Here's how to get motivated when you're not feeling it
Motivation is essentially wanting something and having the drive to do it. This condition we feel inside gives us the desire to make a change, whether that be in our personal life or environment. We are all motivated by something, but sometimes it takes digging deep to reignite that spark.
Motivation is influenced by the satisfaction of needs that are either necessary for sustaining life or essential for wellbeing and growth, and although we need to have motivation in order to succeed, a common problem many people face is staying motivated.
Why do we lose motivation? Motivation loss is something that everyone will experience in their life, and it can be totally normal in the short-term. There are many reasons for why this happens, but most commonly it’s because we lose sight of what we want, we’re stressed, or simply unhappy. When our life lacks meaning or clarity it can turn into a heavy downward spiral, hence no motivation.
Do any of these sound familiar to you..
- Feeling like you can’t make an impact?
- Feeling bored with your routine?
- Feeling like you have no purpose?
- Comparing yourself to others?
- People pleasing?
- Setting unrealistic goals?
I think it’s safe to say a lot of people have answered yes to one, or all of the above at a certain point in their life. Learning to address the cause for your lack of motivation is imperative to getting back on track during these trying times.
The good news
“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.” – Zig Ziglar
This infamous quote is a perfect reminder that motivation is not innately present all the time, in-fact the key to staying motivated is by incorporating it into your daily life.
How to keep the spark alive
- Identify a clear life purpose – and remind yourself of why you’re doing this each and every day. If what you’re doing is no longer serving you, redefine your goals.
- Set achievable goals – remember small steps lead to a big change, that’s why it’s important to remember there is more success in setting small measurable goals you can work towards daily. You will see so much more progress with these smaller, more attainable goals which will keep you motivated to continue progressing forward.
- Think how you can impact the world – of course our goals and dreams are vital, but they only last until we accomplish them, then what’s next? If we can align our goals with bettering the world around us this will open a new path of motivation that is like unlike anything we’ve experienced on a personal level.
- Take care of your health – your health is priceless, that’s why it’s important to prioritize your wellbeing over anything else. This means getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, dealing with your stress, making time for family and friends and something a lot of us forget to do self-care!
The takeaway
We all experience motivation loss, but the key to re-sparking your desire starts with defining the problem – why am I feeling this way? Once you understand the cause for your lack of motivation, you can move forward by redefining what you want or need to make you happy, with the addition of taking care of your health of course.