What to do when losing motivation?

Through some phases in our lives we meet some challenges, past situations that still hunt us and there are times things didn't go as expected and from there we lose our motivation either to start something new or to continue pursuing our goals. Losing motivation is a normal feeling however this doesn't mean that we have to dwell too much of it to the point that we will discontinue what we are trying to set for ourselves.

Here are some practical tips on what to do when you feel you are losing on motivation to move forward.

1. To be aware and understand your whys. 

This is about getting back to your true purpose of why you create a goal to yourself. You also have to ask for whom are you doing this for, for example you need to go to abroad for you to give your children a good life. Regardless of the hardships you are facing you have the resilience to work hard and have focus because of the children in mind.

2. Seeing the bigger picture and the long-term effects of your decision. 

Sometimes before we lose our motivation, we get distracted first by some detours or challenges to which we lose our focus and later on decreases our motivation to continue doing our goals however when you see the bigger picture and its long-term significance, you will clearly see the benefits of your goal or what will happened when you stop. By reflecting on these matters will help us continue with our goals and priorities even if we are facing challenges or any diversion towards it.

3. Take things one at a time. 

There are some instances that too many goals we set for ourselves we become too overwhelmed that would make us lose our focus towards our goals this is why doing things one thing at a time will help us return our balance and grounded. Doing simple and small tasks also helps us gain some efficiency with our work than we allow multi-tasking but later on we felt all over the place with nothing hasn't being done properly.

4. Take your time. 

We are not talking about procrastination, but it is all about your readiness because when you are ready that's the time where your mind can absorb more information and productive. There is this saying that " Slow success builds character, fast success builds ego" and this actually true because in today's world we are more into instant gratification and we want fast results towards our goals however if the process towards it is half baked, not fully established or rushed whatever we are working on, it compromises good quality, and its effectiveness is short lived.

5. Keep on moving even if you are in a low mood. 

There are times, we have our days that we have no energy or mood to do our chores and even continue doing our cherished goals and it is normal however if we dwell too much of this low mood, it will sink us down however if we keep on moving it somehow starts to feel better. It is advisable that when we are in this state have a few minutes of walk in the park, nature, do errands or have a stroll at malls. If you are at home, a simple house chore such as floor sweeping would also help us regain our energy and while we are active, we suddenly boost our creativity or intellect that would support our goals.

6. Use SMART method.

Setting realistic goals using SMART method which stands for S - Specific, M - Measurable, A - Attainable, R - Realistic and lastly T - for Time bound. This method commonly used in health care settings and other professional fields that requires a timeline and result driven on some specific tasks in dealing with clients. If we applied this on pursuing our goals and it would help us get that direction and focus because we can evaluate our goals logically based on the criteria that we set in. When we see our progress, it indicates that we are on the right track and thus increases our motivation.

7. Eliminating what is not essential and setting routines and habits that will anchor your goals. 

We have to identify first what distracts us and those people, old habits or situations that drain our energy and from there if we wanted to change, we set up new routines and habits that support our goals. We can track our progress and effectiveness on weekly, monthly or yearly basis. It is important that your newly formed habits are deeply sink into your system.

8. Developing self - compassion and patience. 

When we lose our motivation, we become too hard on ourselves and become impatient because we wanted immediately results but when the situation becomes out of control, we lose our motivation and another thing that cause misunderstandings and ruining of relationships. We have to accept that there are some things that would require time and we can't control people in our lives, but we can control our emotions and actions. By practicing self - compassion and patience, we are able to process things calmly.

9. Seeking the company of trusted people and your support system.

When you feel that you are in low motivation, seek the company of people whom you can trusted and in good influence and character either it is a family member, friends or seek professional help from counselor or mental help professional where you can express yourself and what stresses you without being judged and providing insights that would help you think back at your own feet.

10. Another way to help us boosts our motivation is to look for inspiration from those people who have already reached the top. 

It could be our favorite celebrities, other public figures, rock stars, musicians, influencers, entrepreneurs, mentors & others because their stories would give the resilience that we need especially when we see them continue to pursue their goals and their creativity despite a lot of hardships and obstacles they encountered. We have to see, what makes them so passionate with their craft and what makes them continue doing it. We also need to see if these people give us the positive impact that would help us change for better. If they are down to Earth, humble, remain on low profile and living a simple life, recognizes God and being respectful and kind to others then we are on the right track.

11. Practicing spirituality. 

This approach can be difficult to understand by those doesn't believe on God and Supreme being from different faiths however for those who practice it in a form of prayer, singing or meditation it somehow decreases their stress and it also help us regain their motivation and purpose on continuing their goals or develop a new path that aligned to God's will.

Now that you're equipped with these strategies, it's time to take action. Select one or two tips that resonate most with you and start implementing them today. Remember, progress over perfection. Celebrate your small wins and watch your motivation snowball as you move closer to achieving your goals.

Have you ever overcome a dip in motivation? 

Share your experiences and tips in the comments section! Your story could be the spark that ignites someone else's fire.