Sometimes we all need a little push in life. Whether we're itching to pursue the dreams we've held in our heart since childhood or we simply need the willingness to tackle mundane chores, we can often find ourselves mired in a rut of inertia and feel like it's the most difficult task to rise out of it.


This piece is packed full of helpful tips and techniques that are designed to give you the boost you need! There are 10 tips listed here, but don't be surprised if you find yourself coming up with other creative ideas just by skimming through them. There are many more ways to motivate yourself than I could possibly list in an article, but those listed should be enough to get your creative juices flowing and get some great motivation building.

Some of the tips are deceptively simple, but can be very effective indeed. Please keep in mind that they may vary in their effectiveness depending upon your mood and your current state of mind. These factors can fluctuate widely from day to day, so a tip that worked for you yesterday may not be as effective today.

Therefore, be willing to try something new if you're feeling uninspired by some of the suggestions. If you try a tip and it doesn't work, try another, or perhaps alter one of the tips to better suit your needs.

Most importantly, remember that "motivation" is simply something that causes the desire to act. While positive motivators are usually more pleasant, don't be surprised to discover that I've included one or two "negative" motivators in this book. What makes them negative or positive, however, is the context in which they are used. Though they may seem negative at first glance, they are for a positive result, so be willing to keep an open mind about them if you think they might work for you.

There are many reasons why we become unmotivated, and I touch on many of them throughout the pages of this book. Your reasons may be in alignment with these, or they may be completely different.

When it comes right down to it, the reasons for your lack of motivation aren't as important as your decision to take control of it and move forward again. If this book can help you accomplish that, then our time together has been well-spent.

Here's wishing you all the motivation you desire, and a hefty dose of inspiration for variety.

variety.


Tip #1 - Drink a glass of cold water.

Dehydration can result in fatigue and mental fogginess, which sure doesn't help your motivation. Before doing intensive mental or physical work, try drinking a glass of ice cold water and watch how it refreshes you. Also be sure to keep drinking plenty of water throughout the day. One glass of water won't be enough for a body that is more than mildly dehydrated.

Tip #2 - Meditate.

Scattered thoughts can make any task seem more confusing or burdensome. Before beginning work on your objective, take 15 minutes to sit quietly and focus on nothing. Keep your mind as blank as possible and attune to the stillness within you. You may have to gently pull back your focus when it begins to wander, but avoid becoming frustrated about it. Simply keep readjusting your focus and stay calm, and you should feel centered and refreshed in just a few minutes.

Tip #3 - Create a worry box.

Nothing is more aggravating than trying to work productively and being nagged to death by worries! Instead of letting your worries take over your mind, create a worry box to keep them in. You can use any kind of box, from an empty shoe box to a decorative wooden or glass box. Write all of your current worries on a sheet of paper (or you can use a fresh sheet for each worry). When you can't think of any other worries, put the sheet(s) of paper into the box, close it and store it away on a high shelf nearby. If worries begin to nag at you again while you're trying to stay focused, glance at your worry box and remind yourself that you don't have to worry about anything right now because you've placed your

worries in that box. Affirm that you can pick up your worries again later if you really want to.

Tip #4 - Empty your mind with free writing.

Similar to the worry box described above, you may have nagging thoughts that aren't exactly worries but nevertheless irritate and distract you. Start your day by "pouring" all of them onto a sheet of paper. As you write your thoughts down (don't worry about making them neat or orderly, just scribble them out), affirm that you are setting them aside so you can better focus on the task at hand. If you notice random thoughts nagging at you again later while working on your objectives, take another sheet of paper and repeat the process. Eventually you will train your mind to focus on the task at hand and let go of unnecessary random thoughts.

Tip #5 - Chronicle your journey.

Begin keeping a journal about your goals and dreams, or whatever you're working on at the time. Be sure to write down your achievements, brainstorm ways to overcome obstacles, and record solutions that worked for you. When you feel in need of some motivation, go back and read a few pages of this chronicle and let it inspire you! It's easy to forget how good a certain achievement made you feel at the time, and this is a good way to remind yourself that you are capable of more than you realize.

Tip #6 - Drink some tea or coffee.

While caffeine shouldn't be relied upon for long-term energy, it can often help in a pinch because it has proven to be a mental stimulator. If you're feeling foggy or sluggish, try drinking a cup

of tea or coffee and see if it helps (unless you have a condition that is aggravated by caffeine, obviously). However, try to avoid adding sugar, or drinking those sugar-laden caffeinated beverages. They may seem to help at first, but too much sugar will cause an energy crash later which can put you in a worse spot than you started in.

Tip #7 - Fuel your body.

Starting the day with a healthful breakfast can go a long way in providing your body and mind with adequate energy. Try to stick with lean protein and high-fiber complex carbohydrates, vegetables and fruit, along with limited amounts of healthy fats. Likewise, keep fueling your body throughout the day by eating small meals and snacks. This will help keep your blood sugar more level and contribute to more stable energy – which can give you the stamina to keep moving forward!

Tip #8 - Take a break.

Nothing results in burnout faster than pushing yourself too hard, too often, for too long! Sometimes we feel unmotivated simply because our bodies and minds are telling us "enough is enough!" Assess whether you need to motivate yourself, or if you simply need some downtime to recharge. If you've been burning the midnight oil too often lately, take some time off. Even a few hours of relaxation and fun will renew your motivation more effectively than any motivational techniques.

Tip #9 - Take a nap.

In today's busy world, we often get far less sleep than we really need for optimal performance. If you're feeling sleepy and heavy and can't seem to concentrate, allow yourself 15-30 minutes for a cat nap. Not only can this renew your physical energy, it can clear your head and improve your concentration so you'll get more done in less time.

Tip #10 - Smell something yummy.

Aromatherapy is a good way to stimulate your mind and body, or simply create a rush of pleasant feelings associated with certain scents. Try sniffing stimulating essential oils like peppermint, rosemary, cinnamon, lemon, or orange. If you don't want to carry bottles of oil around with you, try putting a few drops of your favorite oil onto a handkerchief and keep it in a sealed zip baggie. When you need a little stimulation, simply open the bag, put your nose inside and inhale deeply. Yum!