How To Stick To Your Goals When You’ve Lost Motivation

In the beginning you get excited at the thought of achieving goals you've set for yourself.

You start writing them down, writing out a plan, and listing out habits to adopt.

Then after a couple of months, a year, or a few years, your motivation hits the ground like a pile of bricks.

All of sudden you're no longer motivated enough to keep pursuing it.

What's that about? You might ask. Followed by a bit of frustration and confusion.

The solution? We'll get into that. But before I do, let's look at the reasons WHY you've lost the drive to pursue your goals.

 

1. Your goals aren't big enough.

"Set a goal so big that you can't achieve it until you grow into the person who can." - Unknown

If your goals aren't big enough you won't be excited enough to pursue them. As Jim Rohn said, some people have goals, but they're so lousy that they're unexciting.

I'll give you an example. If your goal is to lose a pound of weight, raise the bar to 5 pounds of weight. Just imagine what a difference it'll make.

If your goal is to close 2 deals this month, raise the bar to 20 deals or more.

If your goal is to become an athlete, adjust the goal to "become a world-class athlete who's known in 20 different countries".

 

2. Your reasons aren't meaningful enough.

A lot of us would LOVE to be a millionaire, yet aren't willing to do the work. Why? Because of a lack of strong reasons.

Materialistic gains like a big house or a big car just isn't enough to keep you driven.

The same principle can be applied to your goals and dreams. If the reason you want to succeed isn't meaningful enough, your motivation won't last.

You need more than just a basic reason if you expect to be driven to achieve your goals.

My reasons for success is to leave a memorable, inspiring legacy behind.

I want to take care of my family and do the things I care about without limitations.

I want to make a difference though the work I create and the businesses I start.

Those reasons inevitably keep me going. What are your reasons? Dig deep and you'll find them.

 

3. The reward isn't big enough.

My multi-millionaire goal will allow me to contribute on a tremendous scale. And will allow me to fulfill my purpose in a much bigger way.

So the reward is more than big enough to keep me going.

And even If I came up short, I'd have accomplished more than I would have If my goals were smaller.

If the reward for your goal isn't life-changing, you won't be motivated enough to achieve it.

Goals need to be life-changing, enhancing, drastic and noticeable. Or else the end result will be more depressing than it will be encouraging.

 

Now we've covered the reasons WHY, here's how to stick to your goals when you've lost motivation.

 

1. Redefine your goals.

"If it doesn't challenge you, it won't change you." - Unknown

Take a look at your list of goals, or whichever goals you're focused on, then redefine them.

Change them. Adjust them a little bit. Improve on them. And make them even bigger, badder, and more meaningful.

The best way to redefine your goals is to look at the results you want from your goals. And I mean the REAL results. Not just "nice to" have's.

Then recreate your goals to match the results you want, and get to work.

 

2. Ask better questions.

"Knowledge is having the right answer. Intelligence is asking the right question." - Unknown

Don't just ask questions like - "What are my goals?". Ask questions like:

1. Who am I doing this for?


2. What am I doing this for?


3. Why does this matter?


4. What is it I truly care about?


5. What difference do I intend to make?


6. Who will this help?


7. How will this improve my life?


8. What are benefits?


9. Who benefits?


10. Is this fulfilling?


11. Does this truly align with my purpose?

These are real questions you've got to start asking yourself. Have a serious think about it. The answers will surprise you, and will be of a better quality.

 

Share your takeaways in the comments, and share on your social networks!

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Theo Ellis is a straightforward blogger who’s creative by nature, and committed to making a difference. He focuses on confidence building and personal development on his blog Just Be Real.

The post How To Stick To Your Goals When You’ve Lost Motivation appeared first on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement.

3 Things You Can Do Today To Be a Leader

Leadership can boil down to one thing, and that is, being remarkable.

Being remarkable is not an easy feat. It takes years of honing skills to be a great communicator and leader.

There are times in our lives that we take a step back and think about how we want to be more of a powerful leader, whether it is at work, at home, on a sports team or even on social networks.

Natural born leaders do exist, but being a leader can certainly be learned.

Leadership is a powerful responsibility and must be treated as such.

We cannot abuse our leadership. We must take on the responsibility with dignity, humility and respect. Effective leaders show qualities that others desire to emulate.

They are trendsetters, early adopters, and are great at communicating what they do.

Leaders don’t struggle to acquire followers, people are naturally attracted to them and their lifestyle.

So, you've opened your thoughts to the world, and want to be a remarkable leader, but how do you get started.

Below I have listed a few techniques that you can implement today that will bring you a few steps closer to being that leader that you see in  yourself.

