Introduction
Anyone can come up with a goal, but not everyone has the ability to achieve it. For that to happen, you need to take action first. Goals are not like dreams or prayers. You cannot just close your eyes and wish for it to happen. You have to do something.
But of course, it does not end there. Certainly, taking the first step toward reaching your goal is the most crucial but it is not the only thing you have to do. There are a lot more steps to take and work hard on, and for that you need to be focused.
You need to learn how to ignore distraction. Perhaps in a perfect world, no person would have to be subjected to distraction when trying to accomplish a goal. But this is reality, and distraction comes in all shapes and sizes.
Sometimes, distraction comes from within. This is the worst obstacle of all because how do you ignore something that lives inside your mind or heart? This is when motivation kicks in. As the old adage goes, when the going gets tough, the going gets tougher.
1. Goals are like a destination that you have to reach.
2. Taking action is what gives you direction toward your goal.
3. Staying focused ensures that you are always on the right path.
4. And lastly, motivation is what makes sure that you will do anything and everything to reach the end of the path, arrive at your destination, and achieve your goal.
This is a never ending and rather flexible cycle. At times, you will need to motivate yourself in order to take action. Other times, you need to take action to stay focused. In any case, which goes first does not matter so do not be surprised if you find yourself jumping from one tip to another. What matters is that you are taking all the positive steps toward reaching your goal.
So if you are ready to finally make your goal come true, then here goes!
Tips to Get Motivated!
Tip Number 1: Remember that checklist? Do not forget to tick it off!
Seeing your checklist near to completion will always work as a great boost to your confidence. If you were able to accomplish so much already, surely you can accomplish the rest of your tasks?
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Tip Number 2: Use affirmations.
Affirmations are basically positive statements that you tell to yourself repeatedly like a mantra. These are supposed to help you enjoy a positive frame of mind and be more confident about accomplishing your goal.
Some people say that affirmations should not use potential forms of verbs like “I can”. In order to further convince themselves of their abilities, affirmations should start with words such as “I will…” and “I am…” because you are that sure about yourself.
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Tip Number 3: Think of internal rewards to congratulate yourself.
Positive reinforcement is always a good thing so do not forget to give yourself a pat on the back when you have completed one of the most fundamental steps to achieving your goal.
Now is the time to start tweeting about your latest task. Let yourself bask in the praise of your loved ones and friends as this will surely get you going.
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Tip Number 4: Reward yourself materially as well.
Material rewards certainly matter, too. It does not have anything extravagant although if it is something you can afford and truly want, then you can also promise yourself a big reward when you reach your goal.
Try to be a little creative about your rewards. You can pamper yourself with a massage, take a trip out of town, or allow yourself a night out dining in the most expensive restaurant in the area.
It can also be something as simple as letting yourself laze the weekend away doing nothing and enjoying other small luxuries that you usually do not have time for.
Ultimately, just think about what will make you happy – and do it!
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Tip Number 5: Reassess your goal.
Sometimes, the reason why you have a hard time motivating yourself is because your goal is no longer important. From time to time, you should re-evaluate your goal and find out if it still as important or it needs a little redefining.
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Tip Number 6: Always search for the brighter side.
Do not think that there is no brighter side because there always is. If you feel you have hit rock bottom, there is still a bright side. When you are down, there is no way else but up!
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Tip Number 7: Look for a role model.
A role model does not have to be someone perfect, famous, or even older than you. Rather, that role model has qualities that you so admire and you wish to have because you will become a better person for it.
When you feel like giving up, think about your role model. No one is immune to having temptations but every person has the power to say ‘no’ to it. Your role model was strong enough to say ‘no’ to distraction and stay focused. Surely you can do it, too?
In the end, both of you are flesh and blood mortals – capable of doing the same thing as long as you put your mind to it.
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Tip Number 8: Search for inspiration.
Role models are different from inspiration. Role models are someone you try to emulate. People, things, or places to inspire you are also like goals, though. Why is becoming wealthy your goal? It is because you want to give your parents a chance to retire early. Then your parents are your inspiration.
When you are extremely frustrated about what is happening and you feel like throwing the towel, picture your parents and what they will be like if they have to continue working for years in spite of their frail health.
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Tip Number 9: Do not fail to take advantage of the power of visualization.
It is easier to keep yourself motivated when you are able to visualize reaching your dream. Close your eyes and try to imagine what would happen if you were to reach your goal. How would it feel? What would happen afterwards?
Make it so vivid that you can actually feel the joy of reaching your dream.
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Tip Number 10: Proverbs are there for a reason.
If you have noticed, proverbs and old sayings have been used throughout the boo
k quite frequently. That is because they are true. Clichés have become clichés because they have been said too often and are essentially facts.
If there are no words you can think of personally to get yourself motivated, do not hesitate to call in the power of proverbs.
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Tip Number 11: Talk to children.
