5 Ways to Improve Self-Motivation

We all have dreams, but sometimes,
when we’re feeling brave, we give those
dreams a deadline, and they become our
goals.
What are your goals? Are you finding it
difficult to find that get-up-and-go
feeling we call motivation? If you are,
don’t worry. Let’s talk about what we
can do to improve our levels of self-
motivation and start taking steps closer
to the mountaintop of our desires.

1. Accept Responsibility
That first step towards achieving our
goals can sometimes seem long and
daunting, if not impossible, but if we do
not make it, the rest cannot follow. To
help us make the crucial first step we
must accept complete responsibility for
our levels of motivation, whatever they
may be.
Unfortunately, the world cares a lot
less whether or not we accomplish our
goals and nobody else is going to do the
hard work for us. We may ask a loved
one to help motivate us in our efforts,
and they may kindly oblige, but what we
must understand is; they don’t share the
same emotional connection to the goal
that we do. They may be motivated, in
this instance, by our happiness. This may
encourage them to motivate us, but
they are aware, perhaps subconsciously,
that it’s not their responsibility to do so
and it will be reflected in their efforts.
Also, if we don’t succeed, we will be
more likely to blame them and use that
as an excuse.
It’s time to stop looking to others for
help. A support network is great and
sometimes necessary, but in the end,
the responsibility for change is yours!

2. Set Clear, Well-Defined Goals
I discussed this with a little more detail
in my post How to Set Goals and
Achieve Them.
Without clear, well-defined goals, we
are lost. We must aim true if we’re to
turn our goals into a reality, because
without a target in our sights we won’t
know when we’re hitting it and when
we’re missing it altogether. By setting
clear goals, and knowing that we are
moving towards them, we can fuel the
fires of our motivation.
It’s crucial at this point to learn what it
means to set the right sort of goals,
you can find out how to do this here.

3. Remind Yourself Why You Are
Doing It
If you want to climb a mountain, begin
at the top.
- Zen saying
As we begin the hard work involved in
moving towards our goals, the hard
work might be all that we can see and
we may forget why we began in the
first place. Remind yourself what it is
you want to achieve – what your end
result will be? What will this success
look like? How will you feel? How will it
affect your life? What will it allow you
to do? Then you can plan how you are
going to get there.

4. Tell People
Let those around you know what it is
you are working towards. This will not
only spur you on towards your goal,
knowing that many eyes are upon you,
but it can provide a much-needed
network of support from which to draw
strength, knowledge and motivation.
When you tell people about your goals,
something powerful happens; suddenly,
you’re accountable! Better get started!

5. Visualise
You can prepare yourself for success
by taking the time to visualise your
goals, and by doing this your mind will be
able to recognise when it is close to
fulfilling them. Simply make yourself
comfortable, close your eyes, and
imagine yourself achieving your goals.
See what you would see, and hear what
you would hear. Notice how it feels to
accomplish your aim. Your subconscious
mind cannot tell the difference
between what is real and what is
imagined. Exploit this. Program your
mind so that it is ready to receive its
coming success
See you at the top