"Letters to YOU" Re: How do I motivate myself?

Dear You,

My latest workshop is on New Year's Resolutions. We all know how easy it is to set a goal and how hard it is to take action. If you are not motivated enough to do something, then I suggest you do an exercise on values elicitation (there is a lot of info available on the internet RE: values elicitation OR ask me and I will email you a copy of the exercise which I use with my clients). When you get your 10 top values (e.g. health, love, friend, honesty etc), set at least 1 GOAL for each thing you value in life. That is the trick - goals you set have to be congruent with your values. If your top value is health and your goal is to maintain healthy lifestyle through starting gym & other classes, then the chances that you will take actions are very high. That's your starting point - prioritise your values!! Here are tips on maintaining motivation.

MAINTAINING MOTIVATION - TIPS

1. Set specific concrete goal (aim, target, achievement) stated in POSITIVE TERMS (e.g. Instead of saying “I want to lose weight”, say “I want to weigh 8.5 stone”). This guideline will lead you in the right direction.

2. Future results should evoke STRONG POSITIVE EMOTIONS. What are the reasons for wanting to do what you're going? (write down all the possible reasons). Find your TRUE intention. What is more important than the goal corresponding with your core values? The stronger the link between your core values and goals, the stronger motivation will be.

3. Each step you take brings you closer to your goal. And it's great! Success of achieving your big goal is directly linked to the success of small actions you take on a daily basis. You have achieved something today - so there is reason to rejoice. You have made an effort - you got result and it's good.

4. Break down your big goal into a number of small goals (I.e. list of actions). This strategy will allow you to begin ACTING today rather than postpone it indefinitely. The division of the work into separate parts makes it possible to identify the necessary DAILY EFFORTS. In addition, regular work creates a certain rhythm of activity. This rhythm, or rather compliance with it, starts to act as an INDEPENDENT MOTIVATING FORCE for the continuation of activities.

5. Give yourself feedback on a daily basis. We are talking about the ability to perceive the results your daily actions, the ability to see, hear and feel everything that happens to us and around us. Unfortunately, people often ignore feedback and fail to achieve big goals.

6. Compare your today’s results to yesterday’s results. Such mechanism of comparison allows us to emphasize progress toward the goal. Even if you make today - it's just a painted line or a single brick, laid in the wall of a future home. Any step toward the goal associated with positive experiences. It is important not to drown, and enhance those experiences. NEVER compare the result of today’s action to your ultimate goal. Your today’s achievement will seem small comparing to your big goal. However, remember that this small action you took, brought you closer to your ultimate goal.

Each step you take brings you closer to success! Everything that is written above, cannot give you the motivation, but it will help you understand that motivation is already there!

Be healthy, happy and wealthy….& remember: "Do not wait to strike until the iron is hot, but make it hot by striking"

Always by your side,

Tatiana