Goals and MotivationPeople who get what they want are typically experts at maintaining the relationship between goals and motivation. In fact, many of them use the same motivational techniques. Many very successful people write down their goals in a daily journal each morning. Others like to read and re-read their goals several times a day. Seeing your goals in writing is a very strong motivational image. The core concept is repetition. By continuously reminding yourself of your goals, you maintain a high level motivation. Goals and motivation are quickly lost if they are not kept fresh in your mind. The busyness of life can consume you, leaving little energy to fulfill your goals. It can be easier to push them to the back of your mind and say, "I'll think about them later." But, now is all you have; later never arrives. And, deep down, you already know that. When you tell yourself, "I'll think about it later", you feel sad or stuck. That is because you are giving away your power to less important things: chores, errands and busy work. An entire week can slip by and you are no closer to your goals. Action is the key to goals and motivation. Start going after what you want right now. Focus on motivational techniques that kick you into over-drive. Stay fixed to your goals and actively work on them - it's a great way to have more energy and motivation. The more action you take, the more you will feel accomplished and satisfied. Keep goals and motivation fresh with these motivational techniques:
1. Write down your goals and your feelings . Seeing your goals in writing is powerful and inspiring. Somehow, seeing them in print makes them more real. Take this a step farther by also writing down how you will feel when you reach your goals. Feelings are strong motivators, so be sure to leverage them when going after your goals.
2. Use a motivational image. Photographs, pictures, or magazine cut-outs are great ways to literally see your goals. Such positive images will fuel your motivation. If your goal is to take a beach vacation, then tack-up some blue ocean and sugar-white sand images. I like to post them on my bathroom mirror and the refrigerator. If you work in front of a computer, try downloading some to your desktop or create a custom screen saver. Put a motivational image somewhere you will see it at least twice a day.
3. Tell at least one person about your goals and motivation It can be nerve-wracking to confide in someone else. But, it is a good way to test how committed you truly are. If you can't bring yourself to tell someone, then you aren't ready to go after your goals. Instead, work on making your goals clearer and more real, instead of seeing them as a far-off fantasy. When you do tell someone, choose a responsible and positive person. You don't need anyone holding you back or putting negativity into your life. Find someone who will check in on you periodically and hold you accountable for taking action. If possible, choose someone who has demonstrated past success in achieving their own goals. They have already figured out how to jump hurdles and side-step obstacles on the path to success. Tap into their life experience in order to accelerate your own success.
4. Pick one powerful motivational image and one motivational thought to immediately "play" when your motivation plummets. Select a vivid, positive image and a short motivational thought to use whenever your motivation drops. These should be simple, but meaningful. Keep them to under 1 minute of "play" time in your head. If you start to make things long and complicated, you won't maintain the habit. So, keep it simple, vivid, powerful, and use them frequently.
The benefit of using constant reminders is that they help you remember your goals and motivation. It is easier to keep focused and in control with a clear vision of what you want to achieve.
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