Five tips to finding motivation and getting things done
- Faith Bugeja
- Dec 2, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 28, 2022
Set goals, influences, healthy eating, and more
For my first offical blog I suppose I should keep it short and simple, because lets face it, no one is going to read a long introductory paragraph in the first blog... you're going to skip to the key points!
So without making this any longer than it has to be, here are my top 5 tips to finding motivation to get things done daily.
Tip #1 - Set goals (journaling)
If I have learnt anything from my past years of wanting to change but having no motivation, it is that picturing yourself with a successful and happy future is the biggest motivation there is.
This helps you to really want to push towards your set goals and start being productive.
An easy way to keep track of your progress is journaling. Get a small journal and start by writing your daily goals, and then long term goals.
Each time you complete a goal draw a tick next to it and enjoy feeling accomplished.
Did you know accomplishing something, even small, creates a spark of motivation that is caused by a chemical released in the brain called dopamine.
"Dopamine is responsible for allowing you to feel pleasure, satisfaction and motivation."
Tip #2 - Start a small routine to see a positive change that will leave you motivated
We all know routines, especially productive ones can be hard to stick by. We all want to change for the better but the truth is change won't happen unless you try.
This means avoid procrastination! Procrastinating can be your worst enemy leaving you feeling guilty at the end of the day causing the start of a negative mindset.
For many years I used to want a toned stomach but yet I would continue to sit around eating junk food most of the time. It wasn't until one day I came across this short five min workout video of an influencer with such positive energy that made me want to start small.
I kid you not - this one video changed not only my body to have a toned stomach, but also put me in such a positive mindset that I don't ever want to go back to how I used to be.
Starting small then seeing change in your self improvement can be a huge motivation to keep going, because hey, you’re doing great :)
Tip #3 - Find positive influencers
Finding lifestyle influencers who are known for workout videos, travelling, healthy eating and more is a great way to boost your motivation to get things done.
My tip is to search up the kind of positive influence you are looking for on youtube or instagram and then look through the different accounts and videos until you find an influencer that is of interest.
From there usually youtube and instagram will have "recommended" or similar accounts that you can follow / subscribe to for more positive energy and motivation.
Tip #4 - Healthy eating
Its no secret that eating the right foods can lead to all types of positive changes for both the mind and body.
To put it simple, eating healthy foods over sugary foods provides you with sustained energy levels throughout the day rather than having an energy crash.
Energy is exactly what we need to motivate us to be productive each day.
"One way to improve our energy levels is by eating better. The right combinations of food may help give you a boost." Academy of Nutrition and Diabetics, 2020, reviewed: 2021
For some people it may be a difficult to cut back on the junk food and sugary drinks that we have become used to. But change only comes when you try and reach for your goals.
A couple of extra tips for those with a sweet tooth:
Craving a sweet dessert? Why not try making healthy peanut butter and banana muffins... Trust me, they taste so good and are the perfect alternative when your craving something sweet.
Always find yourself reaching for chocolate? Why not challenge yourself to have a healthy yogurt or a sweet fruit such as an apple instead. This will help satisfy your sweet craving and hopefully make you forget about the chocolate.
If you eat healthy your body will thank you for it.
Tip #5 - Reduce screen time (make time for yourself)
Have you ever spent a long day glued to technology and ended up feeling super tired and drained of energy afterwards?.... Well me too.
Yes technology has its benefits of helping us keep in contact with friends and family, and even some people rely on technology for their jobs.
However, going on your phone scrolling through Instagram or TikTok every five minutes because you are bored can become a bad habit and leave you feeling unmotivated.
Frequent use of technology "interferes with emotional and social intelligence, can lead to addictive behaviors, increases social isolation, and interferes with brain development and sleep".
My simple tip to avoiding unnecessary screen time is to stop and think for a minute is what you are doing on your phone really important? Can you be doing something else that is better for your mental and physical wellbeing instead of staring at the screen?
Next time you catch yourself on your phone playing a game for too long or scrolling through social media apps, challenge yourself to get up and do some physical activity, immerse yourself in nature, or even cook a healthy meal.
"Making time to do what you love can help you ease your stress, lift your mood, and expand you social circle."
Conclusion
You have made it to the end, congratulations! You are now more knowledgable and informed on how to stay motivated for longer each day.
By following these five simple tips, you have the power to start making a positive change in your life today.
Remember to set goals, start a small routine, find positive influences, start eating healthier and reduce screen time to watch yourself grow and stay motivated for longer...
And don't forget to do things you love!
Picture it. Start with something small. Expand towards the best you there can be.
... your future self will thank you :)
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