How To Stay Motivated

Whether you’re preparing for a marathon or a big test, being motivated is the key to completing your goal. We all know a time in our lives where we started something with good intentions, but bailed out after our motivation drained. Staying motivated is just as important, maybe even more important, than becoming motivated in the first place.

If you’re in need of ways to keep yourself reaching for the end goal, here are a few tips to staying motivated:

One: Social media*

So many people will argue that social media is a motivation killer, and if it’s used incorrectly then I agree. But when used properly, social media can be your biggest inspiration and your biggest tool for motivation.

Call on your friends and followers for moral support when you’re feeling down. Even a simple message letting them know you’re starting a new journey will work wonders, and you’ll be amazed at how many people will respond with a message of support.

Another way to use social media to your advantage is for holding yourself accountable. If your goal is to become more fit, let your followers know that you’ll be going for a run around your neighbourhood each day and that you’ll post a selfie upon completion. With your friends and followers expecting a new shot every day, you’ll have an external motivator to keep to your exercise regime. Plus, this will serve as a journal to allow you to look back over your progress and to see how far you’ve come.

Two: Setting realistic goals

Are you setting yourself SMART goals? SMART goals refers to goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time bound, and anything you hope to achieve should fulfill all of these criteria. If you don’t, then you run the risk of failing too early, which is a definite motivation killer. Try writing down each of the SMART goal points and noting how your goal relates to each of them. Stick this up on a wall or mirror where you can easily see it for extra motivation.

Of course, no goal should ever be set in stone. Let’s say your goal is to ‘lose 10 kilograms in 10 weeks’, but three weeks into your journey you find that you’re not losing weight fast enough. With consultation with doctors (see point three) you determine that it’s not safe to expect to lose the whole 10 kilograms by the end of the deadline.

Rather than give up, set a more ‘attainable’ goal and work towards that. For example, aim for a loss of 7 or 8 kilograms in 10 weeks.  

Three: Listen to your body

“Pain is just weakness leaving the body”

This quote is often attributed to the US Marines to help them to push past their limits, and it is very effective. If you’re reason to stay motivated is to achieve a weight loss goal or to become more physically fit, then it is reasonable to assume you will be feeling some pain. In this situation the pain is a result of your muscles breaking down and repairing themselves to become stronger.

But in some cases pain is not a symptom of the goal being achieved, and if you put too much strain on your body you could end up badly hurt, which could extend the time taken to achieve your goal and thus severely reduce your motivation for continuing.

When starting a weight loss or physically active journey it is best to speak to a professional before assuming any tasks that you haven’t attempted before, and to keep in touch with them should you feel any pain throughout. With a more sedentary goal (i.e. to write 1000 words towards your novel or screenplay each day) ensure that you have the most ergonomic space to perform the tasks ahead.

There are my three ways to stay motivated so you can complete your goals! Your ways might be different to mine, so please share in the comments section to help spread the love!

Thanks,

Kathy

* If you are choosing to use social media as a motivator, ensure you only use it within certain confines; i.e. only spend 10 minutes reading and replying to your friends/followers per day. To avoid distraction, turn your phone off or to airplane mode when completing your tasks.