How To Keep Yourself Motivated: 10 Actionable Tips

Motivation – the word often used but barely understood.

Isn’t it true that we find a lot of people talking about motivation? But, how deeply it is understood, no one knows. Besides, how impactful it is when it comes from an external source concerns me, too.

Whatever it is, I am of the belief that if it is not self-driven, it will not last long. Be it motivation or anything, if you don’t feel it internally, you can’t retain it for a long time. By this, I certainly don’t disagree with the measures that provide you motivation externally. But if given a deep thought, does it really brings in motivation or just boosts the one that is already present in there.

Believing that it is self-motivation that is more stimulating than external motivation, I am sharing some tips with you that will keep you motivated from inside. Because, no matter how self-provoked you are, you need to stir the get-up-and-go attitude quite often.

Here are the tips on how to keep yourself motivated and focused towards the destination you wish to reach. So, whether you are a college student or a working professional, these tips will refill the motivation.

1. Set Goals

Before you start anything, visualize the results you expect from it. Setting goals not only defines your expectations from the task but also assists you in taking concrete steps towards it. Be it big or small, envisioning results gives you motivation.

If you have already set the goals, then remind yourself about them from time to time. They’ll help you keep going. If you know where you want to go, the motivation to be there will thrive automatically.

2. Stay Focused
   

If you have a goal in mind, focus is a must. One without other is of no use. Losing focus is natural, but how to regain it; that’s where the challenge lies. Keep on reminding yourself about what you are doing and why.

There might be times when you’ll lose track of things. To bring yourself back on the track you can try some steps such as, pen down the things that you need to do. Make a list of stuff that you aspire to achieve by the end of a task.

3. Focus On Parts Rather Than The Whole

You cannot reach the pinnacle all at once, only a steady & gradual walk will take you there.

Realize that no battle is won in a single stroke, because the sooner you realize, the better you’ll perform.

So, instead of focusing on the whole, focus on the parts. Divide your task into simpler and smaller pieces and take steps to accomplish them. For instance, to become a pilot you’ll have to begin with getting a degree, then you’ll learn the skills to fly a plane, and eventually you’ll need to obtain a license. You will become a pilot only if you follow the trail. Therefore, set small targets and achieve them one by one.

4. Keep A Check On Yourself

A timely check on your performance is advisable, but don’t judge yourself solely on the basis of it. If your performance is not up to the mark, don’t be demoralized. Instead, become more resolute, challenge yourself for the next goal that you set.

Analyze how far you have come, what accomplishments you have made, and the most important, their contribution towards your goal.

Using this tip correctly will boost your motivation, but using it as a judgement tool can be pernicious.

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5. Inspire Yourself

However self-determined & self-motivated we are, there comes a point when we need some extra inspiration.

What to do at that time?

How to fill that gap? How to serve your motivation lag?

Well, the world has a lot of inspirational stories to tell. You can read the inspirational stories of the people who stood high despite the hurdles that blocked their way.

6. Celebrate Your Accomplishments
   

Isn’t it great to get rewards for your achievements?

Why do we always want others to notice our accomplishments and reward us?

Can’t we acknowledge our achievements ourselves?

Singing a success song for yourself is no harm. If you are a better person than yesterday, appreciate. Of course, don’t brag about it all the time but, sometimes, patting your back is good for self-motivation.

So, next time when you achieve something, reward yourself with an ice-cream, a day off, or an outing you were resisting for a long time.

7. Choose Your Company Wisely

“Surround yourself with the people that reflect who you want to be and how you want to feel, energies are contagious.”                  
  – Rachel Wolchin

Stay with the people who motivate you.  The ones that make you feel worthy and stimulate optimism, motivation, determination, and confidence in you.

Believe it or not, it helps!

Your company is your biggest strength and weakness, all at the same time. Staying with the people who are self-driven and focused will apparently make you one of them. Always keep a check on your company as an individual is known by his company.

8. Don’t Stop But Learn from Your Mistakes

Imagine yourself fumbling on a task just because you made more mistakes than your peers.  Is that something to woe about or something to learn from? Giving up on your task as it didn’t happen the way you wanted will obstruct your growth while learning from those faults will give you motivation.

Mistakes help you grow, but repeating mistakes makes you stagnant. There is no harm in committing mistakes. The situation is bad only if you repeat them a lot of times.

9. Exercise

There is no remedy better than a physical activity to forestall low self-esteem and depression. A small walk, short run, a few jumping jacks & shadow-boxes will surely uplift your mood. Even a light physical activity like taking your dog for a stroll will make you feel energetic and enthusiastic.

Whenever you feel low on motivation, elevate it by some physical activity. A healthy body incorporates a healthy mind. And if your mind and body are sound, you will not regret the decisions you take and the choices you make.

10. Be Cautious While You Compare

Most of us make wrong comparisons, and it is a fact.  

Keep on reading to find out how.

But before I answer, tell me, what is the first thing that strikes your mind when you hear the word – ‘Comparison?’ And do you find it right to compare yourself with others?

Trust me, if you don’t want to run out of motivation, stop comparing yourself with others. Stop it right now!

Comparing with others is awful and distressing.

Now the question is how to use comparison in a right way? So, here goes the solution.

Compare YOUR past with YOUR present. Yes, if you want to check how far you have come, what improvements you have made. Figure out the ways to become a better person than you were yesterday. This is what the right way is. This is what that will inspire you. Comparing with others will only build jealousy and judgements. But comparing with yourself will motivate you.

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