How to Stay Motivated - These 3 Simple Tips will Help!

Sep 20

By Amanda Da Silva, B.Hkin, B.Ed, and M.Ed

5-minute read

Motivation is the key to sticking with any goal. Whether you’re trying to stay motivated so you can achieve important career or personal goals or so you can stick with an exercise or diet regime, these 3 simple tips will keep you going!

Learn how to stay motivated every day with these 3 simple strategies.

If you've been struggling to stay motivated, now is the time to get out of that rut.

Whether you want to stay motivated at work, school, or with a new goal, the three simple motivation strategies in this week's blog and video will get you back on track. These easy-to-follow tips will show you how to stay motivated every day, even if what's happening in your life and the world is exhausting or challenging.

No matter how tired you are (because let's be honest, if you've got kids, you're tired!) you can keep taking steps towards achieving your goals and following your dreams. I know that's true because I'm doing it myself. It isn't necessarily easy to stay motivated all the time, but I've come with ways to always get myself back on track.

We all have our moment of doubt, languidness, and utter disinterest.

However, what sets successful people apart from those who give up on their dreams is their ability to stay determined and motivated—especially during tough times.

Staying focused on what lies ahead can be a daunting task.

The digital world is full of distractions—internet rabbit holes, social media alerts, advertisers competing for your attention, and constant incoming texts. This barrage of distractions doesn't make it any easier.

So, how do you not give in to what seems easiest at the moment?

Motivation is key!

Watch the Video!

Here are 3 tips for staying motivated and sticking with your goals:

1) Adopt a Dedicated Attitude to Stay Motivated Every Day

For you to stay motivated, you have to first work on your attitude and mentality.

There are two types of motivation: positive and negative.

Positive motivation means you're more driven by the rewards of completing a given task. While negative motivation is when you focus on what will happen if you don't achieve that goal.

If you're quick to jump to the worst-case scenario, that only sets you up for additional anxiety, stress, and frustration. When you're too focused on the negative outcomes, it's hard to stay determined and resilient.

However, when you shift your mindset from a state of desperation to one of enthusiasm and excitement, you will begin to see the benefits.

Don't contemplate what you stand to lose from failing but rather what you stand to gain from succeeding. Picture your goal, channel your passion, and take action!

Maybe your reward for achieving a milestone goal is a tropical vacation. (Fingers crossed travel becomes easier soon!) So let that picture soak into your mind and allow it to motivate you. Always use positive motivation as the fuel for your fire!

Whenever you're on the verge of spiralling down into those unproductive thoughts, choose a positive affirmation, and repeat it to yourself.

Use Positive Self-Talk:

“I believe in myself.”

“I am capable of whatever I set my mind to.”

The act of reiterating phrases like "I believe in myself" or "I am capable of whatever I set my mind to" reinforces that sense of determination.

2) Stay Motivated by Reminding Yourself of Your WHY

If you have a set of goals or tasks to accomplish, you must be aware of your 'why.'

This is the thing that gets you out of bed despite how exhausted you are. It's what keeps you going no matter how many obstacles you face. It's also what drives you to work hard and be the best version of yourself that you can possibly be.

You need a reason to get out of bed every day. And yes, a great cup of coffee helps. But knowing your WHY is even more powerful!

Knowing your 'why' is essential if you want to get and stay motivated.

Not only does it instill you with a sense of purpose, but it also creates necessity. Having a self-created necessity stems from knowing why or for whom you want to achieve your goals and pursue your dreams.

You can't set a goal or a plan to reach that goal without knowing the reasoning behind this venture. So whenever you catch yourself faltering or contemplating giving up, remind yourself of why you're doing this.

Though keep in mind that your 'why' needs to be big enough that it drives you to take action.

If you haven't figured that out yet, it's time to dig deeper and embark on an insightful self-exploration odyssey.

3) Recondition Your Self-Talk to Boost Self-Motivation

The way you talk to yourself internally directly influences your determination and motivation.

The brain believes what you tell it most. So how do you speak to yourself? Does it sound like this:

● I have horrible luck

● I'm not very creative

● I'm no good at…

● Things never work out for me

● I'm terrible with people

If any of these phrases sound familiar to you, you might be holding on to negative self-truths.

These truths aren't necessarily accurate or representative of who you are as a person but rather stem from what you've been conditioned to believe.

If that's the case, then you need to reframe the way you talk to yourself. Not only are self-limiting beliefs tremendously unproductive and discouraging, but they hold no value.

They will only set you far back in your path to success.

While letting go of these motivation buzzkills takes time and practice, you have to try. Committing to change is the most challenging part, but it can be incredibly rewarding.

The Takeaway

Motivation and productivity go hand in hand.

If you want to achieve more, you need to take a closer look at your attitude, mindset, and self-talk. You also need to keep a constant reminder of your 'why' within reach. When you stumble, it can act as your safety net. Then you bounce back, rediscover your purpose, and stride towards greatness!