Be the Example - As a leader it is our responsibility to go above and beyond without overextending ourselves and spreading our time too thin. Leaders are responsible about their time and how they manage it.

Often when a person wants to be a leader the hardest thing is knowing what to do. Here is a plan of action to be the example. Be first. Whatever it is, be the first one to do something. Now, you don’t have to do everything, but you should be doing something, especially something that relates to your company, brand or lifestyle.

Your work doesn't always have to be perfect or the best. In fact, leaving judgements behind and moving forward with your decisions is a great way to quickly begin your leadership adventures.

Whether you are a blogger using the newest social media platform, or a personal trainer using the newest apps to help your clients, using something new is one way to get ahead. Continue the trend in other aspects of your life. Be the first to go to the new restaurant in town and the first to write a review. Being an early adopter shows that you are up on current events both locally and nationally.

Exude Trust - Leaders are not only people that others look up to, but ones that they confide in. People are willing to open themselves up, show their heart, and tell the truth.

They feel that leaders have done the same, and for that reason, it’s okay. Leaders know themselves and know their worth. Even if they are growing as a leader, they know how valuable being transparent and honest is.

Building trust among followers is vital. Leaders must be attentive to the needs of his or her people. Leaders must always be looking up and down at the same time.

Following in the footsteps of those leaders who came before you, and looking down at the leaders who are on the rise, and learning from both is essential. Leaders must exude trust through all of their actions and words.

Open Mind - Leaders, although they are the influencers, must always keep an open mind. Leaders don’t think every idea that they have is golden.

They know ideas take sculpting and molding before they are perfected. For this reason, a leader does not reject ideas from others.

Leaders trust those that work for them, listen to them, and help them develop their ideas. They are open to hearing others opinions and learning from them.

Leaders must constantly be in a mindset of learning. Being open to learning shows a leader's vulnerability and that vulnerability is key to keeping a following.

Overall

There is a big difference between someone who leads and a leader. Leaders are followed by others. People who lead, are just in a position of power. Leaders take it upon themselves to better themselves, while those who lead just coast off of their titles. To be a true leader, step up into the person you know you can be.

Max is a consultant for Point Above, a mindfulness, leadership and business coach based out of New Orleans, Louisiana.  You can connect with him on Twitter @maxcron.

The post 3 Things You Can Do Today To Be a Leader appeared first on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement.

6 Ways to Get More Done Without Going Crazy

Note: This post is written by Cristina Simmons

Having too much to do and not enough time to do it is a common affliction. Unfortunately, very few of us has the luxury of hiring help. This means that your only option is to find ways to get more things accomplished each day. This means working more efficiently, becoming better organized, and managing your time better.

The challenge is, how do you accomplish this? Here are six ways to get more done:

1. If You Aren’t Doing It for a Reason, Don’t Do it

Think about it, how many tasks do you do every day without thinking? They are on your schedule, you are moving from one job to the next, so you simply do them.

Now, ask yourself this question; do I really need to do everything that I do? If you can’t see a reason to continue a specific task, stop doing it.

2. Embrace Meal Prep Sunday

Meal prep Sunday is a concept that was created by weightlifters, bodybuilders, and other athletes. The idea was to spend time each Sunday assembling healthy meals in individual containers that could be reheated throughout the week. The idea was to make it easy to get the right balance of calories, fats, carbs, and proteins in, even if there was no time to cook during the week.

However, if you think about it, there is absolutely no reason you couldn’t spend a couple of hours on Sunday creating large batches of food and then divvying that food into meals for the week.

3. Remodel Your Office

If you aren’t working in a well-lit, comfortable space, you’re going to have a difficult time being productive and managing your time well.

You will spend some money up front, but investing in a good source of light, a chair that works for you, and a desk that allows you to work with everything in perfect alignment will absolutely make you more productive. You will spend less time focusing on various aches, pains, and eyestrain, and more time working.

If painting is part of your remodeling plan, take some time to do a Google search on the impacts of color on productivity.

4. Take Yourself Out to Eat

Boredom is a major drain on productivity. The more bored you are, the more likely you are to stop what you are doing to watch an episode of that new show on Netflix or spend too much time scrolling through your news feed. Even if you are self-disciplined enough to ignore electronic temptations, the boredom can cause you to zone out and daydream.

One way to solve this problem is to simply change your location. Head to a cafe or coffee shop, order a little lunch, and get to work for a couple of hours. The physical activity required to walk or drive to the new location will boost your energy, and the changed surroundings will be stimulating enough to get you focused on your work again.

5. Procrastinate

This one may go against everything you have ever been told about getting things done and being productive. You have probably been told, since childhood, that if you have a tough job to do, you should just roll up your sleeves and get it done quickly.

