The Key to Success

Motivation is the fuel behind your ambitions and goals. It's what pushes you to get started on that new project or train for a race. However, it can be hard to stay motivated when life gets in the way of your plans-especially when you're feeling tired, stressed out and uninspired. Here are some tips that will help keep that motivation alive!

What Is Motivation

Motivation is a process in psychology and education that seeks to answer the question of why a person does what they do. Motivation is a major topic in both fields, and it can be broken down into two categories: intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation. Intrinsic motivation is when you do something because you derive satisfaction from completing it. Extrinsic motivation is when you complete an activity to get a reward from outside of the activity itself. Both types of motivation play a role in your daily life, and knowing how they work can help you effectively reach your goals.

Create a Plan to Stay Motivated

The first step to stay motivated is to know what you want. Remember this feeling, and take time to figure out what it is that you would like for yourself. Write down how it makes you feel, and the feelings that motivate you. Once you have a clear idea of what motivates you, then brainstorm ways to achieve your goal. In order to stay motivated, create a plan with specific actions and deadlines. For example, find a way to make saving money, quitting smoking or waking up early each morning fun. For example, saving money could be buying a new outfit after a set period of time or quitting smoking could be setting monthly goals and rewards for staying smoke-free. When you have a plan, it's much easier to stay motivated.

"You can't expect yourself to be motivated all the time... But you can reward yourself for doing things – even if they're small – and that'll help." – Eric Thomas

Set Small Goals to Stay on Track

If your goal is too big, it might seem daunting and that will prevent you from staying motivated. That's why it's better to set smaller goals, ones that are achievable. For example, if your goal is to lose 20 pounds, then aim to lose just 2-5 pounds first. You can even break up this weight loss goal into months so it won't seem impossible. Once you've achieved this first milestone, you can set a new goal and continue on your way.

"For every minute you are angry, you lose sixty seconds of happiness." – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Use Small Rewards to Stay Motivated

If you want to stay motivated, it's best to reward yourself for the little things. For example, if you finish your work in time or complete a task, then give yourself something you'll enjoy. This could be watching your favorite TV show, taking the afternoon off to relax or even getting an extra hour of sleep. These small rewards will help keep your motivation alive and make it easier for you to achieve the bigger goals.

"You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today." – Abraham Lincoln

Believe You Can Achieve Your Goals

Lastly, it's important to believe in yourself. If you doubt your abilities, then it's going to be much harder to stay motivated. Instead of worrying about how difficult a goal might seem, focus on the excitement that comes with achieving that goal. Think of all the possibilities that would come from reaching your goal.

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life." – Steve Jobs

Surround Yourself with Other People who are also Motivated

It's much easier to stay motivated when you surround yourself with other people who are also determined. Keep in touch with these people and see how far they have come since your last meeting. Hearing their success stories will motivate you to continue working towards your own goal. Plus, these people could inspire you with even more ways that you can achieve your goals.

"The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me." – Ayn Rand

Stay Motivated in Life

To keep yourself motivated, remember these tips. Come up with a plan, set small goals and rewards and believe that you can achieve anything! If you surround yourself with other people who are also motivated, then it will be that much easier to stay motivated in life. Keep these tips in mind and enjoy the journey towards your goals!

"Believe you can and you're halfway there." – Theodore Roosevelt