Achieving motivation and momentum when the distractions of life come at such a rapid pace can be challenging. I know. I’ve been there.
The old adage “slow and steady wins the race” is actually true. The tortoise in the story of the tortoise and the hare won the race not because he was the smartest or fastest. Rather, he won the race due to his laser-focus on the end result and consistent action.
If you struggle to keep momentum and motivation during your own quest to achieve a goal, you’re not alone!
How do you generate momentum?
Even though plateaus, setbacks, and relapses are completely normal when it comes to life-changing goals, there are many things you can do to keep moving forward during the journey.
Try these 6 strategies to build momentum and motivation:
1. Take action daily. This is the single best step you can take in order to further your momentum. Taking action ensures that you’re making progress, no matter how small. Even if you don’t know exactly what action you’ll be taking, just do something, anything, to further yourself.
- For example, if you want to read your bible more consistently, pick a chapter and begin reading for just 5 minutes per day. You may soon find that 5 minutes turns into 30 as you progress.
2. Find motivational nuggets. Take a few minutes each day to read something inspiring, whether it’s motivational quotes or affirmations to keep your confidence going.
- Motivational quotes or stories that inspire you can help direct your mindset away from the daily grind and onto things that are bigger than yourself!
- Write or print out your favorites and post them in key locations as a reminder.
3. Check your progress. If you’re feeling stuck or like you’re not moving forward, review your goal that you’re trying to accomplish. Write down your goals, determine one or two activities you’re taking action on towards it and check in on your progress each day.
- Think positively about how close you are to the goalpost rather than how far you are from it.
4. Talk to another. Find another person who has already achieved goals similar to the ones you’re working on.
- Listen to them. Ask questions. Extract all the wisdom, advice, and helpful tidbits that you can from their story.
Start journaling today and watch your self-development take on a new perspective.
Get started with your journal today. It’s an activity that has little to no cost but provides numerous benefits. You’ll see your clarity increase and have a much better sense of just how much progress you really are making in your life.
5. Plan your week. Scheduling time to work on things related to your goals is critical. We use schedules for everything else in our lives, so there’s no reason that time devoted to working on personal goals cannot be included as well.
6. Reward yourself. Small rewards have been shown to motivate everyone from kids to older adults. Rewards act as positive reinforcement and affirmation of a job well done.
- When we’re being rewarded, we tend to continue pressing on towards our goals.
- Set up rewards for different stages and milestones.
These 6 strategies to build momentum and motivation can be done on a regular basis to keep moving towards progress, not perfection.
The key word is “progress.” If we’re taking some action or doing even just one thing on a daily basis that furthers us along in our goals, we’ll feel better about ourselves and be able to keep that momentum.
Other things that can be done on a regular basis to keep momentum and motivation alive are to write in a journal, listen to inspiring talks, join a support group related to our goals, engage the support of a coach, spend a few minutes in quiet meditation on our life’s purpose, or even posting daily reminders.
The more alive that we can make our goals, the more inspired and motivated we’ll be to take action and achieve them.