New Year’s Resolution: Stay Motivated to Reach Your Goals
As we approach the New Year, many people are starting to think about motivation and goals. Motivation is a term that is so widely used today. Whether you are seeking motivation, trying to stay motivated or looking to motivational speakers to inspire you, you need to find the internal drive. People think if they are just motivated enough they can achieve all the goals they set out for themselves. They then blame the lack of motivation when they are unable to follow through or stay on track.
It is important to take a good hard look at the underlying factors surrounding your goal and the goal itself before embarking forward. A majority of people procrastinate because they do not like the task at hand or because they do not have the right goal in the first place. If this is the case then of course you lack motivation. You aren't inspired and excited, therefore you shift into avoidance mode. Maybe you need to re-examine your goal or reinvent the goal, thus creating momentum in a different direction. If you are frustrated by your lack of motivation or commitment, try taking a closer look at why that is.
1. Where in your life do you lack motivation?
Are there areas in your life where you continue to lose momentum after a certain amount of time? How long have you had this goal and been unable to follow through? Why do you feel you are unmotivated? Do you need to let go of the goal or reinvent it? Take some time this week to write down your current primary goals. Then write down how excited and inspired you are to move forward. If you lack excitement, maybe it is time to create a new goal and see where that leads you.
2. Start with a clean slate
Sometimes when you are frustrated with a lack of motivation, you need to take a break and create a clean slate. It is important to distance yourself in order to gain perspective and build fresh momentum. Simply distancing yourself from the task allows you to reframe the goal or let it go all together. Sometimes the goal is the wrong goal in the first place and you will be able to go down a different path with similar end results. This week give yourself permission to throw away certain goals that have caused tremendous stress and frustration.
3. Enlist help from friends
Sometimes just having a friend along for the ride makes it much easier to move forward. If you are looking to lose weight or get into shape, ask a friend to meet you at the gym and work out together. You are more likely to get to the gym if you know a friend is waiting for you. If this isn't possible, hire a trainer. Just start the motion of moving forward and you will begin the momentum. Being accountable tends to keep people on track. This week contact people that you can team up with.