15 Tips from the Motivation Fairy

We have all been at a stage where we have lost or lacked motivation. However, our motivation is what helps us to be successful. We are at our best when we are motivated. It is what helps us to be charismatic and encouraging, and gives us momentum to strive towards our goals. Here are some tips on how to uplift our motivation levels. You may have come across some of these before, but give them all a try:

1. Find things to do that make you happy and repeat them as often as possible. Try things that help uplift your physical and mental health, and not just things that a may give you a temporary high, but negative implications
2. Try positive escapism – examples include listen to music, read, dance, dream, meditate, pray – sometimes we need a break from reality, this is normal. However, try things that on your return to your daily grind, can help bring about higher levels of motivation
3. Watch and read motivational stories and speeches – Linking to the above -There is so much available online and at your local libraries or centres. Things that will help you learn so much about yourself and others. Things that will inspire you and bring you motivation
4. Give yourself breaks– do something recreational and/or exciting; exercise, watch a movie, meet friends, travel more, rest more etc
5. Jot down your goals and review them frequently – sometimes lack of direction can create a lack of motivation, attack this by identifying exactly what you want to achieve in any task, small or big, short or long – review and amend where required
6. Set yourself mini tasks and reward success of these tasks – tasks can be anything from, completing your grocery shopping early to reading 20 mins of a book you enjoy one morning
7. Break down bigger goals into manageable pieces – sometimes it helps if you set timescales and deadlines for the pieces to be completed then one for the overall project to be completed – adjust where necessary to meet your targets
8. Pick up daily routines that foster good habits – as always many of us find this difficult. I would advise starting small and gradually expanding so it is not a complete shock to your system and you will not find it too hard to commit
9. Add diversity to your work or routine – try challenging yourselves with new adventures or new ways of doing things. Often, we become bored and demotivated when we haven’t been challenged in a while. Always ask yourself, ‘Am I being challenged? Am I growing?’
10. Remember failure is not the end of the world – far from it. Failure is merely trial and error. Temporary defeat. Usually after such encounter we lose most or even all motivation. Our rationale is to give up. We need to change this approach; take some time out, reassess and employ every bit of effort into trying again and again and again until we succeed
11. Choose your circle wisely– These include mentors, counsellors, friends, family, coaches, lovers and others. People who are energetic and positive, people who are ambitious and hardworking are the people you need around you. Spend less time with people who tend to be negative or pessimistic frequently, lazy and careless, and most importantly, if they do not support your dreams
12. Believe in your worth and your ability – as above, surrounding yourself with the right people can help with this. But also, appreciating your self-worth. Understand that you are unique. Nothing should be too far-fetched or unattainable for you – try it out
13. Reflect on your past successes – look at what you have achieved in the past and use this as motivation – sometimes we forget how far we have come, how much we have grown in our individual journeys
14. Concentrate on the good things in your life – sometimes stress and other woes can make us forget about the positive things and people we have in our lives, force yourself to remember the goods
15. Don’t be too hard on yourself – Don’t overthink it – believe it or not, it is highly difficult to stay motivated all the time. There will likely be periods when, for whatever reason, you may not feel motivated at all. This is okay, motivation can and will return. Try the above; stay encouraged

 

 

P.S. If you have any concerns about your mental health, however small or big, do not be afraid to speak to someone about this. This can be a friend or family member, but ideally try and speak to a health professional or counsellor. Do not be afraid or discouraged, there are plenty of confidential and extremely helpful services out there to assist you.

 

 

Juliana –  Idara