10 Ways to Keep Yourself Motivated, a Short Essay

Recently I was reading an article which focused on how to motivate children towards good thoughts, good activities and good results. Most often we are successful with the “carrot dangling just ahead” method. What about us? Don’t we too need motivation to surge ahead in life?  Most of us are in such a stage of life that we seem to have achieved what we were aspiring for since we were young. Monotony has set in and often we are not able to start the day with a cheer on our face. I myself find it hard to get motivated to exercise. So I have charted these 10 steps to keep yourself motivated.

What is Self Motivation

First let us understand what self motivation is.

Self motivation is the force that comes from within that keeps pushing us to go on. It is our internal push to achieve, focus, produce, develop, and keep moving forward. Many times we freeze in our life not knowing what our next step should be but there is an inner voice that is directing us to take the next better step. Listening to that and keep going ahead is self motivation.

It is a way of getting things done without influence from other people or situations.

10 Steps to Keep Yourself Motivated

Below are ten points which I shall not claim to be “The Mantra” to get motivated, but they are definitely helpful to get out of the slump that may have set in.

*1 Split your Goals

Thinking too big and setting large goals can act as deterrents. Break up the main goal in to smaller ones and target one at a time and gradually proceed to achieving the larger goal. Of course, don’t forget to celebrate when you achieve the small goals.

*2 Understanding Goals

Identify your goal, read about it and may be blog on it. The comments you receive can keep you motivated for a long time to come. (Oh yeah! I am blogging on this for the same purpose.)

*3 Keep Negative Thoughts Out

Each day few negative thoughts manage to creep in to the mind. Spend some time sorting them out. Replace them with positive thoughts forcefully. Sometimes grief pulls you down. Here are few steps to tackle them: Handling Grief

*4 Keep Motivators around You

Read and think about your goals daily. Keep a chart that will indicate how much has been achieved and how little is left to attain the final result.

*5 Never Give up

Don’t give up half way through, stick on with your efforts. The road is smooth with minor bumps along the way. This is one of the most important among the 10 steps to keep yourself motivated

*6 Seek Support

Sometimes when the going gets alone, it can depress you. Look for support from like minded people. You have decided to quit drinking, look for organizations and forums which can help you.

*7 Flashcard Reminders

Make bold reminders. “Quit Smoking”, “Quit Drinking” or “Exercise for 15 minutes”… more. Paste them on your mirror, refrigerator, inside of wardrobe; this will help you remain focused.

*8 Update with Inspirational Stories

Look for inspirations, read success stories, google your goal and find the steps to achieve them.

*9 Dream of Final Result

Keep yourself excited about the end result you are going to achieve. You have started a painting, keep working at it dreaming how beautiful the finished product will look, which room you will put it up, the effort is lot easier.

*10 Go Public with Your Goals

Commit the goal you have decided to achieve publicly, that way you won’t back out of it soon. After all it is a matter of your reputation. To start with, announce to your friends and relatives who will frequently question you on the progress.

But one caution here, share your goals with only your well wishers. Most people in public domain rejoice at your failures, so understand them and keep them at a distance.

(These 10 Steps to Keep Yourself Motivated is not a complete list, hence I welcome you to add more tips on this. This was first written on 30th July 2008.)

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