It’s time to get down and dirty with your goals.
Motivation hacks for the win! When motivation fails, discipline steps in. But even then, sometimes it’s not enough. So how do you rev up your goal drive? First, accept that you’re feeling low. Then decide what your next step is. Do you need rest? Or do you need a lil’ kick in the butt?Be honest. It’s just you vs. you here.
If you need rest, great! Take a day to recharge. If you need to spark some fresh inspo, stick around! We’ve got some genius motivation hacks for you.
These Motivation Hacks Could Be Exactly What You Need Right Now
#1 Harness The Power of Anticipation
Remember, as a kid how much you looked forward to things? A quick ice cream stop or a trip to Disney, that one event was all you could think about until it happened. It gave you so much energy and excitement!
Why not tap into that inner child now? Schedule in something to look forward to on your calendar once a week or month. Something as simple as your favorite yoga class or a fun road trip can do the trick.
It increases those happy feelings, promoting more positive decision-making. Yes, it’s that simple. We thrive when we’re happy!
#2 Use Affirmations
Affirmations may help us break away from negative thinking and turn those thoughts around into something more positive. For instance, if you want to build more confidence, you would say affirmations that build your self-esteem.
In this case, you can use affirmations that keep you motivated, like these:
- I am unstoppable
- I am successful
- Today will be a productive day
- I am filled with focus
Say or write them every day for the best effect!
#3 Find a Cool Community
Community is a great way to relieve stress. We’re social creatures, after all! But along with needing people to connect with, we can use our communities to motivate us into action.
Old news, right? Not really!
You can find unique ways of motivating yourself with virtual group workouts, like using FitOn Party! Workout with your friends from all over the world who can give you tough love. Want to take it up a notch? Scientists Say This is The #1 Way to Stay Motivated to Workout.
#4 Focus on What you GET to Do
The best motivation hacks focus on positivity. It’s so easy to get caught up in the negatives, like “I can’t eat that,” or “I’m not strong enough yet.” This isn’t very uplifting, and it can leave us feeling like there’s no point in even trying. However, let’s flip the switch.
Focus on what you HAVE done and what you GET to do. “I get to eat these nourishing foods. I can do this workout. Any progress is still progress!”
Suddenly, you’re rearing and roaring to prove to yourself how much more you can accomplish. Ahhh, the power of positivity.
#5 Connect Your Habits
Creating a new habit can feel like the most annoying fight of your life. So, set yourself for success.
You can do this by connecting new habits to already existing ones. For example, if you want to start meditating each morning, do it around the time you brush your teeth. Place a meditation reminder sticky note on the mirror. Then, every time you brush your teeth (or look in the mirror for that matter), you remember to meditate, too.
#6 Make a Motivation Hacks Folder
We all have those “meh” days, where our heads feel covered in lazy fog. Sometimes, that means to rest. Other times, it means picking yourself up and doing something energizing, like a workout.
The problem? Peeling yourself away from that Netflix-potato chip session.
Again, you can set yourself up for success by planning for these moments. Create a computer folder, email inbox folder, or actual paper folder of everything that motivates you: favorite songs, vision boards, motivational videos, family pictures, etc.
Whenever you’re struggling to get down with the get-down, filter through your motivation hacks folder and let the inspiration flow.
#7 Try a Mental Rehearsal
Just like professional athletes envision a winning game, you can envision what your own win looks like. You know that goal you just can’t seem to muster? Whether it’s losing 10 lbs, practicing self-care, or cleaning up your diet, take a second to imagine what it will be like when you achieve it.
Soak up the sights, smells, sounds, feelings, and thoughts you’ll have when you “win.” Come back to that vision whenever the slug bug comes to town.
Oh, there you are, motivation!
#8 Let Go of Motivation (Just a Little)
We’ve all been there. We procrastinate doing a workout for so long that suddenly we’re trudging up Mt. Motivation with nothing to show for it. When this happens, we start to overthink everything, from how it won’t matter anyway to there’s not enough time.
Instead, let go of trying so hard to motivate yourself. Get out of your head and into action. Focus on one thing at a time. And remember — even the smallest steps lead to big leaps.
Motivate Your Mind, Your Body Will Follow
The beauty of motivation? Once your mind catches on, the body naturally follows. All it takes is a little bit of mindset work.
Feeling ready to get down to goal business? Gabrielle Union shared her top three tips for motivation with us. These motivation tips may be exactly what you need to bring out that inner motivation even more.
“Only compare yourself to the person you were yesterday.”
“Visualize what you want.”
“Write your own affirmation.”
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This article was written by Emma Lunsford, a health and wellness freelance writer & cookbook author.
