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Getting Motivated and Staying Motivated

Getting motivated is often a huge obstacle in our day-to-day lives. If we are focused, we can often get a lot accomplished in a short amount of time. However, getting motivated to actually do those things can pose a problem.

How Do I Get Motivated?
Often times, the hardest part of getting motivated is knowing where to start. On those days when nothing seems to go right, it's easy to feel as though you will never accomplish everything that you need to get done. Unfortunately, this defeatist feeling can make getting started even harder. If you find yourself having trouble getting motivated, make a plan by writing down a list of the things you need to accomplish in order of their priority. Making a list is one of the most important things you can do to stay motivated.

Your list should contain all of the items you want to accomplish, as well as the time frame by which you need to get them done. The best lists include tasks you want to accomplish for your home, job, family and other personal relationships. Being comprehensive will help to give you perspective on the most important places to invest your time.

Remember to include things that you want to do, not just things that you have to do. By including things that you enjoy, you can help keep yourself motivated to accomplish those goals that are less fun.

Steps for Staying Motivated
After you have developed the list of things that you want to accomplish, set realistic goals for yourself. Decide how many things you can get done in a specific time period. Being realistic when deciding how much you can accomplish helps you reach your goals and stay motivated.

When you reach a goal, give yourself a small treat. Rewarding yourself for completing a task is a key component of staying motivated. Sometimes the reward at the end will be what you need to get the job done!

How to Stay Self-Motivated
There are some easy ways to stay on the right track when it comes to getting motivated. Follow these tips for self-motivation:

• Talk to your friends and family about your goals.
• Make sure you have a support system that knows what you are hoping to accomplish and how you plan on doing it. 
• Have people who will check up on you and get you into motion if you lose motivation. Knowing there are people supporting you is always helpful when you are trying to stay motivated.

Keep Track to Stay Motivated
Keeping track of your progress is a key component of self-motivation. One of the easiest ways to note your progress is to keep a journal or a list of things that you have done so you can see how far you have come and how much you have accomplished.