Some of us find motivation when we are excited about a new plan or idea. As we work to implement the plan and face challenges along the way, motivation becomes more difficult. At this point, we start considering changes in direction, giving up or just putting the plan aside for a while. As our initial vision appears to be crumbling, we lose confidence in our abilities, and our lack of confidence sabotages the process.
This post is the first in a series of posts on motivation and provides an overview of some topics that will be covered. The series will be covering the following topics.
- Self-confidence. If you do not believe that you can achieve what you intend to achieve, you will have no interest in wasting effort. Your level of self-confidence really can be a self-fulfilling prophesy: in either direction. Most of us have no idea what our true capabilities are. Our level of self-confidence can be our most significant limiter.
- Planning ahead. Jumping into projects without a clear understanding of what we are getting into can lead us to disappointment and can deliver a blow to our self-confidence. Having a clearer understanding of what to expect helps us be patient and tolerant with ourselves and make the experience more enjoyable. Enjoyment is an excellent motivator.
- Being organized. It may seem to be more fun to run through a project unorganized. But, when your plans and status are unclear, you are left trying to balance everything in your head which can be stressful and distracting. You will be more likely to forget things and have to backtrack. A simple system of organizing projects can make the process enjoyable with less worry.
- Breaking tasks down. Feeling overwhelmed can damage motivation. By breaking projects down into small tasks, you can focus on one task at a time, and check items off more quickly and more easily recognize your momentum, thus boosting confidence and motivation.
- Celebrating milestones. This also helps recognize momentum and helps us focus on things that have been accomplished rather than things that still have not been completed.
- Enjoying the journey. Life is a journey, and most of us will spend much more time working toward goals than enjoying the benefits of reaching them. Enjoy the process.
- Following through. One of the biggest motivation killers is a history of incomplete projects. If it is at all possible, try to complete a project before starting another one. Limit the number of goals you are working to achieve simultaneously. Too many simultaneous projects can slow them all down to a point where it doesn’t feel like any will be finished.
- Facing fears. Any goals you reach will result in some change in your life. Most of us experience fear in the face of change. Facing fears is essential for motivation.
Today, give some thought to the goals you would like to achieve if motivation were not an issue. Feel free to share your goals and obstacles that you face with motivation.
Then, read these articles to continue the motivation building process:
One response to “Motivation to Complete Your Goals: A Series”
[…] For further reading on this topic with a more spiritual aspect, see my previous post Celebrating Milestones, which was a part of a series on motivation. […]