Motivation isn’t something that just pops out of the ether and remains eternally. Yes, you might find yourself suddenly inspired or motivated to do something, but if you are careless, you can easily lose your motivation. You might rush headlong into your goal like a comet and burn out quickly, or you might take the slow and steady approach like driving from New York to LA. But if you don’t stop to refill your gas tank, you’ll never make it.
There are several things you can do to keep fuel in your tank to make sure you arrive at your destination.
- Each morning when you wake up, picture yourself when you achieve your goal. Let’s say your goal is to pay off your mortgage within five years. Picture yourself writing out that last check. How does it feel? Can you see the smile on your face? Can you feel the burden of a mortgage lifted from your shoulders? Just think, with the house paid off, even if hard times come, you know you’ll have a place to live. Think of all the extra money you’ll be able to save or the additional things you can do when you aren’t sending off $1,000 or $3,000 to the finance company every month…just to cover interest.
- After you visualize and experience the joy of your final success, ask yourself, “What must I do today to take a step or two or five in that direction?” When you have your answer, go through the same exercise, picturing yourself at the end of that day, having successfully completed all you needed to do to keep you on the path.
- Find blogs, websites, and other success-minded people. Even if it’s only one or two motivational quotes, make sure you put some encouraging words in your head every single day.
- Make little notes with positive messages for yourself. Carry one in your pocket with you so every time you reach in, you have a physical reminder. Tape one to your bathroom mirror, stick one to your refrigerator, put one on the dashboard of your car just below the speedometer, and tack some up around your work space. You get the point. Promise yourself that every time you see the card, you will read it. Below, you will see a set of cards that are available from Zazzle. These are 1″x3″ and simple. What I like about these (yes, I drew made them) is that the eagle serves as a constant reminder that if we spread our wings, we can soar to the loftiest heights.
It’s a heck of a lot easier to stay motivated than to get motivated. But the truth is, both take some work.