We finally made it through January but many people I talk to are a bit drained, especially if you live in a colder climate. Use these tips to keep your momentum even though you wish for spring; you can also use them any time you hit a rough patch and need some motivation to keep going.
There’s a lot written on motivation; what qualities bring it out from within, how others in your life factor into your motivation, what drives you vs. other people. etc. What I’m talking about here is when you feel like you need to give yourself some inner cheerleading to get back on track or just feel better doing your day to day things.
- Plan something to look forward to. This can be longer term (think summer vacation) or short term (meeting a friend for lunch). I know someone who takes themselves for coffee every weekend to one of their favorite places. Could they make coffee at home? Sure. Do they look forward to it every weekend? They sure do. Having these elements built into your schedule instantly affect your mood.
- Eliminate clutter from where you work or study. Whether you realize it or not, it’s distracting and can lead to anxiety if you start to think about all the things you see around you or (if you’re like me), start to guilt yourself into cleaning up. Pick a time, put on your favorite song, and organize your space. I don’t care if you take everything and put it in a drawer. Just make sure you have a neat, inviting workspace to come to each day.
- When you relax, truly relax. This one is by far the hardest for me. Having time to recharge is important in motivation because if you don’t feel refreshed ever, things become harder. Limit your screens in your relaxing space, surround yourself with things you love (fuzzy blanket, an amazing pillow, etc.), and practice deep breathing. Game changing.
- Find your people. Know the people in your circle that you can lean on to support you through, whether it’s offering a laugh, just listening to you vent for a few minutes, or share a meal. I’ve talked before about knowing where to find what type of support. This is another example of the right person being able to pull you up to get back on that horse.
- Volunteer or do a random act of kindness. Nothing feels better than giving back. Find an upcoming event or if you are too swamped, pay for someone’s coffee, tip your waitress a little extra, or surprise someone you care about with a card or a phone call.
