I don’t think I’m alone in saying it’s been pretty hard to spark motivation of late.
While we could do a deep-dive, finger pointing session as to why things feel stuck in our new Delta-variant world, that conversation will only make us more stuck.
Instead, let’s talk about how we can unstick ourselves. How we can jumpstart changes in our own lives no matter what’s going on in our social media or news feeds.
1. Start Small
“The longest journey starts with a single step” is a saying we’ve all heard.
An important corollary to that statement is that if you only focus on the long journey instead of those early steps, there’s a good chance you will get frustrated that you haven’t arrived at that journey’s end and give up.
So, while keeping an eye on the prize, be sure to break that big goal into smaller milestones that you can celebrate.
Feel like you need to lose 50 pounds? Be excited about the first three without comparing to how far you need to go.
2. Lean to Enjoy the Process- Trickery Encouraged!
As anything but a naturally-inclined workout person, there is no way I am going to go to bed one night and wake up the next day craving a miles-long run.
However, I do love podcasts, talking to my friends on the phone, and window shopping. So taking long walks through the neighborhood, including window-shopping and long conversations, is how I get my steps in on a consistent basis.
Walking has become a treat instead of a chore, and in the process I’ve been able to keep the COVID-19 weight gain at bay.
3. Reward Yourself
Is there something you’ve been putting off? Cleaning out your closet? Making a difficult phone call?
Think about a way you can gamify the situation; set up the task as with a reward for completion. You can buy those shoes, get that massage, or take a nap once you’ve completed that challenging task.
4. Do Your Hardest Tasks in the Morning
Willpower and determination are the gasoline that keep us going through the day.
And like gasoline in tank, they run out as the day wears on.
So, if you’ve got a big task…don’t think, “I will get to it later.” Because chances are you won’t!
5. Measure Your Progress
Facts may be facts, but feelings have a funny way of skewing our realities. If we are feeling badly about ourselves, we may feel like we haven’t made any progress towards a goal, when in fact we actually have brought in more revenue, made progress on a fitness plan, or started to de-clutter.
So be sure to document your wins. Track your workouts, look at your increases, and give yourself some credit so that when feelings start derailing realities, you can remind yourself how far you’ve come and that you can go ever further.
6. Ask for Help
Making changes sometimes means asking for help.
Instead of feeling like that is a weakness, see it as way to maximize your return on energetic investment. Getting assistance – whether with a trainer, a coach, or even an assistant – will leverage your efforts and bring you closer to where you want to be, faster and more easily.
I encourage you to try one (or many) of these and see what steps you can take to stoke motivation and build momentum!
It was helpful to read this and remember that all the “boring” everyday chores are actually useful. They contribute to my lifestyle, even though it may not be that glamourous.
My family and friends are basically healthy, as am I. Can’t put a price on this!