As 2019 begins, the air is filled with the promise of a fresh start.
You can practically feel the motivation oozing through your body.
“New year – new me!” you triumphantly proclaimed on social media earlier this week…paired with a perfectly candid photo of yourself staring thoughtfully into the distance of course.
This is the year you are going to get it all together.
You are going to get that new gym membership, meal prep every week, drink a ton of water and kick that bad habit once and for all…five cups of coffee a day isn’t that bad… is it?
But let’s be real honest with each other here, how long do your new year’s resolutions actually last?
When the new year rolls around, our motivation levels and drive to reach our goals are high.
However, without the proper fuel to keep our fire of motivation burning, these amazing goals may once again fall off the radar…oh well, I guess 2020 will be my year.
Not this year folks!
This month’s theme is all about motivation – what is it, how to spark it, and how to motivate not only ourselves, but also the folks we serve every day as recreation therapists.
So without further ado, let’s start with the basics and chat all about how to spark your motivation.
Spark That Motivation
Here are six of my all-time favorite tips you can use to capitalize on the new year’s motivation spark.
Just get started
No matter where you are right now, the smallest lifestyle changes can produce momentum towards your bigger goals.
So get up, and change out that billionth cup of coffee sitting beside you for a glass of water.
You are now well on your way to reaching all your amazing #2019goals
Reflect on a previous success
Remember that time that you searched the internet for healthy recipes and planned out all your nutritious meals and ate like a vegan god for a week?
Highlight that memory in your mind, because science suggests that one of the main motivators of productivity is a previous success. WINNING!
Visualize it
Y’all ever read The Secret?
Nah … me neither…but I do somewhat understand the basic premise (that counts for something right?)
If you visualize your goals on a daily basis, your subconscious mind will start focusing your conscious energy to see resources and opportunities needed to reach those goals.
So why not break out the scissors, glue, and magazines – It’s time to get your craft on and make a Vision Board.
Surround yourself with the right people
Have you ever heard the saying, you are the five people you spend the most time with?
It is time to take a good, hard look at the people you surround yourself with.
Ask yourself – are these people healthy, supportive and life-giving?
If so – Great! You have won the relationship lottery!
If not – It may be time to befriend some new peeps.
Give yourself a break
This might seem counter-intuitive, as you just start putting your new year’s resolutions into action.
But for most folks, the all or nothing way of life doesn’t tend to work.
For instance, if your new year’s goal was to go to the gym more often, make sure you give yourself some rest days.
Remember – it’s all balance my friend!
Motivation isn’t static – it fluctuates
Some mornings I wake up at 5 am with energy coming out the wazoo.
And some mornings (like today) I hit the snooze button too many times to admit.
Realize that your motivation levels will ebb and flow.
This is normal!
Don’t be too hard on yourself if you “mess up”. Just accept it and try again tomorrow.
Bottom Line:
- Motivation ebbs and flows – nobody is perfect – we are only human folks!!
- Whatever your goal is, you got this!
- 2019 is your year… just like 2018, 2017, and 2016 were… EVERY YEAR IS YOUR YEAR!