Getting Motivated, Staying Motivated.

Many people, myself included, struggle with staying motivated.

I can only speak from my own experience and my interactions with clients, but here goes.

I know that we live in an instant gratification society - everything happens so fast, we expect or demand that our goals happen rapidly, too. This just isn’t realistic. We set big goals in terms of weight loss, fitness level, weight lifting achievements, but we fail to have the patience to follow through with those goals. Many of us never even write down the big goals.

Sit down and write down your big goal. It needs to be realistic and attainable. Now, working backwards from that goal, set smaller goals. These goals can be simple and daily. Things like the amount of time you will do cardio, or the number of servings of vegetables you will eat on a given day.

Mini-goals will help you build a feeling of success - a pattern of achievement, if you will. Your mind is a tricky place, if you don’t really believe that you can do something, you will sabotage the effort somehow.

On days that you are feeling unmotivated - reread your goals list, then spend a few minutes visualizing the scenario of your success. What will you look like? What will it feel like? Where will you be? How will it change your life? Get fired up, get involved in your life. You only get one…

There is a wealth of articles and tips online that will help keep you motivated - Google motivation and check some out - I find that reading something inspirational gets me ready to succeed on days that I just want to go back to bed.

Another great thing is to find success stories of people with similar goals to yours, look online or find an inspirational book that speaks to you and your goals.

Pick a phrase that means something to you - something that motivates you and use it as a mantra when you feel your focus blurring. It can be something as simple as‘I can do this’ to a more direct affirmation ‘I am a health conscious person who takes care of their body.’ Either way, keep it positive and make it future oriented as if you are already the person you want to become.

"I can do This"

There are so many facets to motivation - it is hard to cover them all. If you are in a tight spot that is dampening your enthusiasm, find a light in the situation. Look for the way that the current challenge will make you a stronger person, what it will teach you, how you are heroic in overcoming this situation.

This is your life, choose to live it. Choose to be in the power seat. Choose to train your mind to help you achieve your goals. Never stop learning or growing.

"Mind is all that counts. You can be whatever you make up your mind to be". - Robert Collier

Till next time

Amy Simmer