HOW TO STAY INSPIRED AND MOTIVATED IN LIFE (8 STRATEGIES)

We all have moments – moments when we just don’t feel like doing anything. All of the sudden, things don’t make sense anymore like they used to be. We even question why we’re doing what we’re doing.

You know, I get that. Like you, I struggle to stay inspired from time to time. I feel like I don’t have the energy to keep going. Thus, the end result is I procrastinate. I put off things I shouldn’t.

That makes it hard for us to achieve our goals. That is why it matters that you know how to stay inspired and motivated.

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What is motivation and How it works?

An article published in very well mind defined motivation as the process that initiates, guides, and maintains goal-oriented behaviors. It is what causes you to act, whether it is getting a glass of water to reduce thirst or reading a book to gain knowledge.

When you are driven, inspired, and determined, you have a high possibility to improve your life. You have the edge to be victorious in your career. You have the willpower of a lion to move forward despite the rough road you’re treading on.

By understanding motivation and what inspires you, you’ll surely make it to the finish line.

How to find your motivation in life?

1. Define your goals

One of the biggest factors, why we fail to sustain motivation, is not knowing where we’re headed. We get so easily lost on our way. We feel trapped and demotivated.

To stay inspired, you need to know what you want to achieve in life. You need to define your goals. What is it you truly desire? What is it you want to do right now that will bring a significant change in your life?

So, take a moment and write down your goals. Whether you think they are too big for you to attain or not, it doesn’t matter. Just keep writing. Keep unraveling your desires.

And I suggest that you carry it with you wherever you go. That way, you are reminded of the things you have to prioritize and do in your life. Grab a journal and write down your goals.

2. Find your WHY

After knowing what you want, now it’s time for you to find your why. Your “WHY” could be something related to passion or desire to be better. It is the reason or the driving factor that made you come up with a goal.

In his book Find Your Why, Simon Sinek said that discovering your WHY injects passion into your work. He suggested that we make our WHY Statement.

Your WHY Statement doesn’t need to be complicated. You just need to make it simple, clear, and actionable and must be written in affirmative language.

Say you want to read 100 motivational books a year. Ask yourself the question – what’s in it for me? Why am I doing this? Why do I have to stay up to finish this book?

By knowing the reasons behind your goals, you will surely stay inspired and driven. You don’t easily break or give up.

3. Create a timeline for your goals and execute

Most of us wait for motivation to strike before doing something. But sometimes, it doesn’t come easily. That is why you have to schedule it.

Creating a timeline for every goal or task you want to achieve helps you see things clearly. It gives you a clear picture of what to do, how to do it, and when to do it.

If you want to lose 5 kilograms in one month, then you have to set your target month. When will you start and when will you be able to finish it?

Once the schedule for your goals comes, it’s time for you to actually execute them. Don’t allow any excuses to impede you from truly taking a step.

Thus, regardless of your level of motivation, stick to your schedule. Do this consistently and progress will naturally follow suit. You will find yourself ready to do something new again.

Strategies to stay inspired and motivated

Everyone has their own way of motivating themselves. You can try some of the following strategies to stay inspired.

1. Break down your goals

Goals in general can be overwhelming. They seem impossible to achieve which sometimes discourages you from taking a step.

That is why if you break down your goals, it makes them manageable. It also makes it easier for you to accomplish them; thus, keeping you inspired and motivated

2. Follow successful people on social media and learn from them

There is no better way than to learn from the experts and they can be accessed through social media. You can learn from them from afar by following their accounts.

You can follow Oprah, Simon Sinek, Robert Kiyosaki, or Mark Manson. I believe they post tips about success in general whenever they can.

Focus on the tips they give that resonate with you. Mimic their mindset and outlook on life. Stay inspired by following people who have attained success.

3. Don’t do it alone. Find your support group

Indeed, the more, the better! To stay inspired and motivated, you have to have your own pack. You cannot be a lone wolf forever.

Having your support group means having people to back you up in times of trouble. They are there to push you, cheer you up when things get rough, and advise you whenever you need it.

So, don’t do things alone most of the time. You are strong but with the right people with you, you become more.

4. Don’t compare your progress with that of others

No man is alike and so your progress is absolutely different from others. You have your own timeline. So what if you did not succeed this time?

That doesn’t make you any less than the people around you. While there is a chance, keep trying. Keep pushing.

Don’t allow one failure to hinder you from blossoming. Keep the faith in you and stay inspired by focusing your attention on what needs to be done for you to get it right next time.

ALSO READ: DO NOT FALL INTO THE TRAP OF COMPARISON

5. Eliminate distractions

Time is of the essence and we cannot afford to waste it. That is why we have to make the most of it by eliminating distractions.

If you’re distracted, you will less likely stay inspired and focused on getting things done. So if you want to finish a book you have been ditching for a while, then switch off your phone and read.

If you want to work on a project you have been putting off, clear your table, set up your equipment such as a laptop, and start doing it.

6. Do regular visualization

Visualization helps you go back on track. It gives you a mental picture of what you want to achieve. That is why if it is done regularly, it can boost your energy and it makes you hang onto your goals more and stay inspired.

You can do visualizing by imagining your goals. You want to succeed, right? Then, take a moment and visualize.

See yourself as the person you want to become. Feel it. Because the more you own and feel it, the stronger you will likely to attract your goals towards you.

