Have
you ever sat down at your computer to work on a paper only to find yourself
checking your Facebook posts instead? Or watched your pile of dirty laundry
grow until it practically takes over your room?
Of
course you have! We all need a little push now and then to tackle things we don’t
want to do. It’s only human.
Whether
you have a secret passion you’ve always wanted to pursue or need a nudge to
help you tackle class work or a boring chore, these motivational tips will help
get you moving. Let’s get started.
Do
something…ANYTHING! Make a list. Get organized. Get your brain in gear.
And just begin. Since getting started is always the hardest part, promise
yourself that you can stop in 15 minutes if you want to. By then you may be on
a roll and want to keep on going until the job is done.
Divide
and conquer. No one says you have to do it all in one sitting or even one day.
Divide big tasks into smaller ones, and focus on completing just one task at a
time. If you’re writing a paper, start with the first paragraph; if you’re
running out of clean clothes to wear, at least sort your laundry into dark and
light piles. Feel good about your accomplishments. You’ll be surprised how much
you can do if you take it one step at a time.
Stay
positive. It’s practically impossible to get motivated when you’re down in the
dumps. To shake that bad mood, turn on your favorite music, pull up the window
shade and let the sun shine in or go for a short run or walk. You’ll feel much
more productive once you get your juices flowing.
Ask
a friend for help. You know the saying: two heads are better than one. Well
it’s true. Besides, you might find that your friend is in need of a little
motivation, too. Sometimes just knowing that you’re not in it alone can be very
motivating.
Talk
about it. Talk therapy is cheap and it’s a great way to get fired up about
something you want or have to do. It also makes you accountable, which means
your friends will expect you to follow through. Tell as many friends as you can
about what you’re trying to accomplish and ask for their encouragement.
Visualize
the outcome. Imagine what will happen if you never pursue your personal
passion…if you keep putting off writing that paper…if you never take a minute
to get to know that cute guy or girl in your math class. Now imagine what will
happen if you do. Linking negative outcomes with not acting and pleasurable
outcomes with taking action is a standard motivational technique. See if it
works for you.
Fuel
your body and your brain. A six pack of Dr. Pepper, three café grandes or a
tall can of Red Bull will definitely get you moving. But for energy that lasts,
exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep and skip the sugar. Nothing can kill a
burst of motivation faster than a caffeine or sugar crash.
Reward
yourself. You know you’re going to feel really good about yourself when you
finally achieve what you’ve set out to do. But in the meantime, set a few
progressive goals and reward yourself when you reach them with something you’ll
really enjoy—like some new iTunes or a night out with your BFF! It doesn’t have
to be big…just big enough to keep you going in the right direction!
Dress
for success. Did you know certain colors can affect your mood? Wear red to
boost your confidence, yellow for intelligence or orange for energy and mental
stimulation. Light blue, green or pink will calm you down if you’re feeling
tense. And if you’ve got a lucky t-shirt, put it on!
Remember
why… It’s easy to stay on course when you’re feeling motivated, but motivation
can fade as time goes on. Make a list of reasons why achieving your goals are
important to you, and keep the list where you can see it. Read your list aloud
whenever you need a boost to get you going again.
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