Drive and Motivation!

I've written about motivation before and how to STAY motivated…but let’s dive a little deeper.

Where do I find my motivation? Why do I lose my motivation? What REALLY drives me to get out of bed in the AM?

These are some probing questions I hear from clients ALL the time! We (myself included) are all guilty of losing motivation every once in awhile; whether it’s motivation to workout, motivation to eat healthy or just plain ‘ol motivation in our everyday lives. This time of year, especially, the shiny new resolutions have lost their luster and lack of drive starts to set in. It’s not quite Spring yet, definitely not summer…it’s the DEAD OF WINTER. Getting out of bed sometime seems like an accomplishment all on its own when it’s -10 degrees out! This is the PERFECT time of year to re-visit your goals and stay MOTIVATED! Who’s with me??

How do re-motivate ourselves?

For me, it all goes back to my goals. “Why am I doing this in the first place?” is the questions I ask myself constantly. I have to remind myself of why it is that I started a particular goal. I have to force myself back in the place of excitement when I first made the goal AND think about how I will feel after my goal is accomplished. I know how great it will feel…so I must KEEP GOING! Figure out your “Why”!

How do we avoid losing motivation in the first place?

Passion has a lot to do with motivation. If you are passionate about what you are doing (work, life, healthy living, etc) you will avoid “slumps” much more easily. If you are constantly doing what you are truly passionate about, why would you want to stop? You wouldn't!  Find your passion and GO FOR IT!

Switch up your routine every once in awhile! While it’s nice to form habits and get up at the same time everyday and do the exact same thing until it’s Friday and you can finally “let loose” it’s also nice to add a lil’ spice! Maybe you get some gym time in before work or you get up a little earlier to make yourself something great for breakfast…whatever it is, change it up a little! Find little things during your week that make you excited for your day.

What is it that makes motivation go away?

Maybe you’re bored of routine or maybe you are scared to try something new or maybe you really don’t know what the next step is. All of things are totally normal, but only YOU have the power to change them. We are all controllers of our own destiny. You control your happiness and success…CHOOSE to be happy!

Enlist in the help of a friend or your spouse and tell them your very specific goals that you are working towards. This person can play a key role in helping you reach your goals. I have mentioned accountability before but I cannot stress enough how important it is! In every aspect of life, it’s much easier when we are held accountable. Do whatever you need to do to keep your goals in the fore front of your mind!

Once motivation has returned, how do we get it to stay there?

Once you are back in that “ah-ha” moment, STAY THERE! (I know, easier said than done!) Reward yourself for small successes to keep yourself on the right track. Everyone needs that “carrot” in front of them to keep going…find out what yours is. Make smaller, more attainable goals first. Reaching those small goals will in fact add up to your larger goal…so, stick with it, consistency is key!

Lastly, stay POSITIVE! Negativity never ends well, nor will it get you any closer to your goal (plus, no one likes a “Negative Nelly”). There is positive in every situation. Positivity equals power!

As always, I am here for you! I know what it’s like to lose motivation, find it and lose it again! We are all in this together…. I am happy to help!!!