3 keys to unstoppable motivation
Whether we are starting a new fitness program, embarking on a new personal development project, or learning a new skill motivation is key to achieving our goals. But staying motivated is easier said than done. We have all had those flashes of inspiration, felt charged with energy only to find our motivation levels dwindling after a few days or weeks. So what is the key to sustained motivation? This article will provide you with a few tips on staying motivated so you can complete your desired objective.
The first important key to motivation is having a clear target. You may have a picture in your mind about your desired outcome but you really need to spend some time to get familiar with the details. Clarity means measurable. As you examine the details of your desired end result note down the tangible details. Get specific, for example if you have a fitness goal write down something you can measure. Some examples include running the 100 meter sprint in 11.75 seconds, achieving a total body weight of 135 pounds, or being able to bench press 225 pounds 8 times. These are specific enough so that their is no question about whether you achieved your goal or not. You either hit your number or you didn’t. These success targets can be used for personal development and learning as well. Examples include completing a course or achieving a certain grade or mark on a an exam. Having your target in constant sight can keep you motivated because you know exactly where the finish line is.
The second important key is focus on incremental improvements. One of the biggest things that can hinder our motivation is feeling like we are not making progress. By focusing on little improvements over time you’ll quickly realize you are flying towards your goal. And each little step signifies a victory which fuels your motivation. The best way to do this is take your measurable goal and break it down into steps. Start with the end in mind and then visualize the step that was done right before the end target was achieved. Keep doing this until you get to where you are now, your starting point. This is called backward planning. Once you have all the steps laid out it can be very motivating to see a crystal clear path to your desired outcome.
The final step is commitment. This part is easiest if you have already done the steps before. By identifying your goal, whether it is a personal development goal, fitness goal, or learning goal you have established a target. By outlining the steps to get there you have mapped out a path to achieve your goal.
But your work hasn’t started yet. You have to actually do the steps. This is where most people struggle with motivation the most. Here you will use commitment and accountability to make sure you achieve each step toward your goal. Get out your calendar and schedule each step. This exercise forces you to really understand how long it will take you to achieve your goal and ensure you have realistic expectations. By writing down when you will take action you are arranging your life with achieving this goal as a priority.
Congratulations! If you have done the three steps above you are 80% more likely to achieve your goal than those who don’t have a clear target, make a step by step plan, and schedule when they will take action. How is that for motivation? Achieving your fitness goal, personal development goal, or learning goal is easy when you follow these principles. You’ll find your motivation actually increases as you complete each step of your plan. So now that you have these tips on ensuring you will stay motivated why not get started on your next project right now.