This post was written by 5 Stones Media intern, Lana Guay.
Maintaining a mindset of motivation can be difficult in times of adversity. Maybe work is becoming a little redundant, or perhaps you received another rejection letter. Whatever it is, there IS a way to stay motivated. Yes, it may seem impossible and discouraging at times to even begin making positive thought changes; however, the key is taking baby-steps.
Here are a few small tips I’ve found to help spark motivation:
- Set small goals. Setting one large goal is great. However at times it can be discouraging when you see no results. You might be thinking TOO big. My advice is to set smaller ones. Now, I don’t mean settling for less. Instead, break up that one BIG goal into smaller ones where achievement is measurable and noticeable to you. Over time, add more to the goals. It gives you a chance to pat yourself on the back for your accomplishments. Those small achievements DO add up!
- Practice gratitude. Always seek out value in everything. Having gracious mind can change what seems like an obstacle into an opportunity for personal growth. Gratitude is magnetic and attracts new and better opportunities to you. The reality is life is short. How long will we wait until we allow ourselves to enjoy every tiny piece of it?
- Dress the part. How you dress, at times, is related to how you feel. It’s not about the way you look, it’s about your perception of yourself. It’s difficult to get out of an apathetic mindset if the way you’re dressing doesn’t make you feel motivated. Dressing in a way that makes you feel good about yourself can affect your attitude. According to Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson in their book “Remote: Office Not Require,” (link: https://officenotrequired.wordpress.com/) swapping your pajamas in for decent clothes can even have psychological benefits. A small key to staying self-assured and motivated is by dressing well. Dress for where you want to be.
- Quit with comparisons. I can’t express how important this is. Most of us have heard the phrase “comparison is the thief of joy.” ALWAYS keep this in mind. It’s so important to remember that every one’s story is different. How one person got to their success may be completely different from how another person got to a similar place. There isn’t one RIGHT way. Timing is different for everyone. It’s so easy to get too wrapped up about what others are doing. One way to stop this is by focusing on the qualities that set you apart. Recognize your individual uniqueness and let it guide motivation in your life.
Remember the BIG picture. Ultimately, learn how each task you do serves to an even greater goal. Small tasks over time may become redundant. Keep in mind the reason WHY you are doing them and never get off track. Get your mind right to stay motivated on a daily basis and to live in the present at work and your personal life. Stays focused and just go for it.
