We're all driven to consistently grow, to become healthier, better and more successful.
Where does this drive come from and how do we maintain it?
How do we use it to stay committed, avoid distractions and overcome procrastination?
How do we find the motivation again if we've lost it?
Every person has this childlike spirit and energy, an inner fire that burns deep inside them. Those who find how to latch on to this internal motivation, "stoke the fire" and use it tend to reach their goals. It helps to inspire courage and confidence to set new, bigger objectives, conquer obstacles and reach our full potential.
We've all been guilty of pursuing material possessions in order to feel better. These external motivators such as money, prizes and gifts are short-lived, unfulfilling and rarely keep our fires burning long-term. However, our internal motivation never dies, it's everlasting. Find yours and you can achieve more than you ever believed to be true for yourself.
What's Your Motivation?
If you're having trouble finding your internal motivation or need to rekindle it, here are some steps you can take that will help you decide yours, transform your life as well as those around you:
Define Your Passion
Direct your thoughts towards what makes you smile, feel good and fulfills needs. If you don't enjoy what you are doing it's extremely tough to motivate yourself. Your actions are guided by what emotionally fires you up. Think ambitious and write out everything that makes you feel alive.
Remember the Fuel
Internal motivation is part of a success mindset that's reflected in your actions. Reflect on what's energized and excited you in the past. Can you remember times when you enthusiastically followed through? Stepping back sometimes to re-evaluate and analyze your past can help you find times you took motivated action.
Surround Yourself with Successful Motivated People
Figure out what has worked for them and find what resonates with you. Include these in your growing ways, but more importantly question others about what they appreciate about you. Their answers will likely reveal areas of passion for you that you may underestimate yourself. Limit time with those who don't provide much social support.
Find a Focal Point
Finding your internal motivation isn't always easy to pin down. Stick to one of your initial defined passions and don't let distractions run you off course. Remain focused on accomplishing the next step and then the next and so on. Writing down daily successes and struggles can help you to improve clarity. This consistent reminder will help you keep your eyes on the prize or make needed changes that keep your internal motivation burning bright.
Stay Positive and Persistent
There will always be negative situations along the way, but there will also be a positive element during this hurdle. Finding and appreciating what is good will provide you with a powerful lesson in working smarter, progressing forward and persisting when the fire starts to fade. Things don't always work out the first time, but if you stay positive you can feed the fire well enough to persist and prevail.
Trust Your Strengths
We often take for granted what we are best at. What to us is common sense, but can be rocket fuel for us. Don't undermine your talents, but thinking it's your weaknesses holding you back. First, trust in your proven skills, gain momentum and then look at any weaknesses slowing you down.
The Biggest Thing is to "Just Do It."
Starting is the hardest part. Each one of the previously mentioned tips will take stepping out of your comfort zone, but once you get going you'll realize this hurdle isn't so big. Start the journey by painting a clear vision you're passionate about, know your purpose behind doing it and follow through until the end.
A dream, vision or purpose for life is nothing if you don't have the motivation to pursue it with vigor. Successfully finding and igniting your internal motivation will start you on your way to personal achievement and the life you deserve. When do you find it most difficult to stay motivated?
You can share your answers in the comment section below.
In Health,
Ryan Poe (Guest Writer)
