Where is my Motivation? Author: Grace Adams, CIT

As you begin reading, indulge me stop to think about the next task you have to get done. Now, take a moment and examine how you feel about getting it done. What's your attitude like? How long have you been trying to complete it?

And now, let's be honest here, how motivated do you feel right now to complete that task or do the next thing?

If you're like me, finding the motivation can be a challenge. It can either feel like a heavy weight, or like a little bug that continues to buzz around your face and just won't go away. Both are distracting and burdensome and can keep us from moving forward. We all could use an extra boost of motivation.

One of the fascinating things I have learned about motivation is how being motivated is our choice. It is my decision to reach my goals, finish a task, or do that next thing.

Who else didn't want to hear that?

Well, let me share again, it's our choice. We have that control.

With that being said, let's look at some ways to increase our motivation. I find that if I pick two or three from the list below, it can help move that motivation needle.

-STAY POSITIVE and focus on the benefits of completing a task or reaching a goal. When we are feeling down or unmotivated, we can remind ourselves of the benefits of achieving goals. What good will come from completing that task? This will help us to stay focused and motivated.

-TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF and your health. Are we eating a balanced diet, getting proper amounts of sleep, moving our bodies physically, allowing our brain space to be creative by limiting our screen time?

-FIND ACCOUNTABILITY whether it comes from having someone else help hold us accountable or using some sort of other tool such as journaling, check lists, or goal setting.

-REWARD and work to spend time or plan a hike, a meal, or an outing with someone we genuinely enjoy.

-BREAK DOWN the larger goals into smaller ones. This way, the large ones don't seem so overwhelming, and before we know it, we are on the way to reach our goal.

And lastly.

-WRITE DOWN 5 THINGS YOU ARE THANKFUL FOR EACH DAY.

Gratitude is one of the best habits to practice when are mentally or physically down. A saying that has been passed along to me is how all things work together for good. To know there is a bigger picture then the snapshot I am experiencing at the moment, helps me to be even be grateful in midst of struggle because I realize that I can grow and benefit in the end. So, what right now, are you grateful for?

From the TV show, Ted Lasso, Coach Lasso once encouraged his team by saying, "for me, success is not about wins or losses. It's about helping these young fellas be the best versions of themselves on and off the field." Life can feel challenging when we feel like we aren't "winning" or being "successful", however, be encouraged, because at the end of the day, it's not about the win, it's about the heart and the intention. With that mindset, we can always win.

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Remember, motivation is a choice. We can choose to be motivated or we can choose to be discouraged. The choice is ours.

Some inspiring quotes to leave you with...

• "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." - Eleanor Roosevelt

• "The only thing that is impossible is the thing you don't try." - George Bernard Shaw

• "The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today." - Franklin D. Roosevelt

• "The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle." - Steve Jobs

• "The only thing that stands between you and your dream is the will to try and the belief that it is actually possible." - Joel Brown