Motivation is having the Desire to take action in moving toward our goals, whether they are big or small, and short-term or long-term. Our sense of desire and drive to take action is a result of both outer and inner forces, pulling and pushing us forward to keep us moving.
A self-motivated individual has personal, meaningful reasons and purposes (pre-existing and/or self-created) to power them forward. They are focused on their goals, and would constantly create and seek out opportunities, resources, inspirations, and strategies to help keep themselves motivated.
Motivation is an ongoing process that takes time, practice, and self-awareness. It is a lifestyle that is developed and built up through daily habits and routine. Here are 10 of my favourite ideas that will help to get you moving and stay motivated:
Be aware of the consequences.
Below each goal you've listed, write down how important they are to you, the consequences of not attaining those goals, and how they would affect you.
Friendly Reminders.
Ask a friend, partner, parent, or anyone you trust to check-in with you on a regular basis (can be daily, weekly, or monthly). Let them know about your goals and action plan, and ask them to follow up with you on your progress. Make sure you choose someone who is supportive and non-judgmental, and is going to encourage you rather than discourage you.
Create a vision board.
Reinforce your goals by visualizing them through images. A Vision Board can help to strengthen your desire for your goal, and push you into taking action to attain them (more to come on this topic in a later post).
Create an environment filled with positive influences.
Self-reflection.
Review and reflect on your day before you go to bed, and document in your journal to track your progress. Some of the questions you may want to reflect on include:
A self-motivated individual has personal, meaningful reasons and purposes (pre-existing and/or self-created) to power them forward. They are focused on their goals, and would constantly create and seek out opportunities, resources, inspirations, and strategies to help keep themselves motivated.
Motivation is an ongoing process that takes time, practice, and self-awareness. It is a lifestyle that is developed and built up through daily habits and routine. Here are 10 of my favourite ideas that will help to get you moving and stay motivated:
- Set a daily schedule.
Having a schedule you can stick to helps to keep you on track, creates consistency, and builds momentum to keep you moving. - Plan ahead.
Plan out your day first thing in the morning, or the day before. Be realistic with your plans and how much you can handle- make sure your workload fits into your current schedule. - List your goals.
Goals can be big or small, short-term or long-term. They instill a sense of purpose, generate desires, and create a powerful force to drive you forward. - Take small steps.
Break down your goals into small, attainable, and manageable steps. Creating small, achievable goals not only will enhance your ability to see and track your Progress, the multiple accomplishments you experience throughout the process will help to enhance your motivation to keep you going. - Celebrate small successes.
Every time you've completed a daily/weekly plan, or achieved a small goal, give yourself a reward as a token of appreciation and acknowledgement for your progress and effort. The consistent positive reinforcement will encourage and motivate you to progress toward your goals. Some examples of the small rewards you can give yourself include:
- Read a magazine article
- Listen to one of your favourite songs
- Go outside for a short walk
- Enjoy a piece of cake
Below each goal you've listed, write down how important they are to you, the consequences of not attaining those goals, and how they would affect you.
Ask a friend, partner, parent, or anyone you trust to check-in with you on a regular basis (can be daily, weekly, or monthly). Let them know about your goals and action plan, and ask them to follow up with you on your progress. Make sure you choose someone who is supportive and non-judgmental, and is going to encourage you rather than discourage you.
Reinforce your goals by visualizing them through images. A Vision Board can help to strengthen your desire for your goal, and push you into taking action to attain them (more to come on this topic in a later post).
- Read inspirational quotes and books
- Watch motivational speech and videos
- Surround yourself with self-motivated people
- Surround yourself with friends who are supportive and encouraging, instead of those who try to hold you back.
Review and reflect on your day before you go to bed, and document in your journal to track your progress. Some of the questions you may want to reflect on include:
- What goal(s) have you achieved or worked on today? How was the process/experience?
- Did you use any self-motivating strategies? What worked and what didn't? Why were/weren't they effective?
- Is there anything you wish you could've done differently?
- What plans do you have for tomorrow?
This post first appeared on The Art Therapy Journey Of An Art Therapist, please read the originial post: here
