No doubt we've all been in a slump at some stage in our life. Being in a rut can be incredibly debilitating and take a toll on your work, relationships and self-esteem. Thankfully, there are a few tried and true tactics for getting back on your feet. Here are 4 easy ways to max your motivation.
1. Just Do It
Ask celebrity personal trainer Michelle Bridges how to stay motivated and she'll say it's a crock! Since motivation comes and goes like emotions, Michelle believes that the way to reach your goals and pull yourself out of a slump is to just "turn up and do it."
So if you're looking for motivation to exercise, try not to think about it and give yourself an excuse to crawl back into bed. Instead, pull on your trainers and run out the door before you change your mind. In this way, taking action becomes your motivation.
2. Set One Goal
Many experts say that often we end up stuck in our tracks because we try to take on too much at once. Trying to change your job, car, partner, bank balance and waistline? Trying to accomplish all those goals at once is a recipe for exhaustion and probably not a lot of achievement. Instead, try to focus on just one thing that you want to achieve this week.
Let's say you want to look for a new job. On a piece of paper, break the goal down using the SMART principle – make it specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely. Then, begin your job hunt and go for interviews. When you land a role, reward yourself with something small and move on to your next goal. You may find the sense of achievement gained from landing a new job will spur you on to kick even more goals.
3. Get Pumped
Most of us don't like striving for something that doesn't get us excited. What's the point in trying to swim three times a week when you hate swimming? Instead, focus on something that gets you really pumped up and tell your friends and loved ones about it. Read up on how to achieve your goal and put an action plan into place so that you can visualise yourself reaching it. You'll probably find that the buzz you generate will get you out of a slump and move you forward.
4. Seek Help
Still feeling unmotivated? It may be a good idea to chat with a counsellor or life coach, to learn some practical goal-setting skills and talk about your experience. Feeling unmotivated may be a symptom of depression, so consider consulting a health practitioner for a diagnosis.
Originally published on Apr 22, 2013
