Did you know that motivated people are more engaged in their work?

That’s why motivation is the key to accomplishing our goals, as it is the thing that drives you to be productive. However, staying motivated is not always easy, as you might often lose hope when things don’t work out as planned, or get distracted by other activities. 

So how can you avoid getting discouraged or distracted?

Check out these tips and learn how to accomplish your goals and stay motivated throughout the process:

1. Find your ‘why’

The ‘why’ represents the real motivation behind your actions. It is the reason why you want certain things or why you act a certain way. For example, your goal might be to work out more. Most probably, you have a deeper reason for wanting to do this than the sole pleasure of working out. You probably want to be healthier, or become more fit—that is your ‘why’. 

Finding your ‘why’ is essential for staying motivated, as reminding yourself of the real reason why you want to pursue certain goals will help you keep going whenever you feel stuck. Therefore, whenever you set a new goal, write a list of concrete reasons why you want to achieve that goal and describe how it will improve the quality of your life.

2. Write short-term goals

Studies show that people who set goals are ten times more successful than those who don’t. However, setting yearly goals it’s not enough to keep you motivated. What I recommend you is to set short-term goals.

You can begin by setting monthly goals. At the beginning of each month, write concrete details about what you want to achieve and figure out your priorities for that month. Then, at the end of the month, evaluate your progress. Reward yourself for the tasks you managed to achieve and see what you could have done better in the other areas. By tracking your progress and achieving short-term goals, you will feel more motivated to work towards your bigger, long-term goals.

3. Create a daily routine

Setting daily tasks will get you into the habit of being productive and working towards achieving your goals. Plus, it will help you stay organized.

Therefore, create a list of activities that need to be done on a daily or weekly basis and start treating these tasks as priorities. For example, if your goal is to read more books, you can start by reading for half an hour every morning. If you manage to stick to your routine, the activities you do on a regular basis will soon become habits and it will be much easier for you to naturally work towards achieving your goals.

4. Use rewards

Rewarding yourself every time you accomplish some of your tasks is a great way to stay motivated. In fact, research shows that our brains release dopamine when we expect a reward, making us feel more motivated to pursue certain actions.

You don’t need to use big rewards. Instead, keep it simple and use small things that make you happy. For example, the reward can consist of a snack, an hour spent watching your favorite show or going out for dinner. Think of the reward in advance, so that you have something to look forward to while accomplishing your tasks. 

5. Avoid distractions

Distractions are everywhere and it’s very easy to lose focus. They not only decrease your productivity, but they also make you lose motivation.

In order to be productive, you need to learn how to avoid distractions when working on a task. This way, you will be able to accomplish your tasks more efficiently and rapidly. Therefore, turn off the TV, set your phone to silent mode, and focus on one task at a time. Also, create a schedule and try to stick to it. Establish clear times for work and breaks.

6. Make it fun

When working towards your goals, attitude is everything. To keep motivated, you need to also keep positive. Therefore, it’s important to find something enjoyable in all your tasks. 

Ask yourself the following questions:

• How can I make this task fun?
• What am I looking forward to?
• What do I like about this task?

By answering these questions, you will be able to set a positive mindset and make the experience more enjoyable. Not only will you feel more motivated, but you will also be more productive. Also, in time, you will get used to seeing the positive aspects of all of your actions.

Final thoughts

I hope these tips will help you get and stay motivated while working on your goals. Experiment with different techniques and find out what works best for you. Also, remember that your attitude is essential, so try to keep positive along the way. 

What keeps you motivated? Let me know in the comments below!