Every day we are given the chance to improve what we didn’t accomplish the day before. Sure, it’s easy to set a goal in your mind, but what does it mean to actually take the necessary steps to obtain that goal?
Take working out for example. The entire month of December, you geared up for the New Year, new you mentality. You thought about going to the gym, meal prepping and cutting out junk food. The fantasy was glorious! You were motivated and excited.
Come January 1st, you worked out like a champ and even ate clean. However, by the time February rolled around, the obligations of everyday life began to set in and you simply didn’t make time for your fitness goals. Does this predicament sound familiar?
Taking action requires first, setting the goal and putting work into your plan. If you wish to go back to school, begin your journey by narrowing down your major. If you want to eat healthier, try replacing one meal a day with something clean. It doesn’t matter how quickly you arrive at the party; it just matters that you arrive!
Taking Action Requires…Taking Action!
Although it sounds redundant, this encompasses more than just saying what you want to do. You have to take those initial steps and that requires physical activity. If you hate your job and desperately want a change, it does nothing to constantly say “I hate my job; I need a change.”
You have to get your computer out and begin to apply! Imagine if Steve Jobs sat around in his garage repeating to himself, “I’m going to revolutionize the tech industry,” effortlessly hoping a computer would magically appear on his desk. The entire world of technology as we know would have been completely different. He needed to put in the necessary work, even if debilitating obstacles stood in his way.
Sure, whatever it is that you are striving for may seem impossible. It may even seem scary and overwhelming. You have to realize how much potential you really have and allow that to be your fuel. Fear cannot hold you back. It is merely another excuse. There has to be a sense of humility paired with the determination that enables you to power through the challenges and accomplish your dreams.
When your feelings of inadequacy begin to outweigh your feelings of comfort, you’ll begin to grow tired. You’ll want to do everything you can to diminish that feeling and become your optimal self. The intolerable nature of your current situation should be the motivating force behind getting up, going out, and obtaining what you want.
A few tips to stay motivated:
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Start Now
Procrastination is the killer of all dreams. Tomorrow is such a bittersweet concept that pacifies our excuses. Don’t wait until a “convenient” time to begin working towards your goals. In reality, there is no convenient time to challenge yourself. Even if the steps towards progress are small, they will eventually count toward your bigger vision. Make it a goal to do one thing a day that will eventually get you closer to where you want to be.
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Create a Vision Board
Vision boards are excellent reminders that can keep you on track and help you to stay accountable. Using a corkboard, pin different pictures, and motivational quotes that inspire you. Hang your board in an area where you can look at every day. The goal is to visually outline your goals so you can organize your thoughts and have a clear picture of where you want to be. Not to mention, they’re a blast to create!
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Fully Immerse Yourself In Your Dream
One of the best ways to increase your motivation is to stay up to date on your area of interest. Take cooking for example. If your goal is to become a master chef, learn everything you can about cooking. Learn the history, learn about the top performers. Maybe shadow a chef to soak up their experience. Whatever it is that you’re wanting to do must be of interest to you. Educate yourself to the best of your ability and that excitement will give you that extra push to keep going.
This is the year of accomplishing our goals and living our best life. Sure, it’s easy to become complacent and result in old habits. However, why not encourage yourself to act beyond your means. We are all capable of accomplishing something great. We just need to find that passion and allow that to be our driving force to staying motivated. Allowing your actions to define you as opposed to your words, will help you advance on the road to success!
