The Balanced Life, Huntsville Alabama

I often hear from clients that they struggle with motivation for a variety of reasons.  And I must admit that I do, too, from time to time.  What is it about that word “motivation” that can make us feel on top of the world and the bottom of the barrel?  Truth be told, I recently felt stuck and had a difficult time finding my motivation.  It was like I was resisting positivity in my life and had this invisible wall between me and my progress. 

I have accomplished a lot of new things and big life goals over the past year, two of which are going into business for myself and working out at a gym consistently.  Unfortunately, I lost some steam about three months ago when it came to working out at the gym.  It didn’t make sense.  I love my gym, would set my clothes out the night before, played it out in my mind, and truly believed I would go.  When morning came (my usual work out time), I wanted to get up, but didn’t.  And this little game I played with myself happened over and over until I found my health decreasing and the weight increasing.  Why am I doing this, I’d ask myself?  I didn’t know.  What will it take to turn things around? Still I didn’t know.  Finally, it dawned on me that I had the answers all along. 

Sometimes we get stuck and can’t get out, or so we think.  Sometimes we engage in negative self-talk, procrastination, avoidance, denial, etc.  I did this, too, and knew I had to turn things around before I felt any worse.  Because I am clearing the air, finding my motivation again, and am excited about new goals, I wanted to share with you some of the tools I use to dig myself out of a funk.

1.  Tell someone.

Whether it be a close family member of friend, counselor, or self help group, just tell someone.  It takes it from inside your head and out in the atmosphere. 

2. Think back to when you were motivated and ask yourself what kept you that way.

If you can understand what keeps you motivated in those times, you may be able to recapture some of those feelings.

3. Remember life is filled with ups and downs

Everyone ebbs and flows in life and has periods of high and low motivation.  Even the most seemingly happy and successful people lose motivation from time to time.

4. Do what the successful people do.

If you have a friend or colleague who seems to do things right most of the time, ask them how they do it and copy those things.

5. Forgive yourself.

Guilt and shame are often the things that hold us back and steal our motivation.  Let go the best you can and move forward by putting one foot in front of the other. 

6. Make a plan.

If you lack motivation right now, make a plan and take one tiny step on the plan.  A great way to get motivated is by taking action.  When you do that, your brain releases serotonin (a happy chemical in the brain), which causes you to want more of that good feeling.

7. Have accountability.

Whether it be school work, exercising, nutritional eating, a work project, home project, or any thing that you want to do, but are not doing, find an accountability partner.  Accountability goes a long way to keep us moving forward, even when we don’t want to.

8. Get comfortable, but not too comfortable.

It is important to be comfortable and positive within ourselves, but not to the point that we stop moving forward.  Being a tiny bit uncomfortable can be a motivator to keep going and setting new goals, and achieving new heights.

9. Try something new.

If you want to get out of the place where you lack motivation, try something new.  Shake things up.  Rattle the cages and surprise yourself.

10. Get back to basics. 

By following a structured schedule, being kind to yourself, not overdoing it to the point that you’ll get burned out, and being positive, you are on the right track to accomplishing new things.

If you are like me (and most of the human race), you’ve had times where you lacked motivation and want to find it.  If your lack of motivation is causing problems in your life and you don’t know what to do, apply the above steps as a starting point.  If you need additional support, call us at The Balanced Life today at (256) 258-7777 and schedule an appointment. We are here to help.