Motivation, along with desire and drive are key attributes to help us achieve our goals. But sometimes we lost motivation. This could be because of fatigue, burnout or the feeling of being overwhelmed regarding an upcoming challenge. We’ve all been there. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some tips on how to maintain motivation.
Firstly, it is good to break your challenge into small, realistic goals. According to Brian Tracey’s book, Eat that Frog, we should eat our biggest, and horrible task first. What task are you putting off?
Break that task down into logical steps. Ask for help if you are unsure of what is required. There is no shame in asking for assistance.
Take breaks and change your dietary habits.
For me, I find it difficult to work when I am hungry. So just before lunch, my mind is eating, and not a task. Make sure you are eating and eating healthily. I do also find that there are certain things that help with creativity. Some people need coffee, for me, but I prefer tea. I have read that peppermint is good for creativity. If you are writing, try chewing gum or drinking peppermint tea to get your creative juices flowing.
Task/goal list
Check your task list and goal list. Is what you are currently doing edging you closer to your goals?
If not, then what can you do to change that?
What would be achieving your goals look like to you? Picturing success is a good tip on how to maintain motivation. It helps give you a positive image and feeling of the end goal.
Motivation is a muscle that needs to be exercised. If you are stuck, you need to change what you are doing. Simple things such as eating, exercising, listening to music or motivational material really do make a difference.
Here are some additional tips to help you maintain motivation:
- Find something that you are passionate about. When you are passionate about something, it is easier to stay motivated.
- Set goals that are challenging but achievable. If your goals are too easy, you will get bored. If they are too difficult, you will get discouraged.
- Celebrate your successes. When you reach a goal, take some time to celebrate your success. This will help you stay motivated and keep moving forward. This is something I need to do more of. But is good to condition your mind to reward success. A bit like Pavlovian conditioning, when a dog does something correctly such as sitting, they are rewarded. Perhaps you could do the same if have finished a report, or you have written a new song. It could simply be going for a walk, reading, or eating a snack.
- Don’t give up. There will be times when you feel like giving up. But if you keep going, you will eventually reach your goals. I recommend reading or listening to David Goggin’s book, Never Finished for additional motivation.
Maintaining motivation is not always easy, but it is possible. By following the tips in this blog post, you can stay motivated and achieve your goals.