Here’s the problem with this logic. Big, difficult, and unpleasant tasks take a lot of mental energy. Sometimes they take a lot of physical energy as well. If you are like many people, energy is not something that you have to spare at the beginning of the day. Instead, figure out when you have the most energy, and use that time to work on tough jobs.

6. Put a Throw Box in Every Room

Sometimes, you have the need for a clean and uncluttered space, but you don’t have the time and energy to clean. This where a throw box comes in handy. A throw box can be almost anything. A wicker box with a lid, a large storage tub, or an old chest can all be used as a throw box. A throw box is simply a covered container into which you can quickly sweep papers, books, magazines, and any other clutter that has gathered onto flat surfaces.

If you need to clean, but don’t have the time to find a home or owner for each item that has been left out, just toss it in the throw box.  You’ll spend less time, cleaning and sorting, more time being productive, and the job of finding and relocating objects can be delegated to the owners of those objects.

Cristina Simmons is a blogger from Canada. She likes writing about motivation, self-growth and development. Moreover, Cristina works as a content writer at EssayWriting.education. You can contact her on Facebook and Twitter.

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Top 5 Failures of the Volkswagen Touareg

The VW Touareg and I have spent many many hours together. Some of that time was great, other times were a real struggle. I really learned how to be a technician because of the Touareg and all the problems that it had. There are many reasons that the VW Touareg was such a nightmare for customers...

The post Top 5 Failures of the Volkswagen Touareg appeared first on Humble Mechanic.

10 Simple Steps To Boost Your Confidence In 10 Minutes A Day

Harsh, isn’t it?

Opportunities refuse to wait while you summon up enough confidence to step up to the challenge...

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  You were desperate to speak to that special person, but your words stuck in your throat.

  
  


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  You needed to nail that presentation, but your face betrayed your nerves.

  
  


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  You just wanted to chill and order a coffee, but you felt like all eyes were on you.

  
  

How can you hope to achieve anything worthwhile when your confidence keeps standing you up like a fickle friend?

I couldn't. My confidence used to fail to turn up more often than not.

I tried a lot of methods for boosting confidence out there, but good though they were, they mostly seemed to be dealing piecemeal with the problem. What I needed was a confidence building routine that once sorted, would be easy, quick and effective. One that built my confidence, day on day.

So here’s how to boost your confidence in just 10 minutes a day...

Start a Confidence Boosting Morning Ritual

Rushing unprepared into your day leaves your confidence seriously vulnerable. You need to put yourself in control of your thoughts - and body - from the outset. Do this and your confidence will step right out the door with you composed, ready and alert, just like you.

1. Slowly drink a glass of water.

Do this the minute you get up. This seems simple, but is very powerful – Navy Seals among others do this as part of their morning routine.

• 
  

  It replaces fluid lost in the night which makes your mind and body more effective - essential for confidence.

  
  


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  It slows you down, makes you concentrate on the present and stops you rushing – rushing is one of the biggest destroyers of confidence.

  
  

2. Think of all the things you have to be grateful for.

Focus your thoughts on all the good things in your life your are blessed to have, including the water you have just drunk.

• 
  

  This is scientifically proven to kick-start your positive mindset, a prerequisite for dealing confidently with the day's opportunities and challenges.

  
  


• 
  

  Starting the day with gratitude creates an optimistic perspective, which makes you happier. Happier people are more confident people - try being confident when you feel down, its way harder than when you're on top of the world.

  
  

TIP: You can do this during your day before a particular event if your confidence needs a minute to recharge. Stop what you’re doing and go get a glass of water at the water cooler, restaurant or tap. Drink it slowly to get your thoughts to stop racing.

3. Do a 'box-breathing' exercise.

If you can control your breathing, you can control your body and your thoughts. And with control comes confidence. Try it and see.

• 
  

  Breathe in for a slow count of four, hold, then breathe out, then hold – all for the same slow count – 4+4+4+4 – hence the 'box' shape.

  
  

• 
  

  Repeat seven to ten times, or more until you feel calm and confident.

  
  

TIP: Any time you need to call on extra self-confidence, do a few ‘box breaths’ before tackling it. Want to start a tricky conversation? Try one or two. Delivering a presentation? Try a dozen or so in a quiet space.

4. Make your bed.

Making your bed or a similar task again seems very simple, but it creates order at the very start of your day.

• 
  

  Make your first task a simple, achievable one. This puts you in control of your day.

  
  


• 
  

  Concentrate on the task in front of you and keep your concentration and thoughts in the present. Concentrating on the past and future tends to lead to regret or worrying.