Kids say the darnedest things indeed, but they also often have an ingenuous way of seeing things. With their views untainted by cynicism and greed, children can get you back to seeing the world with rose-colored glasses.
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Tip Number 12: Carpe diem!
That is Latin for ‘seize the day’ if you have forgotten. Tell yourself that the opportunity your goal represents comes only once in a lifetime. If you do not seize the day – or the moment for that matter – then that chance may never come again.
Are you willing to take that risk?
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Tip Number 13: Think of the last time you worked against all odds – and won.
You are a powerful person yet sometimes you may need to remind yourself of it. If your confidence has taken a nosedive for any reason, think back of the last time that you worked against all odds.
Think of the time that no one had your back and only you had faith in yourself. Think of the time you had taken the role of an underdog – and won.
You did it then. You can do it again. Just believe!
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Tip Number 14: Join motivation seminars now and then.
If you have never tried attending a motivation seminar, it is easy for you to say that these so-called self-help gurus are just out to con you out of your money. But why not give it a try? At the most, you will only lose a couple of dollars for attending. Yet what if it works? Then you would have gained so much more!
If you have no idea which of today’s many inspirational speakers is the best, do not hesitate to ask for recommendations. Check the Internet for reviews as well.
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Tip Number 15: Remember the little things.
Motivation is also a matter of point of view. If you are tired of working or doing something for the sake of achieving your goal alone, then do it just for the sake of it.
Do it because you are having fun doing it. Do it because you love it and it makes you feel good. Sometimes, the journey counts more than the actual destination.
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Tip Number 16: Keep a gratitude journal.
If Oprah herself does this, then surely everyone has the propensity to benefit from it as well? For each day, try to think of as many things as you can that you are sincerely thankful for.
If you feel that you have absolutely nothing to be thankful about, then you are wrong. You are alive, aren’t you? You can still read this and perhaps take up a pen and write your first post in your thank you journal, can’t you? Then that already gives you three reasons to be thankful about.
Remember: motivation is a matter of perspective. If you cannot see it from one angle, then you probably could in another.
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Tip Number 17: Are you tempted to give up? Do more.
When you feel like you have reached the end of your tether, make one last big push by doing 5 more. Or if you are just one step away from giving in to exhaustion or sleep then do just 3 or even just one more!
You may not have completed your schedule for today, but knowing that you gave it your best is enough to give you an energetic and motivated for the next day.
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Tip Number 18: Failure is not an option.
Granted, you are not stuck in the moon, flying in Apollo 11, but does it really matter? You just have to imagine yourself in the same back-against-the-wall scenario and that is sure to be motivation enough to work hard.
Earlier, you have learned how it is to get past failure and the importance of not beating yourself up about it. Even so, that does not mean you can get away with never worrying about it.
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Tip Number 19: Never say never – unless it is to say you will never quit.
You may change tactics, rest for a while, and redefine your goal but none of those means you are quitting. Never should never be a part of your vocabulary – even if that sounds contradictory; the moment you start entertaining doubts is the moment you start losing.
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Tip Number 20: Aim to be better and not perfect.
Aiming to be perfect is like aiming for the moon. You will never be able to reach for it with your hands. But what you can do is to improve yourself and make yourself or your situation better.
You may not be able to reach for the moon, but if you were to arm yourself with a telescope, then the moon could get closer to you instead.
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Tip Number 21 Hope for the best but prepare for the worst.
Motivation can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it can pierce the clouds of depression and doubts away and especially when your motivation pays off and you succeed in what you are trying to achieve.
But what if you do not get what you want? Motivation can end up hurting you by setting yourself up for a fall. This will happen if you have also not prepared yourself for the worst.
Preparing yourself for the worst just means that you at least have considered the possibility – and taken the necessary steps for dealing with it.
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Tip Number 22: Do it – no matter how long it takes.
It is very important that you do not give up on your goal just because your route to success turned out to be longer and more twisted than expected. That is the card life has dealt you so deal with it and – again – move on.
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Tip Number 23: Do not allow any source of frustration, problems, or depression get worse. Eliminate it right away.
If there is anything troubling you and making it difficult for you to stay focused and motivated – get rid of it right away. Nip it in the bud and do not wait for it to turn into a full-fledged disaster.
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Tip Number 24: Think of all those who did not reach as far as you did.
If you were to crow out loud about your victories, then this would be boasting. But you are not. You are just quietly reflecting on how far you have gone and what you have achieved that others cannot.
Sometimes, a person has a tendency to keep on comparing himself to those he feel is better than he is that he fails to realize how much he himself has done more than the others.
When you realize that, you will see for yourself that accomplishing more than others does not make you better. You just happened to be luckier, perhaps, or more patient. The same goes for those who have done more than you.
Motivation is also a matter of time. You will get your goal – you just have to work hard and keep your eyes on your destination.
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