You can also do the maniscripting method and manifest your goals. Samantha has a course on this and it is an effective way to stay inspired.

7. Recognize your progress

No matter how big or small your achievement or progress is, tap your shoulder for a job well done. Recognize your effort and celebrate to stay inspired.

You can also step away and go somewhere to enjoy yourself. By acknowledging your effort, you get a kick out of it; therefore, enhancing your self-esteem. It helps you stay inspired and feel extraordinary.

So, don’t underestimate the power of your progress.

8. Practice gentle self-talk

One of the best ways to stay inspired is by treating yourself with respect and giving yourself positive self-talk.

So, practice daily affirmation as this totally brightens your day. It helps you combat stress and reduce the risk of depression. While it’s alright to self-criticize, you have to do it in such a way that does not put you down.

Here are Stay Inspired quotes you can ponder upon.

Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle. – Christian Larson

One of the keys to staying inspired is to believe in yourself – in your abilities. Know that everybody is born with an innate capacity to make changes and to reach one’s goal. And that includes you.

You may not see those abilities now. But you will someday. So, trust yourself that you can pursue and achieve what you have set your eyes on.

Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. – Arthur Ashe

To get ahead in life, start with what you have. You don’t need to take a huge leap. Just start small. Take baby steps.

It doesn’t even matter how slow you go or how long it will take to get what you want. What you need to do right now is to just give your all. 

Embrace bad news to learn where you need the most improvement. – Bill Gates

Maybe, you were taught to shy away from failures or mistakes. But they are there to teach and guide us. So, embrace them.

By accepting that nothing is perfect, that you are fallible, that there will be some bad news out there, you don’t get easily disappointed. Instead, you stay inspired.

Be stubborn about your goals and be flexible about your methods.

Sometimes, our methods don’t work. That is why we make mistakes. They are indicators that something doesn’t fit. Thus, be flexible enough to change your approach.

But don’t give up on your goals. Those who remain true to their goals succeed. So, chin up and carry on.

The secret of change is to focus your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new. – Socrates

There may be times that you dwell on your negative pasts. Let go of them. You are too precious to let your past haunt you. Let it stay where it belongs – the past.

Do your best to concentrate on the present and on creating your future. Now is the chance for you to redo and do the things that bring meaning to your life. Stay inspired and hang onto your goals.

You have to do everything you can. You have to work the hardest and if you stay positive, you have a shot at a silver lining.

Hard work pays off. Optimism pays off. Persistence pays off. So bear those in mind when you continue navigating life.

Carry this quote with you to stay inspired and motivated.  Remember, good things come to those who believe.

Push yourself because no one else is going to do it for you.

It’s okay to rely on people. But you have to be your own cheerleader from time to time. This is your life and you have to set your rules.

If you want to really succeed, then don’t let your struggles push you down. Rather, use it to push you up – to stay inspired and fired up.

Don’t watch the clock. Do what it does – keep going! – Sam Levenson

If there’s only one thing that keeps moving despite the changes in our society, it’s time. So, follow its lead and keep the pace.

Don’t wait for another minute to go to waste without actually doing something productive. It’s okay to take a break because you’re tired of working or just simply tired of everything.

But don’t stop just yet. Keep moving and stay inspired.

Don’t worry about failures. Worry about the chances you miss when you don’t even try. – Jack Canfield

Be like children once again – fearless. Once they learn how to ride a bike, they go at it again.

It doesn’t matter if they scrape their knees or bruise their arms from falling. They go riding their bikes anyway.

Learn from them. If you want something so badly, act on it.

You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. – Maya Angelou

There are many roadblocks in life. They are maybe strong enough to knock you down and chip your confidence.

Yet you shouldn’t allow those challenges to defeat you. Reign over it and do whatever you can to overcome or destroy every single one of them.

You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice. – Bob Marley

To stay inspired and successful, you need commitment and determination. In life, we are sometimes confronted with a “do-or-die” situation. It’s either “that” or “this”.

Life pushes us and for some of us, that could be frustrating. But if you want to win, use those challenges as your primary motivation.

 When things are not going as planned, don’t use that as an excuse to give up. Instead, use it as motivation to push harder. Never give up!

Bad days are normal. Some plans fail. But that doesn’t mean that you stop striving. You’ve come a long way and so this is not the time to give up.

There are ways to turn things in your favor. Use your “bad days” or “failure” as your inspiration to do better. Do your best to learn from everything you’re facing.

ALSO READ: Inspirational quotes to live by

How do I stay Inspired?

I too have moments when I just don’t feel like doing anything. I struggle to stay inspired and motivated too. When days like this come, I just remind myself that it’s okay to take a break. It’s okay to ditch your to-do list sometimes and do something relaxing.

Self-care is a non-negotiable to me because I can’t stay inspired and motivated when I can’t take care of myself. I do creative activities such as journaling, listening to inspirational people, or just watching TV. How do you stay inspired?

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OVER TO YOU

Life is tough and it gets rougher as we journey on. But if you know your purpose, then you have the motivation to go forward. Do not be dissuaded by how long you will go or finish the job.

All you have to do is to continue walking and moving. Eventually, you’ll get there. You’ll achieve your dreams. So, keep the fire burning in you and stay inspired!

QUESTION: How do you stay inspired? How do you stay focused and motivated in life? What do you do every day to stay inspired and motivated?