An important trait in attaining our goals is our ability to stay motivated over time.  Our progress isn’t linear, there is an ebb and a flow to our energy levels, our moods, and our motivation; and that is normal.  We get distracted, or we don’t believe that we can achieve what we have aspired to. We’ve all been there, and on those days, at those times we don’t feel great do we?

Life is so much more enjoyable and flows so much better when we are motivated. We feel empowered, confident, upbeat, we feel that we are making progress and moving forward, we take action and we show up as our ‘best selves’.

So how can we stay more in that place, get ourselves back on track if we have slipped?

1. It’s important to be your own best friend.  When you are finding it hard to do the things you know you need to do don’t beat yourself up, make sure your ‘self-talk’ is supportive, gentle even. See if you can talk to yourself as if you were coaching someone you care about, be encouraging. Perhaps you are feeling overwhelmed, as if it all seems just too difficult, too big, too ambitious. Be realistic about the steps you are taking, progress is always in small steps, so set yourself some small achievable actions to get you moving in the direction again. Remind yourself of things you have achieved in the past that perhaps at one time seemed outside of your reach, challenges you have met and overcome, build your self-confidence. More carrot less stick. 
2. Sometimes a lack of motivation can be avoidance, whether it is something mundane that we find boring or something challenging that makes us feel uncomfortable. The unwillingness to take action can be because we are avoiding unwanted feelings. There are a number of ways we can process feelings of discomfort this article in VeryWell sets out a range of healthy emotion-based coping skills such as meditation and soothing self care, as well as problem-focused coping skills including managing your time and asking for support https://www.verywellmind.com/forty-healthy-coping-skills-4586742
3. Be creative.  Dance to your own tune. Take an honest inventory; just because someone does things a particular way that doesn’t necessarily mean that works for you.  You are unique.  The richness in learning is that you can cherry pick approaches, actions and techniques from a host of resources; books, individuals, and training and make them your own by taking the parts and applying what works for you.  Experiment and mix things up.  The brain is not fixed and it’s good to try new things, new thoughts, new ways.  Neuroscience has shown that the brain changes with adopting new strategies, new thoughts and new learning.  We are always work in progress we are always changing and becoming more, what worked for you last year likely needs modifying as you change and evolve.  Goodness knows how much we have changed and adapted this year!
4. Ask for help.  We are social creatures and we achieve more and become more through collaboration and team-work. Talk to someone or watch or listen to someone who inspires you on whatever your favourite platform is.  People like Mel Robbins, Brendon Burchard, Hal Elrod, and Robin Sharma all have great Instagram feeds that are encouraging and inspiring.  When we feel inspired we are motivated to take action.
5. Make sure you have the basics down and that you’re getting enough sleep, not overdoing the alcohol and caffeine, eating well and exercising. You can’t perform and stay motivated if you are depleted and running on empty, it’s just not sustainable. Be strict about having some balance and make time for fun and doing things that light you up, you may find those are the times when you have your best ideas.

What works for you?  Let me know your tips and thoughts on how to stay motivated.