How to Stay Motivated Until You Get What You Want

And somehow you knew how to stay motivated...

Goals are mysterious things - they spring into our minds motivating us to succeed, fuel fires of fantasy about success and new found happiness, initiate an almost manic effort to move our lives forward, and then - suddenly the fire goes out.

What once motivated you to succeed, drove you to get up early and work late, now weighs in your mind as a failure in the wings.

Don't despair.

The aftermath of the best intentions often feels like failure, but a few simple questions to yourself every day will provide the motivation to carry you through until your goal's completion.

Step 1: Repeat goal aloud.

Repeat it again. And again. Simple statements repeated aloud and often can trigger the subconscious into action.

Choose your goal, and pick strong words that inspire you. As you say them aloud, pay attention to what the words mean. If your goal is to practice the bassoon, say aloud "I will practice the bassoon and make beautiful music!" or "I will make my bassoon sing!"

Each statement rephrases the initial goal, but does so in a way that refreshes and revitalizes the initial excitement of your goal.

Step 2: Tell a good friend about your goal.

Talk openly about why you wanted to pursue your goal in the first place, and what you hoped to achieve.

Talking with someone about possible outcomes and the steps along the way can make the goal more realistic in your mind.

Each time you talk to someone, the goal becomes less a secret desire, and more a route you have chosen that your friends can encourage you on.

Step 3: Even if you don't feel like it, do it anyways!

There are mornings we all loathe getting out of bed, but hitting snooze once more will not get the paperwork done any earlier, finish our paper route, or see us to success.

Feelings are not facts, but they can catch up to the facts in time - doing what you know you ought will eventually bring you a feeling of satisfaction as well as of relief.

Step 4: Reward Yourself!

When you complete a step in your overall plan, reward yourself. Little rewards along the way can make the overall job seem more attainable.

Rewards do not have to be overly expensive to provide a boost. Allow yourself a night off if you make three cold calls, or give yourself a manicure once you have completed your thank-you card list.

The goal is important, but the path you take can be where the fun is. As you think about what arena of life you wish to succeed in, remind yourself how capable you are.

Goals are meant to stretch us and push into places we would not ordinarily go. Let the journey help you grow as a person.

Recognize that, although you will not always feel the same level of motivation, an unwavering commitment can make all the difference and you can stay motivated to succeed.

Peter Murphy is a peak performance expert. He recently produced a very popular free report that reveals how to crush procrastination and sustain lasting motivation. Apply now because it is available for a limited time only at: http://www.getmotivatedstaymotivated.com /special.htm

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


How To Avoid Being Labelled As Average

When your life is over how will you be graded?... Read More

Five Great Ideas From Aristotle

It was Socrates who said that the purpose of philosophy... Read More

The Day Your Life Will Change for Good!

Many people long for a better life. In fact, I... Read More

Ten Tips to Create More Life for Your Life

When people begin to investigate career change, often they don't... Read More

Walk In The Light

It was a mild October night, weeks after the horrific... Read More

How Much Fight Is In You?

"All the adversity I've had in my life, all my... Read More

Your Biggest Do it Yourself Project

When I meet people and tell them what I do,... Read More

Three Simple Ways to Motivate Yourself Today!

Are you having a hard time getting things done? Are... Read More

What Does Your Future Hold? Do You Have A Plan? Or Are You Just Waiting To See What Happens?

We often find ourselves in a situation in which we... Read More

Finding Yourself: Finding Passion Series - 1 of 3

We have been told that the things we don't like... Read More

Avoid This Tendency And Youll Press Beyond Your Limits!

Inside of every one of us is the desire to... Read More

What Do You Truly Value Most?

Believe it or not, values are in the core of... Read More

Motivation: 7 More Musings on Motivation

1. "If you have faith the size of a mustard... Read More

Three Fs and a Challenge

It's no secret that life is a tricky animal to... Read More

Cure Your Burnout!

Do you ever get those Sunday night blues? Dreading the... Read More

Resistance Is Natural - but Not Helpful - in Times of Change

Here are five feelings we all experience in changing times.... Read More

Five Ways to Stand Out from the Crowd

Some people are content to just to be another face... Read More

Moving Beyond Your Comfort Zone

Many professionals have attained a high level of competence in... Read More

Curing the Blues - 14 Feel-Good Ways to Get Out of the Dumps

Everyone goes through that "in the blues" feeling once in... Read More

Motivation By Consequences

In 2004 seven badly behaved teenagers were sent to a... Read More

Finding Direction: Finding Passion Series - 2 of 3

In order to find the right direction for ourselves, we... Read More

7 Stepping-stones to Career Growth and Excellence

Achieving excellence in our work is an integral part of... Read More

What Gets Your Ass Out Of Bed?

Beep. Beep. Beep. 5:51 am. The alarm is once again... Read More

How Poor Are You!

Do you want to know your poverty graph? You are... Read More

This Emotion Is As Helpful As Ali-Baba And His Forty Thieves!

Are you afraid of your own best ideas? Do you... Read More

Step Out

Living your successful life requires you to step out. I... Read More

A Resolution for Excellence

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not... Read More

Overcoming Procrastination

What are the reasons that YOU procrastinate?Are you a perfectionist?Do... Read More

Are You an Optimist or a Pessimist?

I have been giving some thought lately to optimism and... Read More

Resolution Revolution: 3 Tips For Creating Real Change in the New Year

'Tis the season once again for parties, champagne, noisemakers...and of... Read More

10 Ways to Kick the Procrastination Habit

I recently read about a survey (by the University of... Read More

Discover Your Purpose In Life

Everyone has a life purpose; a unique and special something... Read More

Turn your Dreaming into Doing

The first of January and September, as well as our... Read More