Staying motivated isn’t always easy but the only way you’re going to achieve success and results in any area of your life is by staying focused and by keeping going. Let’s take a look at how to stay motivated by forming good habits even when it feels like the most difficult thing to do!
In the pursuit of our goals and aspirations, motivation acts as the driving force that propels us forward. However, staying motivated isn’t always a straightforward journey. In this blog post, we will explore the essence of motivation, delve into what it takes to establish a motivated mindset, provide practical tips on maintaining motivation, and discuss the art of organising goals to ensure continued progress without feeling overwhelmed. Whether it’s a
new career you’re after,
getting fit or reading 100 books this year, this guide will show you how to achieve your goal.
What is Motivation?
Motivation means different things for different people. Why? Because ultimately, what you are trying to achieve varies from person to person. It’s not always easy to stay motivated all of the time. In fact, it can be really hard to do. However, once you master the art of controlling your emotions and staying motivated, picking yourself up every time you face a hurdle, you are half way there to achieving your next goal. Success isn’t built on luck or reserved for a select few, it’s yours for the taking if you repeat just a few small habits over and over until you become really good at them. How do you do that? Well, by staying motivated to keep going of course!
Motivation Defined
Motivation is the internal or external stimulus that prompts us to take action, pursue goals, and strive for success. It’s the fuel that ignites our passions, propelling us beyond obstacles and challenges.
Creating a Motivated Mindset
1. Get Clear on Your “Why”
  To cultivate a motivated mindset, getting clear on your purpose is key. Clearly define your goals, understand the “why” behind them, and envision the positive impact their achievement will have on your life. Again, your “why” will be different to others you may know. It might be exactly the same. There’s not wrong or right answer. The more personal it is to you, the stronger your desire, the more likely you are to keep showing up each day to work towards your goal.
2. Positive Affirmations
  Integrate positive affirmations into your daily routine. Affirming your capabilities and focusing on a positive outcome can shift your mindset from doubt to belief in your abilities. Look at
these positive affirmation cards each and every day to keep your spirits and high and stay motivated, even when times get tough.
3. Surround Yourself with Positivity
  The company you keep greatly influences your mindset. Surround yourself with positive individuals who inspire and uplift you, creating an environment conducive to motivation.
Tips on Getting and Staying Motivated
1. Break Down Your Goals
 What is is that you want? How do you get there? These are two questions that you must constantly refer back to throughout your journey of reaching your goals. Admittedly, it’s not always clear whether an opportunity you’re faced with will serve you well or cause confusion on your path to success. Generally, there are three types of people: those who flatly say “No” when new opportunities present themselves. Then there are those who have what is called “shiny object syndrome” which means that they jump from one new opportunity to another without really seeing anything through. And finally, there is the person you want to be – the innovator. The innovator knows to grab the right opportunities at the right time and say “No” to options that will take them further away from their
goals. You should be aiming to be the third example. Carefully consider your options, know when to say no and understand when to rethink your strategy and take advantage of new paths to get there.
Rather than viewing your goals as monumental tasks, break them down into smaller, more manageable steps. This makes the path to success less overwhelming and boosts motivation through consistent progress. Success is essentially doing a few things well and doing them consistently.
2. Celebrate Small Wins
  Acknowledge and celebrate every achievement, no matter how small. Recognising progress, no matter how incremental, reinforces a positive mindset and fuels the motivation to keep going. Be grateful for the everyday and use tools, such as
The Secret, to learn more about creating abundance in your life.
3. Adaptability
  Embrace adaptability as a core principle. Life is unpredictable, and plans may change. Being adaptable allows you to navigate challenges without losing sight of your long-term goals. New problems might arise. Fresh opportunities might appear. Try not to get
stressed because you risk making irrational decisions. Act fast enough to adapt before it’s too late but slow enough, to avoid jumping off the carriage and going in a completely other direction – one that steers you away from what it is you want to achieve.
The most important question to ask yourself when things get tough is “what would my life look like if I didn’t see this through?”
The Most Important Question to Ask Yourself When Trying to Stay Motivated
It’s not easy to stay motivated all of the time and sometimes, pushing through is incredible difficult. So, when things get hard and you feel like you can’t go on, ask yourself this: “What would the alternative be? What would my life look like if I didn’t see this through to the end and find out what it would be like to achieve my goals?” Imagine quitting and having to restart from the beginning! Although nobody has a magic ball to tell you when your lucky break will hit, imagine quitting right at this moment and then finding out that you were so much closer than you thought?!
