Motivation and Setting Your Goals
Everyone struggles with motivation. Sometimes the challenge is so great that it can feel overwhelming and intimidating. Identifying the right inspiration can be difficult. One thing in your life you want to achieve is a broad goal, like losing weight or taking care of your mental health? Or just one specific goal, like “Writing every day for ten minutes”? The difference between these two types of goals show how important it is to set specific and achievable goals for yourself and recognize when you need to take a break from something that isn’t working out for you. Motivation comes in many different forms: physical, emotional, spiritual, etc. The trick is finding the motivation in a way that will work for you and your personality. That’s where this article comes in!
The first important step is to find your source of motivation. There are many types of people: what gets some people going could be the opposite for others. This list includes common sources of motivation, but remember that there are no limits. If a suggestion in this list sounds appealing, give it a try!
1) Music
Music can be an excellent motivator for many different reasons. It can help you keep pace with whatever exercise regimens you decide on, help you get focused and can make time pass more quickly if you’re journaling or otherwise trying to have productive work sessions.
Music also comes in many different genres, styles and tempos, letting you find music that works for you.
2) Movies/TV Shows
If it’s your style to have a movie or TV show playing while doing homework or other tasks, this can be a great way to keep yourself motivated and hold yourself accountable. Because it’s easier for us to get distracted by something that is familiar and well-liked, having the show or movie playing can make the task ahead seem less intimidating.
3) Your Friends
Your friends might not be thinking exactly of your best interest when they try to motivate you. But sometimes, hearing about what your friends are doing can give you the push you need to try something out. If you have a friend who makes working out look fun, for example, it might be easier for you to work out if that’s one of the things she talks about.
4) Subscription Boxes
While some people may consider subscription boxes a ‘treat’ or ‘surprise’, they can be equally motivating and inspirational. When we know something is coming in the mail and we are anticipating it (especially if it is related to our goals), we are more likely to work harder at achieving those goals leading up to that delivery day.
If you’re looking for a goal based subscription box, be sure to check out reviews here and visit the people who created these boxes to learn about their motivation for doing this.
5) Pinspiration/Inspirational Posters
These days there are dozens of inspirational posters and images that can be purchased or downloaded for free for your workspace. These are great for when you need a break from work-related tasks, but need your inspiration nearby. You could also use these as visual reminders of how far you’ve come in your health goals and how much further there is left to go.
6) People/Places
Finding a community of people with similar goals or interests can be a great way to find the motivation that you need. Checking out groups on Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites can be a good place to start. Even if you don’t necessarily need their help for motivation, having people that are interested in what you’re doing can also be a source of joy.
7) Books/Articles
If watching movies or TV isn’t your style, there are plenty of books and articles that provide motivational content as well. If you’re looking for a short, inspirational book that can be read in one sitting or that speaks volumes about motivation in general, check out "Eat That Frog!" or the classic "Your Erroneous Zones" by Jerry D. Hicks.
8) Time/Contemplation
When things get stressful or overwhelming, time to yourself (alone or with a trusted friend) can be a great way to quiet your mind and find the motivation you need to take on whatever task is ahead of you. Contemplating what’s going on in your life, who you are and why this goal is important to you can help keep that light at the end of the tunnel burning bright.
9) Fasting
If your goal is to lose weight, fasting might be the thing that you need to motivate you and keep you motivated throughout the day. If you’ve never fasted before, it’s a good idea to start off slowly. Don’t jump in and decide to go for 36 hours without food; instead, try skipping lunch one day a week or limiting certain foods or drinks for one or two days a week. This can help your body get used to the idea of not having food and help you determine what it is that will motivate you enough to keep up with this on a regular basis.
10) Self-Talk
Sometimes we just need a little encouragement from ourselves to believe that we can stick with our goals, even when the going gets tough. For example, if you’re thirsty and you find yourself reaching for a glass of water, say to yourself “I don’t have time to drink.” Before long, that little voice inside your head will start going away and start making you thirsty again and wanting to reach for water. We often talk ourselves out of things that don’t make sense to us so we must learn how to teach ourselves not to do this. This can be a great motivator.
11) Blood Flow Restriction Training
This form of training employs both heavy resistance training and light cardio work. This type of training requires focus and discipline, but it can also be very motivating. During this time, you have to focus on each set that you perform, but since the intensity is relatively low, most people find this to be a very motivating way to train. When you’ve been working out for long periods of time or for a prolonged amount of time (such as in-season), work out with blood flow restriction training. This gives your body an additional challenge and helps motivate you when the going gets tough or if there’s a need for some extra inspiration. Check out these tips for getting started with blood flow restriction training.
12) Forgiveness/Self-Forgiveness
Sometimes, we can get so caught up in beating ourselves up about what we didn’t do that we forget how far we’ve come and how much further we have to go. This can be a great way to motivate yourself, especially when you’re feeling down about something or feel like you’ve made a mistake.
13) Affirmations
One of the best ways to get motivated is by working on your affirmations. These are done by talking about your dreams and hopes for the future and affirming that you will achieve these things.
Conclusion
Motivation is an interesting topic to think about. It evokes a great deal of emotion, from excitement to fear. No matter what your personal motivation is, the most important thing to remember is that there are ways for you to get motivated and stay motivated on your fitness journey. Don't let a bad work out or day get you down. Stay motivated and keep going!
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