Your journey towards personal and professional goals often feels like navigating a labyrinth, or a rock scramble, sometimes its exhilarating, at times challenging, and occasionally downright frustrating. Picture those New Year goals abandoned by February, or that online course you started with great enthusiasm, now gathering digital dust - these are all instances of a motivation flame that died out too soon.
According to entrepreneur and motivational speaker, Jim Rohn, "Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going." (One of my most favorite quotes!) Understanding this interplay can make the difference between faltering mid-way and reaching the finish line.
So, how do we maintain a burst of motivation into a consistent, robust habit?
Here are my five top strategies:
Shake It Up: A touch of unpredictability can add a fresh life into your day-to-day tasks. Doing things differently or adding a new approach can revitalize the familiar, making it feel more intriguing and exciting!
Embrace Surprise: (Honestly, not usually one of my favorites!) Include elements of surprise into your day - perhaps trying a new recipe, rearranging your workspace, or exploring an unfamiliar route to work, a new workout! These unexpected changes can jolt your mind into excitement, rejuvenating your motivation levels
Make it Fun: Make your tasks and to dos into games or set fun challenges for yourself. This shift in perception can make even boring tasks feel more exciting, thereby helping to maintain a high motivation drive.
Visualize Your Goals: Take time each day to vividly see yourself hitting your goals. Paint a mental picture of your success, the sense of accomplishment, and how you plan to celebrate. This emotional bonding with your goals can serve as a powerful motivation booster.
Mix Tasks Together: We are all masters of multitasking! Try pairing a routine task with an enjoyable activity to make it more pleasant. Perhaps you could listen to your audiobook while cooking, or brainstorm creative ideas while walking.
Keeping your motivation on the high side isn’t about big gestures or sporadic bouts of energy; it's about embedding small yet potent strategies into your routine, making them a part of your lifestyle.
The key to staying motivated lies not just in the destination but in the journey itself. The goal is important, but it's the steps you take and the habits you form along the way that determine the sustainability of your motivation. Make your path enjoyable, and you'll find motivation becoming less of a visitor and more of a reliable companion in your quest for success.