Change Your Thinking And Instantly Boost Your Own Motivation!
If you look at motivation from one standpoint, there’s nobody in the world who can motivate you into doing anything. They may give you the pep talk you need, but basically you alone motivate yourself to pursue dreams, lose weight, try something new, succeed, etc. So, how do you motivate yourself in such a way that your only option is to succeed? There are several ways to do this and you’ll find that it it gets easier over time.
Ways to spark some motivation into your life:
Work to Rid Yourself of Negativity
Being negative is a dangerous thing to do. It’s sooo damaging, stressful, and actually a waste of time (and brain power). We all know it’s a lot easier to think negatively than positively. When disappointment strikes in life it can stir up a lot of negative thoughts and feelings and lead to self-doubt. Negative thinking can drain the life out of you, not only is it a drain on your mental health, but also on your physical health.
The key is to start paying attention when negative thoughts start entering your mind. As soon as you notice it try to replace the negative thought with a positive thought. You may want to write down the negative thoughts that come into your mind. Create two columns on a sheet of paper. Write the negative thought in the first column and then in the second column, beside it, write out a positive thought you want to replace it with. This may be a slow process, and will take time, but it can be worth it.
Every time those negative thoughts pop up (and they will) catch it and take a few minutes replacing it with something better. As usual, I will recommend that you journal through these things.
Take Care of Yourself; Mentally, Physically & Spiritually
So often it’s easy to neglect the simple things that could motivate us. Personal grooming and health can easily be overlooked when you’re down in the dumps and not motivated. You skip one day, and then you skip two and before you know it all you do is wash your hair, brush it and throw some clothes on.
Be sure to put your personal welfare on top of your priority list. It’s not being selfish. You need to take care of yourself, look and feel your best or you can’t be your best, especially when you need to be your best for the ones you love and take care of. If you’re out of the habit of putting on makeup everyday, start light. Maybe just a hint of mascara or some lip gloss. Any small changes will help and get you back in the habit of ‘getting dressed’. Investing in yourself can help fuel your motivation.
Also try a motivation journal.
If you find yourself sitting around more than you used to, start taking a walk. Pacing the floor works too. I know it has a bad rap of being unhealthy, but truthfully it’s the thoughts and worries you have while pacing. If you’ve got on some upbeat music or giving yourself a pep talk…pacing is movement and your body needs some movement.
Use Motivational Self-Hypnosis
Sometimes, you do need someone else to tell you how great you are and can be. You can purchase and download digital files for your MP3 player from hypnosis websites and listen to them while you wash dishes, while you meditate, take a walk…whatever you’re doing that you don’t really have to think about. Make sure you get what’s called daytime hypnosis. At least that’s what they’re called at Better Living With Hypnosis by Dr. Steve G. Jones. The trick is to find someone’s voice that you like and can listen to. I happen to like his. 😉
Here’s a link to Hypnosis to Develop Charisma, which can help you motivate yourself. He does offer some free recordings if you join his mailing list. That’s a great way to find out if you like him.
Confession: I did stop listening to motivational stuff like this for a couple years…yes years, not months…and it flat sunk my ‘happy’ boat.
Find Joy!
The most important thing of all is to find some joy in life. Pressure and stress may always accompany you, but don’t let it hinder happiness. It’s the ultimate incentive that you could get in this life. Motivate yourself through finding joy. However you may define it, being joyful is one of the most powerful motivational techniques out there. After all, if you’re living your life without happiness, you’re not living life at all.
Be happy, get motivated, and enjoy the beauty of what life has to offer.
A gratitude journal is a great way to start putting some joy back into your life. Give it a shot.
All the blessed mess best!
Patti