It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint! 3 Tips to Cultivate Motivation for the Long Haul
When we take an opportunity to set new goals for ourselves, there’s often a honeymoon period of intense and directed motivation. Everything is shiny and new, we are feeling confident - like nothing can get in our way!
Reality eventually sets in, life gets in the way, and our motivation starts to dwindle. It’s important to remember that motivation is not constant; there are days when we wake up ready to tackle our routines and our goals, and other days when we just want to be a couch potato and stream our favorite show with a bowl of popcorn.
So what can we do to handle the natural ebb and flow of motivation and not allow a momentary slide turn into a slump?
When we create new goals for ourselves it’s imperative that we have the mindset of a marathon, not a sprint. There are going to be miles during which we trip, go slower, or even take a seat.
REMEMBER YOUR WHY
The “why” behind that ultimate goal is what often pushes us across the finish line. When you feel your motivation start to plummet, return to your “why” and the mental picture you created of that goal. Actively visualizing what we want to accomplish can often be enough of a nudge to keep us running.
REWARD YOURSELF
Sticking with our marathon metaphor, at certain mile markers, there’s a cold glass of water, a snack, or fans cheering you on to the finish line - all incentives to keep you running and focused on your goals. It’s important to have incentives along your path as well, to keep your motivation fired up. When working toward your goal, have several incentives planned along the way. Whether it’s a nice dinner out, new workout gear, or an extra hour of video games after submitting all of your homework, it's important to periodically reward yourself with positive reinforcement to fuel your motivation, particularly in times of discouragement or distraction.
GET SUPPORT
Support is vital to accessing our motivation. Remember those fans cheering you on? Having a support system in place of not only friends and family but also yourself is key. Your friends and family are there to support you, hold you accountable, and push you along when you are feeling dismayed. Text a friend to share your success or have a family member hold you accountable with frequent reminders and check-ins. Having all of these fans will of course keep you sustained but do not forget your greatest cheerleader is you!
PROGRESS OVER PERFECTION
There are often self-imposed obstacles to accessing motivation, mainly perfectionism and self-doubt. When striving to a new goal, return to your “why” and the marathon metaphor. It is not about being perfect everyday or clocking your best time, it’s about the progress along the way - continuing to move forward despite a slower time, or not even not running at all. When you struggle to access motivation remember that motivation is not constant and there will be days when you do not feel as eager. When setbacks occur, do not dwell on them but rather let them go. Visualize that ultimate goal, return to your habits and routines once you’re able, and power through!
Need more tips to weather the motivation storm? Reach out to LifeSolved for information about our coaching programs!
