MAke the most of your time
Staying motivated is the topic of today’s blog. Cyndi Shifrel of The Gingerpreneur recently spoke at an I Said Yes! to Networking event and she had some great tips for getting and staying motivated. She found a quote a few months back that really resonated with her. That is to say, “Don’t wait for things to get better. Life will always be complicated. Learn to be happy right now, otherwise you’ll run out of time.” Cyndi’s comment on this quote is, “we will all experience some kind of setback, roadblock or disappointment this year, but we all have the ability to choose how we will respond to it! Don’t sit around waiting for things to get better, be happy where you are right now and make the most of your time!” Cyndi shared her speaker notes with us and we are pleased to share them with you. Read her 12 best practices to focus on staying motivated.
Best Practices To Get Motivated
Take Care Of Yourself
First, take care of yourself. We all know the importance of taking care of ourselves and our health. But many of us neglect to do so. However, we owe it to ourselves to take care of ourselves. Consider this, as business owners and leaders in our industry, how are you going to run your business or lead others effectively if you aren’t taking care of yourself first? When we take the time to take care of ourselves each day, we are going to be more successful. For example, by eating right, exercising and getting enough sleep. Therefore we guarantee ourselves to be in a much better position to stay focused and have the most energy possible. Then we can tackle each day with tenacity.
Get Yourself A Daily Routine And STick To It
Next, if you don’t already have a daily routine I highly encourage you to sit down and make one for yourself. One that you follow consistently each day. There are so many benefits to having a set daily routine. For instance, a daily routine has proven to make you more productive throughout the day. Further, it gives your life structure. In addition, it allows your day to flow better and it gives you laser like focus for when you start your day.
Don't Waste Your Time
We all get to choose exactly how we will use the 24 hours that we are given each day. But we must intentionally take control of our time so we can own It, instead of our time owning us. If you have never taken the time to write down what you do in a day, I highly recommend. It is super helpful and insightful. This exercise is beneficial to see how you spend your time during the workday. Moreover you can see where you might be wasting time. Once you know where you are spending your time. Then you can assess where things can and need to change. After you do this exercise, you will be able to look back at that day and see some ways that you can get more time back on your schedule. Consequently you can be more productive moving forward and benefit from allowing you more time for yourself and for your family and friends.
Begin With The End In Mind
Now, what goals do you want for yourself personally and for your career? Clearly defining what your goals are and visualizing those goals is a vital step in the successful achievement of any goal. But simply visualizing and creating those goals in your head isn’t enough. Once you have defined within yourself what those goals are, write your goals down somewhere. In addition, be very specific with what those goals are. Next include any action steps you need to reach that goal. Most importantly, make sure you include a date by which you will achieve each goal. After that, list the way you will reward yourself when you accomplish it. Studies show over and over again that people who write out their goals are much more likely to achieve them. Always keep the end in mind. Therefore the activities you take part in and the actions you take will be consistent with the outcomes you want. In short, you will align align with the goals you set for yourself.
Celebrate Your Victories
That is to say, celebrate even the smallest accomplishments! When you write down your goals, also write down a reward you will give yourself when you reach that particular goal. Doing this will give you the motivation you need to keep taking action steps towards that goal. For example, maybe it’s a day at the spa, a vacation, a concert or a new outfit. To sum up, treat yourself and celebrate your accomplishments. In return you will be motivated to reach bigger and better goals.
Read or Listen To Some Good Books Or Podcasts
There is so much content available. That is to say, books, podcasts, blogs and motivational speakers. Take some time to learn from others. Similarly, get motivated. Make the most of your time by listening to them while you are working out or driving in the car.
HAve An Accountability Partner
Being held accountable personally and in your business/career has proven time and time again to lead you to a successful outcome. Whether it’s losing weight, quitting a bad habit or reaching a goal in your business, having someone hold you accountable works. In short, find an accountability partner that you trust to keep you focused and push you to reach you goals. Consider your spouse, friend or coworker.
Take Yourself on a Date
We all work so hard and need time away from our work. Taking a break from our work to enjoy quality time with family and friends is not only important for our mental and physical health but it will also help reduce stress. So treat yourself to a date night once a week.
best practices to stay motivated
Stay Positive
When we look at what we are doing and where we are going in a negative way, with a negative attitude, all we is the negative. In short, you will attract more negative. It’s ok to allow yourself to feel the pain of the situation but don’t stay there very long. Science shows us that positive thinking stimulates the growth of nerve connections, improves attentiveness, increases mental productivity and helps you think more efficiently. Further, the best thing it does is helps you get through it better!
Revisit Your Goals
Visualize once again what the outcome looks like if you were to achieve your goals. If it is moving to a new facility, envision what and how that will feel once you are able to accomplish it.
Don't Dwell On It
Don’t stay fixated on the temporary setback or problem that you are facing. Accept the fact that it is normal to go through challenging times. Then resolve that you are going to keep going no matter what. Sometimes the best thing to do is to take a break. For instance go for a walk or call and hang out with a friend.
Share Your Challenges
This goes hand in hand with your accountability partner. Share your challenges and issues with people that you know will support you and help you. Don’t close yourself off to others and hold it all inside. That is to say, reach out to your close friends, family, peer group or mentor when you need help and encouragement.
In conclusion, get started today on clearly defining your goals. Both personally and professionally. Then start taking daily action steps toward reaching those goals. In short, it’s up to you, and only you, to make the most of your time and reach your goals. Moreover, resolve to make the most of your time so you can look back and be proud of all you accomplished.
Read more motivational and inspiration posts on The Gingerpreneur Blog and The I Said Yes! Wedding Pros Blog.