Organising Goals for Attainability
1. Prioritise Goals
  Identify and
prioritise your goals. Focus on what truly matters to you, aligning your efforts with your core values. Prioritisation prevents feeling overwhelmed by a multitude of objectives.
2. Set Realistic Milestones
  Establish realistic milestones for each goal. These mini-goals provide a roadmap, ensuring that progress is tangible and continuous, maintaining a sense of achievement.
3. Reflect and Adjust
  Regularly reflect on your goals and progress. If necessary, adjust your approach. Flexibility and self-reflection are key components of staying motivated in the face of challenges.
Staying motivated is a journey that requires continuous effort and a resilient mindset. By understanding the essence of motivation, creating a positive and clear mindset, incorporating practical tips for motivation, and organising goals for attainability, you can cultivate the determination needed to overcome obstacles and achieve lasting success. Remember, motivation is not a one-time event but an ongoing process that evolves with your journey.
How to Form Good Habits
Whether big or small, our habits shape our actions and, consequently, our destinies. Forming good habits is a transformative journey, a conscious effort towards positive change. In this blog post, we’ll explore the intricacies of cultivating good habits, from understanding their essence to overcoming the challenges that accompany them. If you haven’t already read it, Atomic Habits is a great book on small, repeatable actions and forming good habits.
What Makes a Good Habit?
A good habit is a behaviour pattern that contributes positively to your well-being, personal development, or the achievement of your goals. It is a conscious and repetitive action that becomes ingrained in your routine.
Positive Impact:
Good habits have the power to enhance various aspects of your life, from physical health and mental well-being to productivity and success. They are the building blocks of a fulfilled and purposeful existence.
How Long Does It Take for a New Habit to Stick?
The 21-Day Myth
The notion that it takes 21 days to form a new habit is a common belief, but research suggests otherwise. Studies indicate that the timeline varies for different individuals and habits. On average, it may take anywhere from 21 to 66 days for a new habit to become automatic.
Consistency is Key
The key factor in habit formation is consistency. Daily repetition reinforces neural pathways, making your actions more automatic over time. Celebrate small victories along the way, recognising progress as you build towards your goal. If you’re struggling to visualise how consistency will bring you closer to your goal then think about the obvious and something you can see. Let’s say you were collecting stones in a glass vase (random I know!). If you put one stone in every single day, you’d start to see the glass vase filling up with stones. Now, let’s say you made greeting cards and wanted to start your own business selling them. You might be wondering where to start but if you made just 1 card each and every day, by the end of the year you’d have 365 cards and that’s certainly enough to sell!
Tips on How Not to Break Good Habits
Start Small
Begin with manageable tasks to prevent overwhelming yourself. Gradually increase the complexity of your habits as your confidence and consistency grow.
Anchor to Existing Habits
Associate your new habit with an existing routine. This creates a mental link, making it easier to incorporate the behaviour seamlessly into your daily life.
Accountability Partners
Share your habit-forming journey with a friend or family member. Having someone to encourage you and hold you accountable can significantly increase your chances of success.
Visual Reminders
Use visual cues, such as sticky notes or digital reminders, to keep your goals at the forefront of your mind. Visualisation reinforces your commitment to building positive habits.
What to Do If We Fall Off Course
Self-Compassion
Acknowledge that setbacks are a natural part of the process. Instead of self-criticism, practice self-compassion. Learn from the experience and refocus on your commitment to change. Ask yourself: “What have I learned and what can I do differently next time?”
Reflect and Adjust
Take time to reflect on the reasons behind the lapse. Identify triggers or challenges that may have contributed to the deviation from your habit. Adjust your approach accordingly to overcome future obstacles.
Recommit and Restart
Recommitting to your goals and restarting the habit-forming process is a courageous act. View each day as a new opportunity to reinforce positive behaviours, allowing yourself the grace to evolve and grow.
Forming good habits is a journey of self-discovery and personal transformation. Understanding the dynamics of habit formation, embracing consistency, and navigating setbacks with resilience are essential components of this process. By cultivating positive habits, you pave the way for a more intentional and fulfilling life. Remember, the power to shape your habits is within reach and not reserved for a select few, provided that you make one conscious choice at a time.
