There may be times throughout your life when negativity seems to overtake you, threatening to suffocate your hopes and dreams. When this happens, it can be difficult getting through your day without allowing those negative feelings to overwhelm you. There are some things in life that you can’t control, and sometimes what happens to you is one of them. The most important thing you can be aware of is that you while you can’t control every single aspect of your life, you can control the way you respond to issues. And there are actually some simple ways to stay motivated and face forward with hope and a positive outlook.
It is important to find ways to create a positive environment for yourself so that you can begin to be more motivated to achieve your goals and dreams. Staying motivated through the tough times is a crucial step to ensure your happiness and success. Some of these may be quite personal to you. For example, clearing my head with a walk on the beach or some time spent in church can really help reset my thinking. But there are also some basics that can serve pretty much anyone quite well.
SIMPLE WAYS TO STAY MOTIVATED
Control What You Can
Learn to recognize the difference between situations you can control, and those that you can’t. Put aside any worry you have about circumstances that are very clearly beyond your control. Things may not always work out the way you have planned, but it’s important to move on. The sooner you get over past failures, the quicker you can move on to your next victory. Just remember, only you can control your own reactions and actions.
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”
Expect Results
Having an attitude of expectancy will help you to be more motivated. If you go through your day expecting to achieve the results you have set out to achieve, chances are you will get those results. Okay wait, let’s take a pause here for a moment. Cyn, are you saying that I am going to get anything and everything I want simply because I expect it? Well, the short answer is no. Some may disagree with me. I know there is a philosophy that says you are supposed to visualize and expect what you want and it will come to you but I believe there’s more to it.
You need realistic expectations and you need to work for them. That said, especially in tough times, simply setting smaller more frequent goals can be quite motivating. Today, I am going to take a shower. (Yes that’s how basic it can become when you’re having a rough time). Once I take a shower, I will feel more relaxed. Or perhaps in more of a business sense, you’re going to set a goal like today I will find one person to share my business with and this will help begin setting a foundation of success. Or with your family, maybe it will be today I will spend half an hour playing with my kids with no distractions and this will help make for a more peaceful dinnertime.
My mantra: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
Create a Mantra
It is a good idea to have a personal mantra you use to keep yourself motivated. It doesn’t have to be a long mantra; a few powerful words will do the trick. There are many motivational quotes out there that will work as a positive motivator to propel you in the direction you need to go. Just Google motivational quotes and you will find a plethora of them!
“An empty lantern provides no light. Self-care is the fuel that allows your light to shine brightly.” – Unknown
Take Care of You
Taking care of yourself is an extremely important step to increase your motivation. Make sure that you are getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods and getting some exercise. The way you treat your body can greatly affect your psychological well-being, so you need to take care of it.
“Life is what happens to us while we are making other plans.”
Have a Plan
Failing to plan is planning to fail. Remember that. Take the time to plan out your day, every single day. Keeping yourself mentally prepared for the day is a great way to ensure that you have the motivation and direction you need to get things done. Remember, plans don’t necessarily have to mean a schedule right down to every single second. Planning in time blocks and building in down time can be the key to getting things done and still being able to breathe.
These may seem like simple (and perhaps even obvious) ideas but when faced with a stressful situation, it’s easy to overlook them. Placing your focus on these points can get you back on the path of hope, growth, and moving towards your goals.
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