Secrets to Staying Motivated Toward Your Goals

Do you have a goal? I certainly hope so! Even better is a list of many goals, each one leading up to the next as we begin to discover our purpose in life and our passions going into the future. And while everyone seems to have a dream, it’s no secret that many of us struggle to achieve those dreams. Then again, for some people the realization of goals, no matter how lofty or seemingly out of reach, appears effortless. It’s almost as if they are charmed somehow. So, does that mean that if you’re not one of these “charmed” people, you should give up on your goals? Well, no. In fact, that would be a tragic outcome, indeed. The secret to gaining that kind of momentum toward your dreams is simply to discover what these “charmed” people have that perhaps you are lacking. Nine times out of ten, the answer is motivation.

Most people begin the road toward a goal with a whole heap of motivation. The trick – and the defining difference between those who habitually reach their goals and those who tend to fall short – is to have long term motivation; motivation with staying power; motivation that doesn’t fall by the wayside at the first sign of difficulty.

Is long term motivation just easier to maintain for some people than it is for others? It’s possible, but that only defines the difference to a degree. Long term motivation, just like a positive attitude, is largely based on daily choices. In other words, to stay motivated toward a long term goal, you sometimes have to make a conscious decision to remain motivated toward your cause, even if you’re not feeling particularly inspired in the moment.

Here are a couple of simple tricks to help you stay on track toward your goals:

1) What is it that you want?

Define this precisely. It is not enough to say to yourself, “I want to lose weight,” or “I want to make more money,” or “I want to own my own business.” Be specific. What exactly do you want to achieve? If it’s weight loss, what size do you want to be? Picture yourself that size. Pick out the new clothes you will buy. If you want to make more money, how do you plan to accomplish that? Make a plan, and then follow it. Same goes for owning a business. What kind of business would you like to own? Picture it in your mind in as much detail as you can possibly imagine, and hold onto that image as you pursue your dream.

2) Why do you want it?

The “why” is often the most important motivator for any goal. Why do you want to lose weight? To be healthier in general? Or do you have specific motivators, such as being able to keep up with your kids? Why do you want to make more money? Of course, most of us would enjoy making more money, but what’s the reason that you feel passionate about? How would owning your own business change your life? Would you spend more time with your family? Travel more? Sleep in more often? You see, your “why” doesn’t really matter to anyone but you. Whatever it is that drives your passion for change, that’s your “why.” Remembering that every day will help you to maintain your motivation.

KPSA Radio will be featuring discussions with motivational speakers and life coaches to help listeners stay motivated to achieve their goals. Above all, enjoy the journey!