You may have an aim you want to achieve yet procrastination, fear, and confusion may be setting you back. Wouldn’t it be great to stay motivated and get your work done? Many people disrespect the term motivation by referring to it as a word with no real substance. Many motivational speakers (to that effect) do not want to be classed as motivational, as it has been badged with bad press. My personal opinion is it doesn’t have to necessarily be bad, motivational or not if the material aims to provide value in your life and you are able to be compelled to do so, then that is the most important thing. Check out my top 10 list to stay motivated for your goals and projects.

 

1. Be Clear on your Goals

It is really important that you know what your aims as this specifies your present and future actions. It will also suggest why you are doing something as it enables you to take action. Clarity can be formed in many ways and the most common way people are familiar with is SMART criteria i.e. Specific – Measurable – Achievable – Relatable – Time-bound. Without highlighting too much about the different aspects of SMART, in general, you need to remember the following:

1. What you want to do
2. The reason why
3. How you will measure success
4. Your deadline
5. Your next steps

 

2. Have an Accountability buddy

This by far is one of the most effective ways to stay motivated when aiming to complete a goal. An accountability buddy is someone you regularly meet with or call, that holds you to account for your desired aims and goals. It works both ways, so you have to also return the favour. This is extremely powerful based on the following reasons:

• Keeps you in the competitive spirit
• You don’t want to waste someone else’s time
• There are insights that may be highlighted to you that you weren’t aware of
• The sessions get you pumped and in the mood to work

There are many more benefits, but the secret to many people’s success is having a system of accountability, and this is it at its basic and finest form. Note: If you have an accountability partner who does not give and only takes, get a new one ASAP, don’t waste your time.

 

3. Create a Mastermind Group

The first time I encountered the term Mastermind was in Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich. Mr. Hill further elaborates his concept in his book The Laws of Success by saying “…Minds that meet trigger new form thought vibrations that are rearranged based on meeting, creating a new state of mind.” In other words, when you meet with like-minded people, you are more likely to have a harmony in thinking that is aligned to your common goals. Form a Mastermind group with friends, family members and networks! Meet every month or quarterly and discuss, share, and resolve ideas based on your common goals. Make sure you have a dedicated facilitator who can orchestrate and channel the sessions effectively. I have been doing this for a year now, and I can confidently say it has contributed towards my own progress.

 

 

4. Be part of a Community

Following the trend of being around like-minded people, make sure you are part of a network that hosts events with like-minded people in that circle. These events need to be based on an interest or an ambition you have, it needs to connect to your identity as a person. It could be based on the following:

• Culture
• Entrepreneurship
• Education
• Health & Wellbeing
• Technology

Again this is no way an exhaustive list but it gives you an example of things you can definitely go to. There are some events I have been to year on year, quarter to quarter, and that is how I have reminded myself of principles and things I want to achieve in my life. Network with people and expand your perspective in life. Click here for an article on effective tips for networking.

 

5. Identify your Mentor

“The right mentor will change your life…” Let me make something clear, in most cases forced mentorship does not work! It needs to be a natural process and usually, this works through association, networking, or with the recognition that you have qualities of ambition aligned to that mentor’s expertise. A mentor naturally does the following:

• Advises
• Consults
• Asks Effective Questions
• Listen Actively
• Has experience
• Knowledgeable
• Has great emotional intelligence

You can identify a mentor at work, places of worship, online, friends and family. Usually, this person has achieved something that you aspire towards, so there usually is a noticeable gap in your achievements. They are not necessarily older, just more qualified as an experiential expert. Throughout time you may have many mentors, however, the trick is identifying them, sticking with them, and providing value in some form as your relationship flourishes. Note: value could be as small as being a mentee, mentors usually love to teach where the opportunity arises.

 

 

6. Follow influencers online

The internet was born in 1991 and it has given us the opportunity to find the information we may not have ever found before. I urge you to actively follow influencers online who provide value towards educating you about your desired niche. This will keep you in the loop of industry changes, themes and information that the general public may not be privy too. The best way to do this is to subscribe to influencers via YouTube. This way you can have daily, weekly or bi-weekly updates on industry news and information. Their lifestyle or results will inspire you to take the right consolidated actions to move closer and closer towards your own personal goals.

 

7. Read the right books

Books will change your life! When I began my journey towards self-development, I was not interested in reading at all and had to force myself to read. My first ever serious read was the Alchemist, by the Paulo Coehlo; it completely changed the outset of my thinking. I thought to myself, if this book can make me think and feel positively, I wonder what else is out there. Since then over the past 6 years, I have read just about 200 books! Pretty impressive for someone who didn’t like reading. Books will clarify your thinking as it is organised information and channeled. When you read the right books, you take the right actions. If you don’t like reading, listen to audiobooks on your phone. I can’t believe in the 21st Century people still don’t know that this is possible and don’t know how to do it on their phone! Check out this article to find out how

 

 

8. Filter your social media

Social Media has psychologically distorted the way we think about ourselves and the world. It has been shown that your social media feed shows you what you are more inclined to engage with. Makes sense right? Well, it makes even more sense to only follow or at least view accounts that display things aligned to what you like. My feed is full of stuff that is motivational, entrepreneurial, and cultural. I decide what I want to see, it does not dictate me; I suggest you do the same. Declutter or not view accounts and information you don’t want to see on your feed, follow accounts you do want to see. That way it makes life easier to handle when on your platform.

 

9. Listen to Great Music

Think of music that you love… Makes you feel good right?! Me too! It may appear irresponsible for people to listen to the words of music and focus on the beat and rhythm, but to be honest with you if it puts you in a hyped and motivated state, your winning. This has been proven to work in the gym, studying and other endeavours that people embark on. The best music is music from your childhood, then gets you in the mood, or of your culture! Develop a fun, colourful and excited playlist that will get you in the mood to do anything. Play it at times when you are ready to WORK!

 

10. Exercise and Eat Well!

Everybody wants to exercise but nobody wants to commit! Exercise is a great way to develop transferable qualities required to be disciplined and focused. It also shares the benefits of making you look and feel awesome too. In fact, the secret benefits of exercise lie in the fact that it makes you feel awesome after a workout and overtime. Here are some things to remember:

• Exercise is not a complete substitute for looking and feeling good, eat right too:
  • Focus on Wholegrain foods
  • Avoid White/Bleached foods
  • Have more vegetables on your plate like Broccoli
  • Avoid processed meats
  • Drink a lot of water
  • Get creative with your eating
• It is also important to make sure that you stick to a routine and follow it through! Find or pay for routines online and stick with them until…
• Exercise should not be a chore, it should be something you end up loving to do
• If you want to, find and exercise with a serious buddy who can push you, and is either on your level or slightly higher than you!

 

 

And that’s it, 10 super effective ways to stay motivated!! Why not check out 100 other ways to stay motivated via this link. I hope you have found value in this article, especially as they are not the most conventional ways the common person employs. Follow through with these ideas properly and I promise, you will be more motivated to take action!

To further develop your understanding of these principles check out my self-published book Understand Reach Expand: 15 Super Effective ways to Manage your Mind out now on Amazon via Kindle and Paperback.

If you want more check out my FREE video series, 5 Models for Success Mastery!

 

Take care and have a fantastic day,

 

Michael