Do you find it not always easy to stay motivated? That is to say, to keep the inner motivation, when the outside is chaotic? You know, staying motivated when things aren’t necessarily going the way we want them to? When we feel that we don’t control a lot of things?
Yes, it takes a certain inner strength to stay motivated. Or is it the fact of being in action that gives the energy to continue? I often say that for the majority of people, you have to start taking action TO be motivated, and not the other way around.
For example: if I’m not motivated to go for a jog, it’s not by sitting still that the motivation will find 😊 me, it’s rather by putting on my running shoes and going. This is where less than 5 minutes later I will feel the joy or pride of having gone, as well as the motivation to continue.
This works for a task at work, a household task, for a sport, or for a project. In short, for everything!
➡ This advice to take action in order to stay motivated will help you with the following 7 other tips.
❗ Warning: this article is contextual two years later in a global 😉 pandemic If you read it and the examples don’t make sense anymore, don’t worry, the coaches’ questions still are!
Do you prefer video to text? Watch the video recap of the article below.
Here are my 7 tips to stay motivated
1: I choose my relationships
They say you don’t choose your family or your neighborhood, but in fact, you choose who you interact with and what topics you talk about every day.
I filter who I talk to, how often, and what I talk about.
Of course not everyone likes it, but if you want to keep your energy and motivation, filter who you meet, how often and the topics you discuss.
Stop suffering and losing energy to please someone. Some topics are just not positive in your relationship right now. It’s all about the choices you make. I’m not saying to eliminate relationships, I’m inviting you to choose the relationships, the frequencies of interactions and the subjects to be addressed.
This does not prevent you from loving these people and respecting them.
For example: when I go on social networks to clear my mind, if some people affect me negatively, I filter their posts. I still love these people, but right now, I’m simply filtering.
Coach Questions
- If you look at your relationships, which ones are negatively impacting your energy or motivation these days? What for?
- What do you need? (If you need a difficult conversation, read this article in order to avoid the most common mistake)
2: I use my time consciously
Already, by taking care of my relationships, I have just saved a lot of time and energy by dwelling on negative stories. 😉
It may shock you, but I admit that I haven’t been bored since the pandemic. I talked to my friends every week, I worked and in difficult times I created new projects, I played sports, I also changed houses and offices (it keeps me busy), renovated my cottage, while sometimes homeschooling.
I know that not everyone experiences the same situation in the same way, everyone has their own luck and bad luck. You know that the land is not greener elsewhere. Just because I found what I was looking for doesn’t mean I’m still motivated and happy with the situation. (I also know that some people may envy you, but they’re not ready to live your problems.)
In adversity, I tell myself that it’s temporary, that I’ll come out of it stronger and I look for learning opportunities. This resilience allows me to stay motivated. (Here’s another article that talks about it.)
In short, I avoid spending time on what is not positive for me, at the moment. (It’s all temporary!)
Coach Questions:
- How do you use your time?
- In your use, what do you like?
- In your use, what costs you energy and motivation?
- How could you innovate or just accept what’s going on?
3: I filter the information that enters my brain
I don’t listen to the television bulletins of the major channels. Anyway, my phone throws me important news, according to an algorithm. I read the headlines and if I’m interested, I read, otherwise I pass.
Make your choices. For example: subscribe to posts on topics that really interest you! There are multiple sites, there is information from other provinces or countries that can be very interesting. There are tons of books.
The possibilities to truly choose what goes into your brain are endless.
Coach Questions:
- What information do you want to receive?
- What topics are you interested in?
- If your job requires you to watch the TV newscast and it affects you, how much of that information do you really need? Where could you find them? Who else could give them to you?
4: I target my goals
My goals are ambitious, but they were realistic. They challenge me without weighing me down. I have no hesitation in adjusting them as needed.
I manage my time diligently. Seriously. I always work a reasonable number of hours, except occasionally. There’s a big difference between taking time for projects or people that are important to us and feeling overwhelmed.
The time spent in the chosen places suits me. That’s what’s important. I don’t feel overwhelmed, for example, or stressed, or frustrated. Whenever it can happen, I adjust it right away.
Coach Questions:
- Do you have any goals?
- Do your goals motivate you?
- Do you have a clear plan to achieve them?
- And is this plan in your timetable, in a very concrete way?
5: I take care of my workspace
Whether your workspace is in a downtown office, in an industrial space or on your dining room table, the same rule applies: take care of your environment. This will keep you motivated. What for?
Because working on a clean kitchen table is much better than working on a table that still has crumbs from breakfast! If you’re having trouble putting your things on your table, that’s a sign!
I’m exaggerating a bit, but yes, if your workspace is upside down OR filled with distractions, it’s going to be hard to stay motivated.
When I create a leadership program or a workshop, there are papers and pencils everywhere, a computer, a screen, etc. And if during my creative day I have a meeting with a client and I’m looking for where to put my notebook, that’s a sign! I’m going to take 5 minutes before my meeting to gather my things and be completely focused on my next meeting.
To conclude on this point, I try to have as little distraction as possible. My phone is within earshot, but not within reach. My email receiving software is not always open.
Your workspace has a big impact on your productivity.
Coach Questions:
- How could you improve your workspace?
- What routine or ritual could you give yourself to keep your workspace tidy, uncluttered and motivating?
6: I take breaks
🤐 I know that talking about breaks can be a sensitive topic for managers, because they don’t usually take them!
My days aren’t perfect, but I always do three things:
- I have a transition time of at least 15 minutes between each meeting or different topics in a day
- I always take a 60-minute break for lunch and change my environment. If you work in the kitchen, well, close your computer and take a moment for yourself. I don’t eat while working.
- I connect in person at least once a day with someone who is not a friend of mine. How do you do that in the middle of a pandemic? I take a walk and say hello, I chat with the cashiers and clerks of the shops I visit. I sometimes chat for 5 minutes with people. It makes them feel good, and so do I. We are instructed to distance ourselves, not to ignore each other! ❤
These are my ways of functioning. Yours may be different.
The important thing here is to understand what you need.
Coach Questions:
- What would a really rejuvenating break be for you?
- And how often?
- What would motivate you to do so?
- What are the obstacles you will encounter and how will you work around them?
7. I take care of my body
The above elements are good for my mind. But my body also needs me to take care of it. I move, I eat well, I drink water. The basics!
I also take time for personal care, outside or at home: nails, massage, hairdresser, etc.
💥Before the holidays I lacked a bit of motivation, so I bought my son a watch that counts steps and we challenge each other. Do a step competition with a person of that age and you’ll see it’s motivating!
Coach Questions:
- If your body told you what it needs, what would it tell you?
Conclusion
I have challenges, problems. Like you. But you know what I do when I have a problem? When I stress? (Apart from the items mentioned above…)
I refocus. I ask myself questions, like: do I still want this or that? What would be the best decision to make in this situation?
The pandemic didn’t stop me from moving towards what I really wanted. I know that I am my only limit.
You are your only limit.
The main thrust of this article is to take care of your mental and physical health. The point to remember is to love yourself, to take care of yourself, to love others, no matter what their opinion is. We need union with ourselves and others, not more division.