Motivation Monday

Sometimes we all need a little jump start.  Whether we’re itching to pursue the dreams we’ve held in our heart since childhood or we simply need the willingness to tackle mundane chores, we can often find ourselves mired in a rut of inertia and feel like it’s the most difficult task to rise out of it. So every Monday, I’ll be passing on helpful tips and techniques designed to give you the boost you need to START!

Just begin

It’s the start of any objective that is often the hardest for most of us, because we convince ourselves the task will be unpleasant or boring. However, you can trick yourself into believing that you’re only going to work on it for a few minutes. Grab that egg timer and set it for 15 minutes again. Promise yourself you can stop working after 15 minutes if you want to, but you have to work at least that long. Most often, after the 15 minutes are up, you’re already “in the groove” so you don’t want to stop!

Dress to the nines

We often equate casual dress with more relaxed activities, so if you’re trying to accomplish something – dress up! Put on a business suit or somewhat formal outfit, including shoes and socks (or pantyhose). Style your hair, shave, and put on cologne or perfume – whatever you would normally do for a social or business event. This gets your mind into action mode and clears away any tendency to slack off.

S-t-r-e-t-c-h

If you feel tense and irritable, stretching your body can do wonders for your mood. Take just a few minutes to warm up your muscles by marching in place or taking a short walk. Then take your time stretching your muscles very gently, holding each stretch for a few seconds. Start with your face and neck, and work your way down to your toes. As you work each area, imagine all stress and tension leaving your body, and a new sense of peace and happiness flowing in to replace it.

Surround yourself with inspiration

Do you have some favorite plaques, prints or paintings that make you feel inspired? Fill up your blank walls with them! Visit a flea market or home décor store for visuals that lift your spirits. Go to a stock photo site and download a few beautiful images and have them blown up into a larger size at your local photo place. Take some of your favorite motivational quotes, enlarge the type, print and hang them up to read whenever you need a little boost. Hanging inspiring words and images in your home and workplace can create a continuous focus on inspiration that will keep you feeling motivated no matter what you’re working on.

Wear a symbol of intention

Go through your belongings and choose an item that you can wear as a motivation symbol (or go shopping and buy something new). It could be anything from a lucky shirt to a favorite hat, to a cherished piece of jewelry that you rarely wear. Hold a little ceremony that designates that item as your “motivation symbol.” State aloud that while you are wearing this item, you will always feel very motivated, very inspired, and very productive. Then be sure to put it on every time you feel in need of some motivation. Eventually your mind will make a connection between that item and the feelings of motivation and you’ll be able to effortlessly slip into a motivated mind-set just by putting on your motivation symbol.