This article was last updated on March 27, 2016
Sometimes, when I wake up in the morning, it’s difficult to get motivated to get out of bed, much less get motivated to be productive — and don’t even try to get me to smile about it. Taxes are looming, bills need to be paid, my businesses need constant attention, and it just feels like too much.
It’s normal to have feelings of overwhelm that get you down and can keep you from feeling motivated to move forward. But staying motivated to progress in your personal and professional life takes conscious daily effort. Like all other habits, finding motivation takes practice, patience, and a positive attitude.
I’ve found over the years that my businesses and my relationships improve when am motivated to try, and I guarantee that with a little effort on your part, you’ll find the same great results. Here are five quick tips for finding all the motivation you can muster.
1. Change your attitude towards life.
When you’re happy and positive even about frustrating and mundane things, you’re more likely to have a motivated lifestyle. However you choose to view your work and your relationships are how they will exist. If you consider your entrepreneurial goals like chores, that’s what they’ll be; and if you think of them as lucky opportunities, they’ll be that, too. You get to decide what filter you apply to your life, and a positive one will make it easier.
2. Set reasonable goals.
Set achievable goals — not necessarily for ten years out, but for today: the next few hours, or this week. When you set goals and reach them, it keeps you motivated and positive, because you see real results. Years-long goals can make it feel like nothing is being accomplished, which makes it easy to lose sight of the ultimate end-game.
3. Surround yourself with motivated people.
A team of people who can keep you motivated, keep you on goal, will congratulate you, and see you through those hard times will make a world of difference to your motivation. Oftentimes, the friends and family that you have around you will affect your mood and outlook. So if you deliberately choose positive, hard-working, motivated entrepreneurs to hang out with, guess what you’ll become?
4. Look to sources of inspiration.
When you’re struggling, it’s going to help you to look to others who have been there before. Find your best role models, and keep their words, videos, and even pictures nearby so you can remember those who’ve paved the way.
5. Never give up.
It’s too easy to give up, and that first step is the hardest. So, once you get going, stick with it. It’s far too easy to start something for a week, not see it through, and give up when the going gets hard. Over time, that quitting is discouraging because you don’t achieve what you wanted. Find goals that you can achieve, and stick with it.
Murray Newlands would be thrilled if you’d share this story with your networks.
Photo credit: Unsplash.com
