Questions
are very powerful in helping to point us towards our purpose,
maintaining focus and influencing motivation.
Everyone
has some triggers that help them maintain their motivation. As we are
all different, the same strategies and tips may not work for
everyone. That’s
why it is so important to ask yourself questions and figure out what
works for you.
What
are my reasons for wanting to achieve my goal?
Taking
a step back to think about what makes your goal important to you is a
good place to start. It is important to remind yourself what matters
to you. Our values are our motivators, so by exploring your values
you will be able to tap into your motivation.
What
steps do I need to take to move closer to my goal?
Big
goals can be overwhelming and decrease your motivation. Breaking your
goal into small, manageable steps can help you focus, but also will
help you take small actions towards your objectives. Seeing
progression and results can also greatly boost your motivation.
What
would be the consequences of not being motivated to achieve my goal?
Some
people are more motivated by consequences of not achieving something
and the negative impact it may have on them rather that the benefits
of achieving it. If you are one of those people, this question may
resonate with you very much.
What
stops or reduces my motivation?
Building
awareness about what helps and hinders your motivation is crucial. If
you are aware of what it is you need to change, you can take action
to make those changes.
What
obstacles or barriers may I face that will sabotage my motivation?
You
know yourself better than anyone else. You know the thoughts you are
having, limiting beliefs that may creep up every now and again and
sabotage your motivation. Recognise those obstacles and deal with
them one by one.
How
can I overcome those obstacles?
What
can you do to overcome the barriers and obstacles standing in the way
of your motivation? Being aware of what may stop your motivation will
help you determine what you can do to avoid it.
What
habits can I create to increase my motivation?
It
is much harder to break old bad habits and patterns of thinking than
creating new positive habits. To give you an example, think of a big
tree with strong and deep roots in the ground. That tree has been
watered and conditioned for years. It will be impossible to pull the
tree out without any additional support no matter how hard you try.
It is much easier though to plant new seeds and give your new tree
plenty of water, sunshine and nutrition to ensure it grows healthy
and strong. At the same time, if you starve the old tree from
sunlight and water, eventually your old tree will become weaker and
its roots will dry out.
What
tangible reminders do I need to see to stay motivated?
Having
visual prompts, pictures, cues can really help in reminding you what
it is what you want or don’t
want. For example, sticking a picture on the fridge of yourself 1
stone heavier may help you stay motivated to keep weight off and
continue your diet. When you are most likely to give in to your
impulses and cravings tangible reminders can help to interrupt the
impulse and keep you on track.
Who
can support me?
Having
a support network and being accountable to someone can increase your
motivation. Being able to share your successes, ideas, concerns and
talking things through can help you keep your enthusiasm and
motivation up.
How
will I reward myself?
Knowing
that there is a reward or treat for your efforts can help you stay
motivated.
Taking
a relatively small amount of time to ask yourself and answer these
simple questions could help you achieve your goals much more quickly
and efficiently. You can head towards your objectives with your eyes
open, ready to deal with any barriers that come along the way.
