We’re almost half way through 2010. Are you still motivated about the goals you set at the beginning of the year? Setting goals can be challenging, but staying motivated to achieve them is even harder! Recently I read an article from Real Simple magazine about the secrets of motivated people. So if you’re about ready to give up, don’t! Read the advice below and get your second wind!
Anticipate Problems: No matter how well you prepare for the day ahead, something or someone may come along and cause you to rearrange your schedule. If you plan ahead, and consider some of the possible issues or problems that might arise, you’re two steps ahead of the game.
What you believe you can do is as powerful as what you can do: One of my favorite quotes is “You don’t have to know anything about a subject as long as you use common sense and imagination.” It gives me permission to think outside of the box and believe I can do almost anything. Life is filled with examples of people who against all odd shouldn’t have succeeded. The power of believing can turn a dream into reality.
Be ambitious but realistic: As much as I believe in the second point, it should be pointed out how important it is to be realistic. If you want to be a doctor, I think that is noble, but do you make good grades, do you have the funds to pay for eight years of college, and do you have a back up plan in case this goal doesn’t come to fruition? Don’t be discouraged, but make sure the tactics of your strategy are sound. If they’re not, attempting to achieve this goal could be frustrating.
Share your goals: Letting others know about your goals will help hold you be more accountable. Most friends and family members are happy to help loved ones become successful. Let them know you want to lose 20 pounds, or share with them your intentions to adopt. You never know, they might either have connections or ideas that can help you reach your goals
Create a support system: When your friends know you’re trying to lose that last 10 pounds and you know you’re the type to be tempted on the weekends to break your diet rules, a strong support system can make the difference of staying on track or derailing. Create a contingency plan involving friends and family so you can reach your goals.
You should be number one: I’m guilty of “claiming” I don’t have enough time to exercise. But who should be more important in your day than you? Stop putting yourself at the bottom of your own “to do” list. Achieving your goals and dreams make you the BEST you can be. Why shouldn’t you achieve this?
Create change and challenge: Staying enthusiastic is difficult if day in day out you’re doing the same thing. Change it up a bit! Continue to work out every day but do a different exercise or perhaps during a different part of the day. Eating right doesn’t mean you have to eat the same boring food. Literally, spice up dishes so you don’t feel like you’re eating the same boring chicken.
Continue learning: Challenge yourself to find new ways to reach your goals. Perhaps by learning more about yoga through literature, instead of just taking new classes, you can learn something that will make that next yoga class more intense.
What’s it all about? My life coach was notorious for reminding of my “process” goals and not just my “product” goals. It’s great to envision winning an Oscar for your award winning movie, but don’t forget about enjoying the path along the way. And why do you want that movie to win? Is it for the little gold man, or is it to share an important story to people around the world?
