Get motivated
If you want to change something in your life but don't seem to get round to it, then you need to work on your motivation. Motivation is one of the keys to creating change.
To increase your motivation, try these simple things:
- List the benefits. You want to change something, so what will you gain when you do? Say you want to lose weight. Your gains could be feeling more healthy, looking more attractive, admiring glances, being able to wear the clothes you want, etc.
So list the benefits. Write them down. Get excited about them. The more excited you can get, the more you are likely to do what it takes to make the change you want. - See yourself after the change. Engage your imagination, and see yourself after the change you want has happened. How will you look? How will you feel? How will you sound? What will be different in your life? What will you be able to do that you can't or don't do now?
Build up the picture in your imagination with as many elements as you can. Use colour, sound, smells. Think of the picture often. It will keep you moving forward, even when things get tough. - Take small steps. If you are moving towards a big change, sometimes the road can seem long and hard. Remember, you know where you want to go, but you can only take one step at a time. Don't worry if you don't know every step you need to take, just think of the next one or two and take them. Keep moving forward.
- Reward yourself. Sometimes change can be a slow process, but you don't have to wait until the end to see rewards. Sometimes rewards come as part of the journey - if you're losing weight then you're getting slimmer - but it's still good to have a reward system. Identify steps on the journey - 'when I've lost 7 lbs', 'when I've not smoked for a week', or 'when I've enrolled on that course', and build in rewards. Then enjoy
- Notice yourself changing. The great thing about working towards the changes we want is that other things change too. Just by taking responsibility for our own outcomes we start to grow in other ways. So notice the changes in yourself. You may feel more confident, less stressed, more excited, have more energy or wake up in the morning feeling happier. Each person is different. See the changes in yourself, and stay motivated.
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