust the goal. Don't beat yourself up -- learn from the experience, make the necessary adjustments, and get back on track.


 Ask for Help


One of the most motivating things can be encouragement from someone you respect, trust, or love. Share your goals with a mentor, family member or friend and ask them to assist you along your journey. Check in with them and give them permission to hold you accountable.

External motivation is often readily available; speakers, a book or a favorite song or tune. Motivating yourself requires focus, dedication and commitment. If you have identified the right goals, formulated a realistic plan and utilize tools along the way, your chances of achieving your goals will be powerfully increased.

Understanding What Drives You to Succeed

The first step in achieving anything you want is deciding what you want in the first place. 

Do you want material gains or personal satisfaction? Is your deep desire to positively impact others or to make a certain amount of money? 

My belief is that if you are using your gifts and doing what you love, the money will follow. 

Often times, the problem people have is an understanding of what they really want in the first place. They go after the results instead of their real passion.

It is easy to get caught up in material wants but if your inner motivation is not driven by material things then it is unlikely that you will have the drive to take the steps necessary to get those things. 

On the other hand, if your inner motivation is driven by material things then it will be easy for you to really see yourself having those things you want. The key to success is to really be able to see and feel yourself where you want to be.

Let me share an example. Money has never been my motivation. 

My motivation has always come from learning new skills, influencing others, and achieving higher levels of responsibility. When I set goals that are specific to money or material things I can never quite fully feel it on the inside. If I put down that I want to make a certain amount of money each month and I don't have something bigger driving it, it just doesn't work for me. 

Although, there was one time in my life where I set specific money goals and did reach them.  I had an extreme desire to keep my children in our home and not be financially dependent on others. In order to make that happen I had to make a certain amount of money. I set some goals and had a plan so that in five years I would be financially independent. I met my goal within two years. And even though the goal was to make a certain amount of money, my real motivation was about independence.

My encouragement for you is to examine what your real motives are. 

Start by creating a vision board around what you really desire. You will know when you are on to it because it is something you can feel deep down inside. The rest will fall into place when you are operating from your real desires. My real drive comes from making a difference in the world and my big vision is to do that by sharing information. 

There are many, many small steps that have to happen in order for me to fully realize that big vision and I am doing the work to make the necessary progress to move me from where I am to where I want to be. Are you? Remember, you can achieve whatever you believe as long as you are willing to work for it!

Great Personal Development Tips That Can Help You Reach Your Goals

Personal development can be confusing. It is often hard to know which step to take next. We are each unique. One technique may work for another person, but not for you, and vice-versa. Nonetheless, studying ideas in personal development is the best way to create your own plan, so continue reading tips like these, books and articles. 

Happiness is often lost to stress. You are harming yourself mentally and physically when there is too much stress in your life. So that we think clearly and work toward our goals in life, it is important that we eliminate stress from our minds. Have some time every day when you can relax and meditate in solitude. Taking the time to renew your center will help you to find peace within yourself.

Always read from multiple sources on personal development. Personal development books that are well written, insightful and instructive can provide you with the information you need to significantly enhance your outlook and your life. When selecting a book, look for positive reviews so that you can have a better idea of the purchase you are about to make.

Live your life according to your values. Everyone has certain beliefs that reinforce their sense of self at the core. If you have a good foundation to depend them upon (and you should), your self esteem will benefit from adherence to your core principles. Truly practicing these principles you believe in will give integrity to your character. 

Base your development plan on your values and goals. Trying to change yourself in ways that are not in line with your values, is not a good idea. When you change your attitude and perspective, difficult situations become easier to manage. By spending your time in these specific areas, you can make the changes in the areas that matter and have these changes stick with you. 

Identify your personal values to help you determine your personal development plan. Focusing on areas you don't value, doesn't make sense. Focus on positive aspects to improve. These aspects should mesh with your values. This allows you to implement personal and professional changes that will last forever. 

