Sometimes it’s hard to stay motivated, especially if you have a lot of big goals that require some big work. What do you do when you feel like you’re losing steam, but you still have so far to go? Here are 3 helpful tips for staying motivated and pushing through to the finish!
- Know Your “Why”
What’s the big picture? Why are you doing what you’re doing? Why do you need to succeed?
When you have every reason to give up, your “why” is what will snatch you back into action. This “why” has to be stronger than your desire to slack off. Really take some time to determine why you need to do all that you do on a daily basis. And if your “why” for certain things are shallow or do not contribute to a bigger picture, then maybe it isn’t worth your time.
When I begin to feel stagnant and sluggish, I take some time to write down my “why’s.” It instantly gives me fresh energy because it puts things back into perspective. I may not want to do the tasks at hand, but my desire to accomplish the ultimate goal makes that sacrifice worth it.
- Consider the Consequences
What will happen if you don’t succeed? Will it negatively affect people outside of yourself? Will your lack of motivation, laziness, and procrastination in this moment make things harder for you in the long-run?
Sometimes knowing the consequences alone is enough to keep you motivated. If I know that procrastinating on my to-do list will double my workload for later, then taking the time to do it now won’t seem like such a stretch. If eating that pint of ice cream will cause me to have to double my workouts for the next 2 weeks, then it’ll be way easier to put down. If giving up on building my business will eliminate the chances of having a legacy for my children, then that makes giving up not an option.
Sometimes the small things we face can seem like a big deal. That’s why it’s important to make a habit of stepping back and looking at the big picture. Keep your goals in perspective.
- Celebrate Your Small Wins
We have to reward the behaviors we want repeated in our lives. Sometimes, waiting until the big prize of accomplishing the goal isn’t effective, especially if it’s a lofty one. We have to plan treats for ourselves along the way. Knowing the prize that’s waiting ahead helps to boost you forward. These celebrations don’t have to be big- they should actually be small, simple things. Create a list of little things that bring you joy and choose one to celebrate your milestones.
The fact that your goals are wearing you out is actually a good sign! Anything worth having will require a fight to finish. But for those times when you lose your motivation, make sure you remember why you started, that you consider the consequences of procrastination or giving up, and that you celebrate your wins along the way!
