How to motivate yourself when you are down - Easy and practical ways to motivate yourself

How to motivate yourself? Fancy self help jargon and complicated advice is one thing that we're definitely going to steer clear of. We will also stay away from vague advice that says Live Life To The Fullest or Don't Give Up. Here are 4 very real, practical and easy ways to motivate yourself every time you are down or just feeling blue. Don't grab your pens or pencils, this is straightforward talk that you will remember even when you don't want to.

1) Watch motivational videos

Motivational videos are often one of the best sources of inspiration and a morale boost. Ask any bodybuilder and they will tell you how many times they've watched Pumping Iron to motivate themselves. Ask any actor and they will tell you how many times they've watched their favorite actor doing one of their favorite scenes over and over again. You get the point, don't you? There are hundreds of thousands of videos on the internet which can stir up a whirlpool of passion within you. Pick one, favorite it and watch it when you are down for an instant blues buster.

Example: Do you play basketball? Well it really does not matter whether you play basketball or not because this video is uber inspirational. It is a short Nike commercial featuring Michael Jordan who speaks about how he repeated failures have led to success. Who would have thought that one of the most successful basketball player of all time had faced failure while doing something he was most successful at. Go find your own motivational juice on YouTube, bookmark it and watch it when you need a kick start.

2) Think about a role model

Whether we consciously acknowledge it or not, we all have role models or people we look up to. We unconsciously strive to be like them, follow their footsteps and admire them for the abilities and success. This role model in your life can be a celebrity, a successful entrepreneur, a family member, a friend or even a manager you admire. When you feel down, motivate yourself by sparing a moment to think about how your role model would cope with a state of mind that you have right now. Think about how they've worked against all odds to be where they are right now.

Example: As important as it is to have a role model in the first place, it is equally crucial that you pick a right role model. Here is a very simple and obvious example – Steve Jobs. He is the man who got kicked out from the company he founded himself. He is the dropout who slept on the floor while selling coke bottles to make a buck, only to go to a local shelter for a free meal. He is the man who was considered to have an eccentric style of management. Despite all the odds, he is the man who has changed our lives forever.

3) Re-focus on your goals

Before we talk about how you can motivate yourself by refocusing on your goals, you must have firm and concrete goals in the first place. Whether it is work, a hobby or personal life, goals are a must. If you don't have any, there is no better time to start setting a few than now. Think of refocusing on your goals as an activity that is going to ring a bell in your head and remind you of the bigger picture. Whenever you are down, you can motivate yourself by thinking about these goals and what you need to do to achieve them. Most importantly, think about how great it will feel once you achieve them. Even the slightest thought of success and the rewards associated with it will get you on your toes in no time.

Example: Refocusing on your goals is really as simple as tearing out a page from your notepad and listing down your goals. Pin this piece of paper up somewhere on your desk or a place in your house where you can spot it again and again.

4) Draw motivation from an inspirational story

We all love to soak up on real life success stories, don't we? It is understandable because we tend to somewhere relate our very own personal experiences, or future ambitions to how the success of a common person has changed his/her life forever. To motivate yourself, simply read up, listen to, or watch an inspirational story about someone who has gone from rags to riches, from nobody to somebody and from a person whose opinion did not matter to a person whose opinion can change many lives. If they can do it, why can't you?

Example: At 47, she was highly unlikely to be the woman who'd bring the world to tears with her voice. In fact, the audience and the judges mockingly smiled and grinned when Susan Boyle first came onto stage for the Britain's Got Talent audition. Everyone laughed when she said "I want to be like Elaine Paige" It was only after she sang I dreamed a dream, she brought the judges, the audience and the entire world to her feet. A stunning performance that changed her life forever. Inspirational story? Indeed.