19 Ways to Get Motivated + 5 Good Habits to Stay Motivated

Reference: https://www.betterup.com/blog/how-to-get-motivated

19 Ways to Get Motivated

1. Reassess your goals
– to feel inspired by life plan
– realistic (can accomplish in your current time frame)
– ensure your goals are attainable to help grow motivation

2. Start small
– break long-term goals into small steps
– to keep checking off along the way
– adjust the steps as you need

3. Remember what motivated you in the first place
– Why did you start?
– As long as it keeps you going, then they’re valid.
– Stick with whatever motivates you, and don’t forget it.

4. Take motivation from others
– Find positivity & inspiration:
— Talk to your friend or mentor
— read a book
— listen to an upbeat playlist
– Be open-minded, learn how others find motivation
– Listening to others might expand your perspective on how to gain motivation

5. Take a break
– step away from whatever task you’re working on and take a short break
– allows us to reset our minds, hone our focus, and be more efficient when we need to get back on track

6. Practice self-care
– Sleep well, taking time to relax, reading, exercising, hobby (painting)
– create a healthy and manageable self-care plan
– whatever makes you feel rejuvenated and refreshed

7. Do unwanted tasks with things you enjoy
– putting on your favorite playlist or motivational podcast when cleaning the house
– ask a friend to accompany to run errands
– as long as the fun doesn’t distract you from your task

8. Reward yourself for your efforts
– not only when you finish a task
– try breaking task up with some rewards along the way
– e.g., working 30 mins + having 5 mins stretch break
– writing 5 pages of report + taking 10 mins walk
– ensure your rewards aren’t counterproductive and don’t derail your focus

9. Practice self-compassion
– Self-criticism isn’t going to motivate you, it’s going to harm your motivation
– speak kindly to yourself, quiet your inner critic
– when you make a mistake or something doesn’t go according to plan, your self-compassion will help you problem-solve through it
– example: telling yourself meaningful and positive affirmations, talking to yourself as you would to a friend

10. Visualize success
– Close your eyes and vividly imagine yourself successfully completing your goals

11. Create a vision board
– Make a visual representation of your goals and dreams using images, words, and symbols.
– Having a vision board in your workspace can be a constant reminder of what you’re working towards

12. Set specific deadlines
– Establish clear and specific deadlines for your tasks and goals
– create a sense of urgency and motivate you to stay on track.

13. Find an accountability partner
– Share your goals with a friend or family member who can hold you accountable
– Regular check-ins and encouragement from someone you trust can help keep you motivated.

14. Break tasks into time blocks
– break your work into focused time blocks with short breaks in between (e.g., Pomodoro Technique)
– make tasks feel more manageable and prevent burnout.

15. Seek inspiration from role models
– Look up to people who have achieved what you aspire to accomplish
– Study their journeys, setbacks, and successes to gain inspiration and insights.

16. Embrace failure as a learning opportunity
– Don’t let fear of failure hold you back.
– View setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow.
– The resilience you gain from failures can drive you to keep moving forward.

17. Practice mindfulness
– stay present and reduce stress
– fostering a calm and focused mindset

18. Declutter your workspace
– A clutter-free and organized workspace can boost your motivation and productivity
– Remove distractions and create an environment that promotes concentration.

19. Join a supportive community
– Find groups, forums, or clubs related to your interests or goals.
– Being part of a community with similar aspirations can provide encouragement and a sense of belonging.

5 Good habits to sustain your motivation

1. Choose goals that interest you
– easier to stay motivated when you enjoy something
– see the value in the task or the journey itself

2. Develop a routine
– It takes an average of 66 days for a behavior to become a habit
– Staying motivated: a skill you must develop like any other.
– Be patient and adhere to your routine.
– Structuring your day: ensure that you work efficiently and stay on top of things, keep the momentum going.

3. Surround yourself with a positive support network
– Negativity weighs everyone down, no matter how driven, and leads to self-doubt.
– Negativity drains you of motivation and makes it difficult to gain it back.
– Immerse yourself in an environment with people who understand and support you — it’ll make all the difference.
– Practicing positive self-talk: to boost your mental state and connect with positive people around you.

4. Find a mentor
– Mentors and coaches greatly help maintain ambition.
– Working with people who have been where we are and empathizing with our struggles and worries helps us feel motivated and encouraged.
– Mentor/coach: can be a teacher, coworker, coach, or counselor. Providing motivation is a staple of great coaching.

5. Regularly review your goals and progress
– Take time to look back and see how far you’ve come: will boost your self-esteem and give you a reason to continue.
– Journaling is a great way to track your progress and remember how far you’ve come.