You need to have an emergency fund. Each time an unexpected expense crops up, it seems we wind up adding it to our credit cards. Putting back a few dollars weekly can build an emergency fund quickly. This "rainy day fund" gives the security of knowing we can manage our expenses and pay off our debts. 

 You need to care for yourself before you can care for others. Take time for rest and relaxation, whether your health is good or poor. 

If you don't take care of yourself, you won't be able to take care of others. Regardless of where you are on your path, whether you are thriving or failing, take the time to rest and restore yourself. 

Write a pep talk about yourself. List all of your good qualities on a postcard. Keep this card with you, and read through it when you feel your confidence flagging. Even better, read it aloud on video and watch the video often. Sounds intriguing, right? 

Do you frequently consume alcohol? The harmful ingredients in cigarettes can cause COPD, cancer and a huge list of other diseases. The body is sacred, and needs to be maintained accordingly. Deleting harmful patterns and obsessions will undoubtedly lead to an improved standard of living. Examine your habits, and determine whether any of them are harmful. Work toward eliminating them.
 

Therapy is indicated if you feel you cannot deal with your problems. Reading books on self-help may only take you so far. The personal consultation with a therapist gives more direct and focused help. Some people can find success in achieving their psychological issues just by being able to talk to someone about them. There is no way to have an open discussion with a book, though you can with a therapist. 

Do you consume alcohol more than you should? Are nicotine or other destructive habits something that harms you? Your body should be treated with the respect it deserves. If you want to start improving your life, you have to stop engaging in harmful activities. Look at your life, and decide if you have any bad habits that you need to work on getting rid of. 

This article should have shown you that helping yourself involves a lot of hard work to start making viable changes in your life. If you want to see results though, you must give these self help ideas more than a day to work. A more fulfilling life can be just as accessible as this article.

Growing To Bring Out Your True Potential Doesn't Happen Overnight

How about taking a few minutes of your time in order to learn simple steps on improving the rest of your life?

If you pay attention to what we have to say, that is what this article can do for you. 

Read the tips and tricks that we have provided for you, so that you can start to reach your true potential.  

When dealing with self improvement, not making a decision means forgoing an opportunity. Do not fear decisions that need to be made, even if you do not have all of the information that you need to be sure of the decision. 

Every successful decision that you make yields confidence and assertiveness. Even when your decision is incorrect, you can learn a lot from the mistake that you made. When you make the incorrect decision, learn from this, and make sure that it never happens again.  

Take a notebook around with you to jot ideas in. You could for instance carry a small notebook with you, or use an app on your phone. Just write down what their idea or thought is and then develop it more when you have the time and are feeling creative.  

Self improvement begins with becoming a leader. There are many different facets of leadership, but the one people talk about most is the ability to win friends and influence people. Identify the leadership qualities you possess. 

What events have impacted you the most in your life? How did you use those events to better yourself? What is your best attribute that makes you a team player? By carefully evaluating these questions, you can increase your awareness of your ability to function well in a team setting.  

You should always have an idea as to what you personal values are before you develop a plan for personal growth. Focusing on areas you don't value, doesn't make sense. Instead, focus on all that is important in your life, and work to improve those things. If you do this, you can make lifelong positive changes, both personally and professionally.  

Write up a motivational speech for yourself. Make a self-empowering post-it note or note card. You can take this with you wherever you go, and review it when you want motivation. You could also record a list of your positive traits and watch them on video. What is the reason?  

Accept your limitations before engaging in self improvement. Realizing your place in the big scheme of things is freeing. You will begin to understand that there are many ways to improve. You can then focus your attention on positive growth and development.  

Write a pep talk for yourself. Write down all of your good characteristics. You can take this with you wherever you go, and review it when you want motivation. Another great idea is to recite the list while filming yourself, so that you can view the footage regularly. Is there a benefit?  

Self improvement does not happen quickly, as this article has shown. However, if you invest the effort in yourself, you will surely benefit and grow from the process. These suggestions should assist you on your journey.