  
  

TIP: You can do this at any time of the day. If you are at work, for instance, tidy your desk for a quick confidence-boost.

5.Start a Confidence Contract.

The second part of your confidence-boosting morning routine is to make a Confidence Contract with yourself. Writing down your goal(s) in a journal or plain notebook leads to greater commitment as well as the ability to see how well you are progressing.

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  Write down one to four actions. Make sure that if achieved, they would show that your confidence had indeed grown.

  
  


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  For any that are a big jump in confidence, break them down to the smallest possible steps. Always give yourself time.
  

  
  

6. Check your progress.

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  Each morning review your Confidence Contract. Look back through your triumphs and congratulate yourself for the steps you have taken.

  
  


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  Never berate yourself if you meant to act and then at the spur of the moment failed to. Instead, analyse why you faltered - maybe the step was too big? Adjust it and try again.
  

  
  

7. Write down the negative and positive people in your life.

Sure they’re just struggling with their own battles but they are undermining your confidence. How confident you are and where you are in life in five years time will largely be down to the five people you choose to spend the most time with.

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  It may seem heartless, but you need to work out how to cut ties with all those negative or toxic people holding your natural confidence back. For those you can’t, and there might be some significant ones in that list, you need to find ways to restrict your contact with them as much as possible.

  
  


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  Those you have marked as positive influences in your life, you need to find ways to connect with them more often. They will naturally enhance your confidence.

  
  

TIP: Make sure none of these people see themselves among your entries. If you’ve opted for a digital journal, you can encrypt your file. If not, don’t use their real names.

8. Choose a role model.

Look for someone who has the confidence you would like. Most people aren't born super confident. Choose someone who consciously worked on their confidence and has written about how they achieved it.

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  Find out a little about them each morning and write down the particular characteristic you want to emulate in your Contract journal.

  
  


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  Note what tactics they may have used to gain confidence and emulate them if appropriate.

  
  

TIP: Remember, the aim isn't to 'ape' them. It's to pick up tips and to realize if they did it, you can too in your own way and at your own pace.

9. Write out a definition of you.

Comparing yourself to others or, as mentioned above, trying to 'ape' others, is a sure way to destroy, not boost, your confidence. An old proverb says 'The original is worth more than a copy'. Often ten, a hundred or a thousand times more.

The only way you can guarantee to boost and maintain your confidence in the long-term is to simply be yourself.

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  Write out a definition of who you really are in your Contract journal. This may take some time initially and a few attempts. Each morning jot down a little more of the true you - desires, dreams and what truly makes you, you.

  
  


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  Each morning read your character statement and remind yourself that's who you're most confident being – yourself.

  
  

10. Show your individuality.

Boosting your confidence is often a mixture of internal and external actions. Finishing your morning routine by dressing smart can indeed be a confidence-booster, but it doesn’t mean you need to be a faceless clone.

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  Wear clothes that make you feel good and that fit well. Ill-fitting clothes are an instant confidence-deflator.

  
  


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  Express your individuality in whatever you step out in. Hiding or dumbing down the authentic you eats away at your confidence.

  
  

TIP: If you have to wear a particular dress style that may not suit your individuality, say at work, then wear some underclothing or accessory that still shouts 'you'.

Supercharge Your Confidence

Imagine having the nerve to speak to that special person.

Imagine having the confidence to crush that presentation.

Imagine having the composure to not mind if all eyes are on you.

Your confidence could be your ally, not your adversary.

Your ten minutes completed, your thoughts calm, your body in tune, your day under control.

Start your own confidence-boosting morning ritual and grab the rewards.

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Mark & Laura are on a mission to help you build your confidence and grow your happiness. Download their free cheat sheet: 5 Guilt Free Ways To Say No Without Offending Anyone (Even If You Hate Conflict)

The post 10 Simple Steps To Boost Your Confidence In 10 Minutes A Day appeared first on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement.

5 Ways To Cope With Envy

You know that feeling when someone you know just got a promotion and suddenly you feel a pain in your chest. Or a fellow blogger just got his novel published and out of nowhere you have a headache.

We all struggle with this green-eyed monster at different times in our lives.  If you think about it, envy is a very natural reaction. It is nothing but a longing for someone else's success or good fortune. We all want to have good things and be happy and successful. And so it is only natural that we feel envious towards someone who already has it all.

But if you let it, this poison envy can really grow and creep up on you sucking all of your positive energy, self-respect and productivity leaving you feeling resentful and unhappy.

Here are 5 things that can help you cope with envy.

1. 
   

