Goal setting is easy, most people do it on a weekly, if not daily basis. Finding the self-motivation to achieve those goals is where most people tend to fall off the wagon.
According to research, less than 10% of people achieve the New Year’s resolution goals they set for themselves. Whether it’s life circumstances or financial woes, self-motivation invariably plays a big role in failing to achieve these goals.
For a few research-backed tips on how to set goals and bring them to fruition, check out the rest of this blog for more.
Where Self-Motivation Falls Flat
There are two types of motivation that help us to achieve goals: intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation. The first is motivation that comes from within ourselves. Extrinsic motivation is found in external sources: friends, mentors, colleagues, spiritual leaders, your spouse, children, etc.
No matter the type of motivation you choose to lean on, there is one common denominator: intention.
In order to achieve the goals you set for yourself, you should be intentional about your daily behavior. In other words, intentional behavior helps you to stay on the right path. Some of the main reasons why motivation tends to head in the wrong direction is because of these factors:
- Tying motivation to huge, unattainable goals
- Using up all your energy to power through and achieve a goal that may be too big to start with
- Neglecting self-care, which leads to burn out and loss of will power
Here are a few proven tips on how to realistically achieve your goals…
1. Be Specific and Make it a Challenge
Studies show that people who set goals with two important criteria are more likely to achieve what they put their mind to. Your criteria should be based on making your goal specific as well as challenging.
Goals that are too broad, general, and simple to achieve are actually far less motivating. This is because broad goals aren’t backed by measurable milestones you can check off along the way. Think of goal setting with this simple rule-of-thumb: goals are dreams with deadlines.
Nail down the specifics of a goal first, then determine how challenging it will be to achieve it.
2. Fuel Your Motivation with Empowering Beliefs
As the saying goes ”the sky’s the limit”, but really, the only limit is yourself. If you feel like you just don’t have the self-motivation to achieve a goal, ask yourself whether you see yourself as a self-motivated person who is capable.
If your brain is trained to think and believe negative thoughts about yourself, this can totally derail you. It’s important to be aware of your self-talk and the inner-narrative in your mind. Try to take note of when you think negative thoughts, and actively change them into empowering beliefs.
3. Create a Realistic Action Plan
Maintaining your self-motivation starts with a simple action such as writing down what you want to achieve. This simple act is a way of identifying your purpose. Then, you’ll need to establish a set of actionable steps to help you achieve your goal.
It’s a good idea to plan out each step, track your progress, and check it off once you’ve achieved it. This documented plan is also a good way to bolster your self-motivation because it’s a tool you can refer to when challenges get in the way.
4. Get a Handle on Your Multitasking
In the world we live in today, it may not be realistic to completely banish multitasking. However, in order to maintain your self-motivation, you should get a handle on how many tasks you take on in a day.
In short, multitasking decreases your focus. Think of it like this — where focus goes, energy flows. Instead of trying to juggle multiple tasks at once, select one, and concentrate on it until it’s complete, then move onto the next task or goal.
5. Be Mindful of the Company You Keep
Your headspace is very closely affected by the people you surround yourself with on a daily basis. Their energy can ultimately affect your own, as well as the inner narrative in your head.
Make an effort to surround yourself with positive, uplifting people, as these are the best type of motivators. Positive people have a way of uplifting your state of mind, which only adds fuel to your fire of self-motivation.
If you’re feeling low or negative, take some time to call a positive friend or colleague or listen to a motivational podcast. Having regular encounters with positive people will rub off on you and stimulate those empowering feelings that fuel motivation.
6. Don’t Write Off Mistakes, Learn From Them
Life is all about making mistakes. But this doesn’t mean you should be discouraged by them, in fact, it’s the exact opposite. Mistakes are necessary for personal growth and learning. Mistakes are not final, they hold important lessons that shape your character as well as your motivation.
Try not to let mistakes bring you down or derail your self-motivation. Instead, think of mistakes as a side-step, and not a hurdle. You’ve lost nothing and gained an important lesson.
7. Schedule in Time for Self-Care
This is a very important aspect of the journey of goal setting, achievements, and self-motivation. If you fail to take the time you need for yourself, this could also completely derail you.
Burning the midnight oil is not a trend that you need to follow in order to achieve your goals. Ever heard the saying ”work smarter, not harder”? This couldn’t be more accurate when trying to achieve your goals.
Prioritize time for rest and exercise to replenish your energy stores and boost your self-motivation — you’re only human after all!
Design Your Own Life and Live Out Your Dreams
Looking to escape the 9-5 bubble and create a life that truly excites you? If you feel like you may not have the self-motivation to achieve this, then allow Michael Judd to guide you along the way.
Learn more about how to establish your very own entrepreneurial career and commit to your dream, here.
