Tip Number 1: Keep a gratitude journal.
If Oprah herself does this, then surely everyone has the propensity to benefit from it as well? For each day, try to think of as many things as you can that you are sincerely thankful for.
If you feel that you have absolutely nothing to be thankful about, then you are wrong. You are alive, aren’t you? You can still read this and perhaps take up a pen and write your first post in your thank you journal, can’t you? Then that already gives you three reasons to be thankful about.
Remember: motivation is a matter of perspective. If you cannot see it from one angle, then you probably could in another.
Tip Number 2: Are you tempted to give up? Do (Insert Number Here) more.
When you feel like you have reached the end of your tether, make one last big push by doing 5 more. Or if you are just one step away from giving in to exhaustion or sleep then do just 3 or even just one more!
You may not have completed your schedule for today, but knowing that you gave it your best is enough to give you an energetic and motivated for the next day.
Tip Number 3: Failure is not an option.
Granted, you are not stuck in the moon, flying in Apollo 11, but does it really matter? You just have to imagine yourself in the same back-against-the-wall scenario and that is sure to be motivation enough to work hard.
Earlier, you have learned how it is to get past failure and the importance of not beating yourself up about it. Even so, that does not mean you can get away with never worrying about it.
Tip Number 4: Never say never – unless it is to say you will never quit.
You may change tactics, rest for a while, and redefine your goal but none of those means you are quitting. Never should never be a part of your vocabulary – even if that sounds contradictory; the moment you start entertaining doubts is the moment you start losing.
Tip Number 5: Aim to be better and not perfect.
Aiming to be perfect is like aiming for the moon. You will never be able to reach for it with your hands. But what you can do is to improve yourself and make yourself or your situation better.
You may not be able to reach for the moon, but if you were to arm yourself with a telescope, then the moon could get closer to you instead.
Tip Number 6: Hope for the best but prepare for the worst.
Motivation can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it can pierce the clouds of depression and doubts away and especially when your motivation pays off and you succeed in what you are trying to achieve.
But what if you do not get what you want? Motivation can end up hurting you by setting yourself up for a fall. This will happen if you have also not prepared yourself for the worst.
Preparing yourself for the worst just means that you at least have considered the possibility – and taken the necessary steps for dealing with it.
Tip Number 7: Do it – no matter how long it takes.
It is very important that you do not give up on your goal just because your route to success turned out to be longer and more twisted than expected. That is the card life has dealt you so deal with it and – again – move on.
Tip Number 8: Do not allow any source of frustration, problems, or depression get worse. Eliminate it right away.
If there is anything troubling you and making it difficult for you to stay focused and motivated – get rid of it right away. Nip it in the bud and do not wait for it to turn into a full-fledged disaster.
Tip Number 8: Think of all those who did not reach as far as you did.
If you were to crow out loud about your victories, then this would be boasting. But you are not. You are just quietly reflecting on how far you have gone and what you have achieved that others cannot.
Sometimes, a person has a tendency to keep on comparing himself to those he feel is better than he is that he fails to realize how much he himself has done more than the others.
When you realize that, you will see for yourself that accomplishing more than others does not make you better. You just happened to be luckier, perhaps, or more patient. The same goes for those who have done more than you.
Motivation is also a matter of time. You will get your goal – you just have to work hard and keep your eyes on your destination.