Happy 2016! Obviously with the new year come the New Year’s Resolutions. Every year we set out to achieve goals and every year we try our hardest to stay on track for as long as we can. To make the victory a little easier, we’ve compiled our most effective ways to stay motivated so you can achieve your dreams and change your life. Which ones do you already do?
1. After figuring out WHAT you want to accomplish, you’ve got to find your WHY’s.
Why ask “why”? Because your WHY is the soul driving force behind achieving your goals. Your WHY is what will keep you focused and motivated, even on the darkest of days. For example, if your goal is to lose weight and get in shape, then perhaps your WHY is because you want to be able to wear your favorite jeans again and feel comfortable in your own skin. Or maybe, your WHY is because you have serious health issues and by losing weight you’ll be able to overcome them.
2. Strategize your game plan.
While figuring out (and writing down) your WHYs is where you start, in order to actually achieve your goals you need to map out a strategic plan of attack. So sticking with the losing weight scenario, your game plan might be to get a specific workout program, carve out a time each day to do it, find an accountability partner, and overhaul your diet with the help of a Beachbody Coach or a nutritionist. But remember, no matter how mapped out your plan might be, things happen in life that are beyond your control, which means you’ve got to be open to tweaking your plan if need be.
3. Set weekly goals and visualize the outcome.
While we encourage everyone to dream big and make great things happen, the one thing you’ve got to remember is that change takes time. Instead of going for the giant goal immediately, break it down into smaller weekly goals that are realistically achievable. Losing 50 pounds sounds daunting. Losing 2 pounds per week does not. This isn’t an excuse to do the bare minimum–it’s a way to keep yourself motivated for the whole year. If you achieve something every week, it’s also going to make you work that much harder the next week.
4. Watch motivational movies and read inspiring articles.
We all need that extra punch in the gut sometimes to keep us on track. And there’s no better way to do that than watching a motivational movie of someone who beat all odds to achieve their dreams. Or, bust out motivational books and read a few pages a night, or even download a handful of inspiring articles that are quick reads throughout the day. Keep quotes that resonate with you in sight when you feel like you’re coming to a tough point in your journey.
5. Reward yourself when you reach your weekly goals.
Weekly rewards are nice little incentives that help you push past the burn so you can achieve your big goal. So if losing weight and getting in shape is your goal, don’t grab a pint of Ben and Jerry’s, but you can still have something sweet that won’t sabotage your goals – like this healthy ice cream. Or, treat yourself to some new iTunes music downloads or to a new bag of gym socks. And at the end of the month, splurge and reward yourself with a new workout top or pair of tennis shoes.
6. Take breaks when you’re feeling burned out.
Sometimes, life simply gets in the way of living and you feel as if you have NO TIME for anything—including doing what it takes to reach your goals. So instead of making excuses of why you didn’t do it, or wasting time complaining…TAKE A BREAK! Give yourself a set number of “rest days” so you can mentally and physically recuperate. But whatever you do, don’t take a permanent hiatus. The best way to help you from meandering away from reaching your goals is to ask a friend to hold you accountable, or even put a “restart” date in your calendar.
7. Don’t beat yourself up for a missed goal—it happens.
There are times when you follow your plan to a T, yet the anticipated outcome doesn’t end up happening. But that’s okay! Really, it is. Things happen. Instead of getting angry and feeling like a failure, simply write down what you could have differently (if anything) and pledge to make up for it during the upcoming weeks.
8. Need help? ASK!
And the biggest boo-boo so many of us make when we set out to achieve something is thinking that you can do whatever it is all on your own. Sure, no one but you can blast the fat off your bod, but there are things in life that others can help you with that would make it a lot easier for you to get a workout in. Maybe you ask for help with house chores or childcare, which will free up your time to work out. Or maybe you ask a friend or loved one to take the junk food out of your hand when they see you about to scarf it down. Whatever it is you need help with, JUST ASK! The worst thing that can happen is the person says no, which then you move on to someone else who will say yes.