   Write it down:

   
   

Acknowledge it. Envy appears in the form of a bad mood and then almost suddenly grows into a feeling of despair. Keep a personal journal and spill the beans. Most of the time, we want to tell someone how terrible we feel. And most of them time, we don’t because we think people will judge us. Writing it down helps you release a lot of emotions, de-cluttering if you will, and gives you more space to accept positive information.

2. 
   

   Give yourself some respect:

   
   

If you already a poor self-image, then envy is like a double whammy.  Not only do you feel a miserable longing for another person's success, you feel even worse for feeling that way! A quick way to raise yourself up would be, again, to write down all you achievements or other successful moments in your life. It could be anything. This is enough proof that you have done something that made you happy and this is proof that you can do it again.

3. 
   

   Analyze the subject:

   
   

Grab your favorite cuppa and do a case study. I’m not kidding! Study the person whose victory is making you feel so worthless. Start at the very beginning and try to trace this person’s journey. Do you see a pattern? Does it involve hard work, courage, persistence and networking? Is there luck or any other favorable conditions? What are the qualities that you think have helped this person get where he is? Again write it down. This also helps you to look objectively at the environment in which your subject works and succeeds.

4. 
   

   Water your grass

   
   

If you think the grass is green on the other side; maybe it is time to review our own patch of grass. Are you watering it enough? Are you being persistent and hardworking? Are you looking for opportunities and being courageous about them? Do you think you could take a course or acquire some new skills that could take you there faster? Should you do something differently? Think about it. Write it down. Make an action plan.

5. 
   

   Turn envy into Inspiration

   
   

Every time you start feeling envious, take a deep breath and try to turn it into admiration and inspiration. Let it be a reminder that good things are possible. Look for the pattern, see how to tweak it for yourself and find the courage to be persistent.

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A software programmer, SAHM, blogger, a compulsive crafter, a fellow hitch hiker in this galaxy, focused on self improvement. You can find more of my blogging stories HERE!

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5 Reasons People Who Struggle Are Actually Stronger Individuals

Struggles have always been looked back in negative remorse and is usually associated with being weak. But what many tend to ignore is that these tough experiences are natural parts of our lives and that these moments help us grow. It is natural to experience good moments in your life and also natural to experience bad moments in your life.

There is nothing weak about soldiering on in your struggles. It does not make you any less fragile than anyone else and in fact I argue that it makes you stronger. Find out why in the points below:

They Are Experienced 

Each moment has moulded them and they come out a stronger person physically and mentally. Think of how a muscle is strengthened; it is put through constant strain and eventually rebuilds. Through struggle they learn how to optimally think, breath, and deal with stressful situations. They have felt different perspectives in life and have built resistance to hardship. The only way to build experience against struggle is to go through struggle. This is why having that experience is a strength.

They Are Able To Inspire and Encourage Others

Being able to motivate and inspire others is a great strength. It is a powerful way of giving value to others. People naturally look towards others whom are experienced. Struggle is interesting and people can’t help but give their attention to those whom have struggled. Everyone wants to know the secret to getting overcoming adversity and they want to hear from someone who’s been through it. People who struggle can empower others by becoming leaders and becoming mentors to others going through the same situations. They would offer value in return for yours and this makes the ability to inspire powerful.

They Can Remain Cool Calm and Unaffected

Sudden changes don’t phase these individuals because they know that life can throw anything at them. What keeps them calm is the fact that know that they can get through it with confidence. Each struggle has prepared them to go through life with ease. Similar to how fear is minimised through constant exposure the same can be said for struggle. Being able to remain calm in high stress situations is a strong trait and can only be developed by going through struggle. 

Struggles Spark a Sense of Urgency

In the current age there are countless stories of people going from rags to riches. Names that come to mind include Oprah Winfrey, J.K Rowling, John D. Rockefeller, and Richard Branson. Struggle forces people to take action and these acts of desperation can pave the way to one’s goals and dreams. When one desperately wants to survive and thrive they create remarkable feats. This desperation and motivation to survive is a strength that not everyone can experience.

Find The Beauty in Life

Being able to find beauty and joy in undesirable situations is a gift and strength. Each experience is paint for the canvas they call life. They know they can be happy at any moment in their lives and use it to their advantage. Most people are chasing for things such as money, fame, and power. They think that these things can bring them happiness and joy, but those things only provide temporary relief. People who struggled and lived without these things know that love, family, and friendship is more important and healthy for the soul.

Everyone struggles, it is as inevitable as breathing. Though this may be true, there are those whom struggle more than others. Struggles forge stronger people, any success that is worthwhile is built through struggle. Hold your head up high and soldier on!

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Thanks for reading! Enjoy an exclusive article on getting past anxiety through my blog 'The Anxiolytic' !

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