How to Stay Motivated?
Someone may wonder, how do you stay motivated doing all these things? — but, this is rooted in mission and purpose. The why? Why do we do the things we do. When we understand and start from the whys, then it will be easy for us to start moving. Taking time to really think on what is really important and building our life around those things cuts out the noise and allows us to focus on the why.
Here are some general thoughts on staying motivated:
Start the day early - Starting the day early allows for a peaceful and productive start, giving you the opportunity to focus on your goals and priorities before the distractions of the day set in.
Visualize and affirm your goals - Take time each day to visualize your goals and affirm them to yourself. This helps to keep them at the forefront of your mind and motivates you to take action towards achieving them.
Celebrate small victories - Recognize and celebrate the small milestones along the way. This boosts your motivation and provides a sense of accomplishment, keeping you inspired to continue working towards your larger goals.
Find inspiration - Surround yourself with sources of inspiration that align with your mission and purpose. This can include books, podcasts, motivational speeches, or role models who embody the qualities and values you aspire to.
Prayer and spiritual nourishment - Connect with your faith and seek guidance through prayer and reflection. This can provide strength, clarity, and a sense of purpose that fuels your motivation to live a virtuous life.
Remember your "why" - Regularly remind yourself of the reasons behind your actions and the impact they have on your life and the lives of others. Understanding the deeper meaning and purpose behind what you do can significantly increase your motivation and commitment.
And here are strategies that I personally implemented.
Accountability Partners - They say you are the sum of the five people around you. Who are the five people around you and how do they challenge, inspire or motivate you? Surround yourself with people who encourage and inspire you.
How about rewarding ourselves when we hit our goals. Who doesn't like ice cream on a sunny day or whatever else gets you going. The Life of Purpose Planner allows you to have a place where you can reflect on what the ideal reward would be and look forward to that eg. coffee date with friend.
Set structure - Without structure, we will be running around in circles. Start the week with set goals and hold yourself accountable.
Write things down - when you write things down, you can always come back to them and see what has been done or not. Eg. the habit tracker or reflection sections in the Life of Purpose Planner.
Rest - No one can work at their optimum when tired and burnt out! It is critical to take time to rest.
Exercise and eat healthy - A healthy body is a motivated body. Putting the right things in our body ensures our body and health and energy are optimal. Running or hiking ignites the spirit
Early to Rise - African proverb says the early bird catches the worm.
Tools - I used the Life of Purpose Planner that combines a habit tracker, journal and planner all in one nice and complete package to help you have success and stay accountable and motivated.
By incorporating these practical tips and staying connected to your mission and purpose, you can maintain a high level of motivation and focus on your journey of cultivating virtue and service.