Procrastinating, that is something that I am fantastic at. But there often comes a time when you just have to get on with it. How do we get ourselves to just get on with it and make it happen when we really can't be bothered? In other words, re-motivate ourselves?

How do you get motivated when you really aren't feeling it? Motivation is definitely something that comes and goes for me. Some days there is no stopping me, I am productive, active, focused and driven; and others I can barely scrape myself off the sofa long enough to grab a chocolate bar and shove it in my face. It is these days that this article is aimed at. How to get re-motivated when all your motivation has gone.

Let's start by thinking about what motivation is and what it isn't. I think of motivation as an energy or drive. It is what makes us get things done and work hard on projects that we don't necessarily enjoy. People who are motivated are often people who have a strong desire or need to achieve their goals. Being motivated doesn't mean that you always enjoy what you are doing, but it does mean that you are focused and determined to succeed. Sounds great, is it something that you are lacking at this precise moment? Yes, well, let's see if we can make motivation come where there is none. Here are my tips for trying to get motivation to show up.

• Think small steps. There is no way I will want to move if I think that the task is mammoth and never-ending. My philosophy on a day like this will be "why bother starting?" You need to trick yourself into starting. Say things to yourself like "it won't take long" and "I'll enjoy lounging so much more when I've done this". If the task is too big, the sofa will be too appealing to leave. Think small and then once up and moving/doing, things will probably feel easier and more achievable.
• Visualise having finished the task. Doesn't it feel good? Yes it does. OK now do it!
• Use positive self talk. Think about what you are telling yourself that is stopping you doing things. Now make it positive. What we tell ourselves in our heads affects how we feel about ourselves and how we behave. If we say things like "I'm never going to get that job done" or "I can't do it", these statements are debilitating and counter-productive. By changing these statements to positives like "It's easy peasy" or "I can do it". These simple changes in self-talk will change the way we behave and how we present ourselves. Remember this does not mean be arrogant, there is a major difference.
• Rewards! Very important, for me anyway. Sometimes I reward myself with a book, a dessert, a DVD or even a bath. I don't do big rewards because I can't really afford it, but I use small things to try and get me through. e.g. if I hoover the house, I'll go and get myself a fancy smoothie or if I don't smoke all week, I'll buy myself a play I want to read. Things like that.
• Try and do it NOW! The sooner you get the job done, the better you will feel and the sooner you can relax.
• Think back to when you were motivated and why you were. Try and recreate that. What is different about how you felt then and now. How can you change things to bring back the old you?
• Stick to a plan. Pretty self- explanatory.
• Write down your goals and objectives. Tick off all that you get done, this makes things happen and it feels great ticking things off a list or drawing a big line through things.
• Make sure your goals or objectives are SMART. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound.
• Think of ways to try and make the task fun. Be creative, how many ways can this be done? How could you do it differently?
• Who can help you? Use people, ask questions, get help. This a great tip (even if I do say so myself). I am a great believer in using people as resources.
• Celebrate and evaluate success. What worked and why? What could you have done better? Evaluation and reflection are crucial for development and change.

Now go get 'em tiger. Don't let anything hold you back. You are the master of your own destiny. You are the key to your future. Go on do it. What are you still reading for? Get out of here. Do all those things that you've been meaning to. Stop reading this, I've given you all the tips I can. Scram! Stop reading, start doing! SCRAM!!

If that isn't enough here are some motivational quotes that might help you out.

Some useful questions to try and get your motivational juices flowing:

What do I want to be doing in one hour/ six months/ a year/ five years?

What do I have to do to achieve this goal/ get this job done?

How happy am I with my life, on a scale of 1-10 (1 being very unhappy, 10 being very happy)?

Who do I know that is living a life similar to the life I want?

• What are they doing?
• What does a typical day look like for them?
• How am I different to them?

What advice would I give a friend who was in my situation (all too often we are good at giving advice and don't always follow our own)?

What needs to go?

What are the obstacles that will stop me achieving my goals (then annihilate them)?