Get Motivated for Success

An entrepreneurs work is never done. If you are anything like me, you have a list a mile long of things that you want, need, and intend to do in your personal life and for your business. These things keep piling up over time waiting for when you are less busy, less tired, have more money, and so forth. We often put off doing the very things we know will make us happier, healthier and more in tune with ourselves. Entrepreneurs in particular seem to have ongoing issues with accomplishing tasks that will grow their businesses more quickly.

If you’re tired of putting off the things you want to accomplish that will make you happier and healthier, the following 10 ideas can help you get motivated and make the changes you want in your life.

1. Act as if something is already true. For example, is your goal to get healthier? Then each day, pop out of bed, immediately get dressed in your workout clothes and head out for some form of exercise. This trick puts you in the right mindset and gives you a mental boost. If your goal is to build your list, do one small thing every single day to get you closer to having a list the size that you are working towards.
2. Visualize. Use images to focus on what succeeding at your goal looks like. Images are often how the brain remembers things and it works better than words. Use pictures of motivating quotes and pictures of the end result that you’re trying to accomplish. I like to visualize people opening my emails and reading my blog posts in anticipation of what I have to share with them.
3. If weight loss or improved health is your goal, take a before picture of yourself. Looking at this image often can keep you moving forward. Put the image on your screensaver as a reminder of why you want to change.
4. Use post-it notes everywhere to remind you of your mission and goals. Use them to stay motivated about why you are doing something. Of course, you can apply this concept electronically by including a motivational quote in your email or social media signature. Use this same concept to stay motivated by recording your recent accomplishments.
5. Make a “me” list of the three new behaviors, traits or qualities you like about yourself every day. It has to be new; don’t repeat anything previously written down. The purpose of doing this is to force your mind into the habit of finding the positive. My new behaviors have included using PLR as a source of new content, finding new sites where I can publish this content, and asking my current readers to share what I am doing with their own circles of influence.
6. Get an accountability partner. This works especially well if you like to please others more than yourself. Think about it. How many promises have you made to yourself, then just as quickly broken them? Now how many have you made to someone else and kept them? Having a mentor to guide you and keep on your case is an effective way to keep motivated.
7. Create a list of motivations. Write down people, places and emotions that you experience and encounter that have a positive effect on you. This can keep you motivated by extending the positive feeling you get when surrounded by these people and things, making you want to keep going.
8. Create a list of defined, specific goals. Motivation needs a target. It’s hard to get motivated with vague, undefined goals (lose weight). Break them down into smaller goals that you can take bites out of regularly, like walk 2 miles a day or write a new blog post once a week.
9. Organize your goal by what’s most important to you. Which goals would you be motivated the most to accomplish? Are those goals attainable based on your current available time, financial status and other resources? Focus on the goal that needs to happen first before moving to the next level. Sometimes your goals will build off each other.
10. Focus on improving only one or two areas at a time to prevent you from feeling overwhelmed. Overwhelm can quickly squash your motivation. Being overwhelmed can tempt you to abandon your goals because they seem too far out of reach. Make a list of actionable steps to take toward your goal by creating a to-do list of daily tasks or objectives that need to be accomplished.

I have found that writing down everything I wish to accomplish is the best way for me to get motivated for success. What are some strategies you have developed to help you get motivated?