CMUThought Community Thought 100 day Challenge

Motivation. It’s one of those words that is so easy to say, but one of those things that’s pretty hard to do. Everyone – whether they’re a motivational coach or a salesman trying to push 0% credit cards – can sometimes find it difficult to beat the unmotivated blues. So instead of giving in to giving up and finding your list of things to do has fallen into the hundreds, read on to discover ways to get motivated and stay motivated…

Create a Mantra

We all know the tag line that goes with that famous sports brand, Nike – “Just Do It”. And while they might have already snared that one, it doesn’t mean you can’t use it to. Whenever you find yourself thinking about a chore that needs doing and trying to put it off, just repeat your chosen mantra to yourself and get on with it. Here are some great little sayings to help you get on your way –

• You only regret the things you didn’t do – Mark Twain
• Onwards and upwards!
• This is not the hardest thing I’ve ever done
• No pain, no gain!
• Go forth and conquer!

Maybe none of these will float your boat, but hopefully they’ll give you a starting point. Try and come up with a mantra that relates to your life and use it when times get tough.

Get Active

If your day involves a lot of sitting around at a desk for instance, try and take time out at lunchtime to get outdoors. Go for a walk, head out on a jog, or simply run up and down the stairs a few times instead of taking the lift. Exercise increases the heart rate and you’ll feel much better if you get out, breathe in some fresh air, and get your blood pumping. Hopefully once you return to your desk you’ll be ready to tackle those tasks – however mundane – and get yourself through the rest of the day.

Ditch the Sugar

You might feel like the first thing you need is a Coke when you’re facing a slump, but you’ll only experience a temporary surge of energy and will then crash when the sugar leaves your system. So avoid the quick fix and go for something altogether healthier. Try a smoothie packed with bananas or a juice – they’re a great way to help sustain your energy. And don’t automatically reach for a chocolate bar – pick up a cereal bar or a handful of dried fruit and nuts instead.

Set Yourself Goals

So you’ve got a stash of things to finish by the end of the day and they’re all whirring around your head. You don’t know which one to tackle first, and actually you feel like you’d rather not bother with any of them. First things first, make a list. If the things you need to get done are all achievable today – great, if not, decide what you can set aside for tomorrow. Give yourself some time targets – make a list of the things you’re going to do by 11am, and then what you’ll have finished by lunchtime. This way, everything becomes much more organized and it’s easier to see you can get things done. Once you’ve completed a task, strike through the item on the list – it’s probably the most satisfying you can do for free! Try it!

Dream

If you’re finding it hard to get motivated and stay that way then maybe you need to look at what you’re doing. Perhaps you’re not feeling fulfilled or using your abilities to the best. If this is the case, take some time out and think about what it is you’d really like to achieve in life. If, once you’ve thought long and hard, you decide you’re not doing the thing you love, then set about finding steps to change this. Set yourself small goals to hit which will lead you up the ladder to your ultimate dream. Remember to be realistic though, “Rome wasn’t built in a day”, so don’t give yourself a hard time if it seems like you’re taking forever to get to where you want to be. Just remember it’s important not to lose sight of this dream and work towards it as often as you can.

Hopefully these motivational tips will help you start achieving your goals, organize your life, and ultimately get to where you want to be.