Motivation Secrets for Achieving Goals

Why is it that some days we lack motivation about a task that we need to do? Whether the reason is boredom, laziness, indecisiveness or a lack of confidence to achieve the goal, the secret to accomplishing what you set your mind on is having a plan. The motivation tricks I want to share do help when you put them to use for making a positive change in your life.

A Motivation Trick for Getting Out of a Slump Is Set a Realistic Goal

Before you promise yourself to commit to any project, chore or task that you want to accomplish, ask yourself what is the strength that drives you? Is it money to be made, a cleaner house, a delicious dinner, perhaps, a better body from a vigorous workout, exercising or switching to a healthier diet for a longer life, or a raise due to further education, etc.? The stronger the desire to reach your specific objective, the more likely that you are to stay with your chosen goal.

The truth is if the goal isn’t that important to you, then chances are you will lose interest and slack off of your commitment to seeing the task through.

Motivation May Require Taking Small Steps Instead of Plunging Into the Goal

Exercising because you must lose weight isn’t something a lot of people consider fun. Yet, it is necessary for a great figure and health, but hardly a good time with sore muscles and sweating for out of shape people like yours truly. On the other hand, setting a realistic goal for yourself about exercising or another task is more doable.

A good way to start is tackling the goal in small steps. For example, exercising for ten minutes a day may suit you more than attempting a half hour workout every day. Others may find walking briskly around the block or the shopping mall for a few laps may seem less like exercise and more fun due to the change of scenery and  the possibility of meeting friends and items to buy. Altering your goal to fit your personal lifestyle can be enough to keep your motivation up for the long term.

Small successes can build confidence and pride in your efforts to spur you further into taking another step. For instance, you may want to expand your exercise time or routine after viewing a slimmer body in the mirror or seeing the scale finally show a loss. How you pace yourself determines how quickly or willing you are to take on the next step toward obtaining that goal.

Changing Your Routine Also Can Help Keep Motivation Going

Boredom with doing a needed task over again in the same way such as exercising or cleaning can result in failure. Nevertheless, you can avoid this possibility by simply doing the task in a fresh way. As I mentioned, you can exercise by changing your locale to a shopping mall instead of any gym. You could also try dancing, some yoga classes or swimming that may actually be more enjoyable to burn those calories.

Cleaning the house is hardly my idea of a good time. In spite of that, I like to turn on the music and work it while doing tedious chores around my house. I scrub, vacuum or dust, but shake it, shimmy and glide as I do it and move to the beat. The music takes my mind off of the necessary task and helps me be more productive to finishing the goal.

Rewarding Yourself for Making Progress Also Can Keep You Motivated

We all need to look forward to something that makes us happy. Food is important to all of us, but more so to some than others. If you happen to love delicious food but are trying to cut down on your sugar, salt and bad fats for health reasons, this can be difficult. According to my physician, you can have two free days to splurge on your favorite desserts or salty snacks as long as you stick to a healthy diet five days a week. Those sweet treats, pretzels and chips are my rewards.

The rewards change depending on your goal. If you are dieting or exercising, your reward may be a new pair of jeans that suddenly show off your gorgeous bottom or newly discovered waist. Then again, maybe you studied and passed a particularly hard exam at school. Your reward may involve something that appeals to you like chilling out at a new movie that you wanted to see with your friends.

Staying Motivated Also Means Staying Positive on the Goal

Regardless of what you are hoping to accomplish, you need to remain focused on the end goal. All goals have obstacles. It is up to each of us to remain positive if we attempt to see them through. Fear may try to stop you with a little setback. When this occurs, you need to remember that you’re in it for the long haul and can do it. Believing in yourself can give you that extra strength to stick with that goal.

In Summary

The secret to motivation and achieving your goals is starting with a plan and using it. Tailoring the plan to fit what best works for you can keep your interest piqued and spirit high toward obtaining the goal.