Some of you may be asking, “How do I get motivated?” That is a great question and one that needs to be answered.
Motivation has been a popular topic ever since I can remember. It is expressed through inspirational quotes, books, poems, art and music. Music has always been a creative way of getting a message across and many songs target motivation. Songs like: “Stronger” by Kelly Clarkson or “It’s My Life” by Bon Jovi help people to stay focused and keep the faith.
If I were to choose my theme song it would be, “Get on Your Feet,” by Gloria Estefan. This song was released in 1989 and is by far one of my favourites. Her lyrics are relevant as she talks about the importance of listening to yourself and taking action.
Get on your feet
Get up and make it happen
Get on your feet
Stand up and take some action
I have found that in order to get motivated, you have to have a goal: something that you desire to have or do that gives you a reason to take action and stay focused. Whatever your goal is, it has to be something that sparks your interest and lights you up just thinking about it; it feeds your soul.
Begin by taking some time to make a list of your personal objectives. This will help you to gain two things: purpose and clarity. Once you are clear with your desires, you will discover how your motivation creates momentum.
Some people will overthink their dreams and aspirations, which can lead to comparing. Comparing what’s important to you and thinking that you couldn’t possibly measure up or have something else to offer is creating self-sabotage; don’t do it. Realize that what is important to one person is not necessarily going to be meaningful to someone else because we are all different; that’s okay.
Once you’ve been able to clear that hurdle, it’s time to focus on how to accomplish your goal. In short, you need to devise a plan. The best way to approach goal setting is to use an acronym called S.M.A.R.T: Specific, Measurable, Adjustable, Realistic, and Time-Specific. I suggest creating smaller targets within your ultimate outcome so you can see your progress. Make sure that it is realistic for you and is something that you know without a doubt you will be able to accomplish. Always give yourself a reasonable timeframe to complete each aspect of your desired outcome. If you don’t, you may find yourself procrastinating, then guess what? You will never get it done.
I also suggest getting an accountability partner – someone who will be able to keep you on track with your objectives and ensure that you are doing what you said you would. When choosing this partner, make sure it is a person who is goal driven and can help you get to where you want to go. I cannot tell you how beneficial an accountability partner is and I would not succeed without mine!
Have a way to evaluate your progress towards your goal and make adjustments along the way that will make sense. It’s okay to make some changes here and there; it’s all part of the process. Sometimes, as you’re working towards your aspirations, you may experience a setback here and there; expect it. Individuals may think of it as failure and all of a sudden they just give up. It is not failure, that is a part of learning. Shake it off and keep going! (Hey, there’s another song!)
It is imperative that you celebrate each success. Even the smallest success needs to be given the same amount of recognition so you continue along your chosen path. It helps you to believe that your dream is becoming your reality as you will say to yourself, “I can do this!”
As I have been working towards my goals, I have had to adjust and create the time that I need in order to reach my desired outcomes. I get up at 5 a.m. just to do it. My oldest daughter is nineteen and one day she asked me, “Why do you put yourself through this?”
My response? “Motivation.”