You make goals… but then you procrastinate. You write a to-do list… but then you don’t follow through. And this happens again and again and again.
Why are we so good at thinking of what to do but so terrible at actually doing those things?
Truth is, it’s much easier to set goals than to actually get them done. It all comes down to motivation. Motivation is what pushes us to achieve our goals, feel more fulfilled and improve the overall quality of our life.
Self-motivation is, in its simplest form, the force that drives you to do things. It requires energy, concentration and intention.
We spoke to top leaders at QNET from all over the world, and asked them what they do when things don’t always go the way they planned or when they feel like giving up. Based on the feedback we put together these tried and tested hacks for when you are in dire need of motivation.
1. Go back to your WHY.
You need a purpose behind everything that you do. Without a purpose or a compelling reason to do something, you simply won’t feel motivated to do it. If you’re struggling with motivation, it’s a good time to remind yourself why you started on this journey.
A great way to do this is by asking yourself these questions.
- What is my goal and more importantly, why do I want it?
- What will be the consequences in my life if I don’t achieve this goal?
- What will my life be like in 1 year, 5 years, or 10 years if I don’t achieve this and stay where I’m at right now?
- Am I willing to continue living this way?
- What are the benefits and rewards that I will experience by achieving this goal?
- How will my life improve for the better?
Go a step further and write down the answers so that they serve as a reminder the next time you need it.
2. Start Small
Having lofty goals is tough. You take one look at a book that’s seven volumes long and you don’t want to read it. Instead, break it up.
If your ultimate goal is to lose excess weight, instead of setting a big goal such as “I want to lose 20 kilos, ” which can feel overwhelming, break it down into smaller goals such as – “I want to lose 1 kilo this week’ or “I want to work out 3 times this week”. These will warrant similar results but are easier on the mind.
Sometimes you find more motivation when you stop focusing on the final destination and start enjoying the journey. Paying too much attention to the end goal produces stress and anxiety that wears you down with time, but when you start accomplishing the smaller goals, you fall in love with the process itself, and that can revitalise you.
3. Tune into an Inspirational Playlist
Music is an amazing thing. The right combination of inspiring lyrics, and up-tempo music can give you a kick in the backside and provide a quick pick-me-up to motivate you to accomplish your goals. Music has the power the influence your mood. Pick songs that make you feel happy, that remind you of good times. Songs that get your feet tapping, and make you want to dance are great too! Some songs can help you remember to appreciate the beauty of the world that we live in and provide that little lift that we occasionally need.
Do you remember this popular song by Journey – ‘Don’t stop believin’. Hold on to the feelin‘? It’s a great song to listen to when you want to remind yourself of the time when you started something new. Remember, how it felt back then? How excited you were about this new beginning? Go back to that feeling and strive to reinvent it.
Some inspiring Bollywood songs we love:
- “Chak De India”– Chak De! India
- “Chale Chalo”- Lagaan
- “Yun Hi Chala Chal” – Swades
4. Watch Motivational Speeches
When you’ve got a deadline looming, a big presentation to make, or a team training to attend, taking a brain vacation isn’t really an option. Those are times you can’t afford to stay on the couch and vegetate. One of the tricks successful entrepreneurs use to get their head back in the game is to watch motivational speeches. Some speeches are so powerful they can help you get back in the right mindset to tackle any challenge.
There are tons of them available online. Some that are popular with QNet leaders are:
- J.K. Rowling: “The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination” (2008)
- Steve Jobs: “How to Live Before You Die” (2005)
- Al Pacino: “Inch by Inch” (1999)
Read: When Mr.India Anil Kapoor Surprised QNET in Malaysia
5. Go Outdoors
There’s something inherently healing about spending time outdoors. Part of it has to do with exposure to natural light. The other important contributor is movement. Getting your body moving is a good way to start feeling better.
One of the most underrated motivational tricks is just taking a walk. Walking is a great exercise in itself, and studies have found that getting outside can increase your sense of enthusiasm and energy. Spending time outdoors makes you healthier, with benefits ranging from increasing your Vitamin D intake and reducing stress to increasing brain function.
