Did you know that if you smile; even if you do not feel like smiling, your mood is boosted? Go ahead, try it now.
If you are feeling demotivated at the moment, you are not alone. According to studies, this week is the week you are most likely to give up on our New Year’s Resolutions; and stop working towards the 2017 goals that you have dreamed of. It does not have to be that way, though – if you are determined to find your Feminine Fortune and make this the best year yet, there is one simple way to recapture your motivation.
While the mind is a complex place; how it interprets events is quite simple. Your brain uses the framework you set yourself to assess events, so whether you find an experience positive or negative is largely down to your state of mind and mood. How you approach something is more important than the experience itself. A positive state of mind is enough to motivate you towards success – but a negative state of mind can hold you back more than you would have thought.
So how do you ensure that you are as motivated as possible? Mood is affected by two main things – your energy and your temperament. Your energy is an easy one – if you are taking care of yourself, eating well and exercising, your energy levels are likely to be good.
So how do you ensure that you are as motivated to succeed as possible?
First, start with your body. If you are eating right and exercising, you are laying great foundations to be physiologically motivated. Your state of mind will automatically begin to improve when you partake in self-care. Next comes breathing and meditation – this makes a surprising difference to increase motivation and passion. Taking time to reflect each morning through meditation does wonders for renewing passion. The School of Feminine Fortune contains a meditation for every course for this very reason.
Next, your temperament. We all know someone who seems to radiate positivity and happiness. They smile and laugh a lot, and seem genuinely optimistic and successful. Their success is linked to that passion and happiness – being happy and optimistic makes you predisposed to positively view events and experiences, which means you are more likely to have a positive experience. Cultivating a positive mental attitude can seem difficult, but is definitely worth the time.
What if you need motivation right now? Follow these steps:
- Review your goals and make sure they are specific. ‘Learn to run’ is a goal; but it’s not specific enough to judge success. ‘Run a 10k marathon’ is much clearer, which makes it easier to achieve.
- Break down your goals and tasks into manageable chunks. This will prevent you from feeling overwhelmed, and help you to see how you’re improving. For example, your first running goal might be to get fitted for running shoes, or to run 1 mile straight without stopping.
- Celebrate achievements. Whether it’s a big goal win or a smaller task, acknowledge your achievement with something meaningful. For example, you could get a new running outfit, or buy something you have wanted for a long time. Some people find financial penalties for not following tasks (such as skipping a run) works better, but be careful not to demotivate yourself!
- Build meditation into your daily life. Start once you have clarified your goals, and enjoy a meditation session to clear your mind and restore your inner peace. Then meditate every day. You will quickly feel the difference.
- Find support. Whether it is 1-to-1 mentorship or a supportive group, a neutral perspective on your goals and progress can be invaluable. Not only will your coach help you identify strengths and weaknesses and keep you on track for results, but they can also help you to identify where you are self-sabotaging.
What could you do if you had unlimited motivation? Take the first steps towards a happier mind and meeting all your goals today.