We all know that finding lasting motivation is not easy and is an ongoing commitment. We live in a world where getting what we want when we want without much effort is so central to our culture that many people struggle to keep up. This imaginary race leads to exhaustion, depression, and burnout. When there’s no driving passion behind one’s lifestyle, there’s no direction, either. Is there another way to live that gives us focus and passion? The answer is yes. However, it’s not easy, but if you’re willing to commit to the process, the results will change your life.
Checking-In with Yourself
Life is not a marathon; at some point, you must stop and invest in some self-maintenance. Slowing down and checking in may seem like a complete waste of time, but failing to do so will ultimately cost you more time when you become ill or injured. With so many obligations, it’s easy for us to forget our own needs.
Think of your body and mind like machines. Your body and mind are the same. To keep machines running correctly, you must occasionally stop to check the parts are in good condition. If you forget to stop and run maintenance, your machines will break. Don’t wait until you see the warming light before you take breaks! You could’ve been on the road again in the time it will take to get them repaired.
Creating the Self-Love Habit
Achievement and success have become indicators of someone’s inherent value. It’s easy to see why we associate our sense of self-worth with how much we accomplish at work. Every mistake and failure will chip away at your motivation with a mindset like this. As such, creating and maintaining a habit of self-love is essential. Practice telling yourself that you are enough, whether you succeed or fail. Small affirmations like this are simple, but they make all the difference regarding lasting motivation.
Identify Your Passion
Another easy trap is allowing your work to be the dominant force in your life. You need something other than work to channel your energy and thoughts at the end of a long day. There are no limits to what your passion can be; it’s your life! Learning a new skill, starting a hobby, volunteering or working in the garden are just some of the endless activities you can direct your energy. The important thing is you have something to look forward to other than work. If your sole focus in life is getting the next paycheck, you’ll find yourself feeling empty and unfulfilled. Lasting motivation will be out of reach. On the other hand, creating space for a passion beyond work will nourish your spirit and set you in the direction of creating your ideal life.
You Don’t Need to go it alone
Of course, no matter how much you focus on lasting motivation, there are times when life throws you a curve ball. Most of us learned that if we keep pushing through the tough times, we can make it to the other side without an issue. Though this works sometimes, some burdens can’t and shouldn’t be handled alone, such as the death of a loved one or a tricky diagnosis.
Trying to handle these by yourself often leads to self-isolation or a downward spiral, leaving you drained and unable to do the essential day-to-day tasks. There’s nothing wrong with turning to an established network or support group during these times. Humans are social creatures; we are not created to carry the weight of these burdens alone. Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s human nature. Don’t be afraid to reach out in your times of need. No matter how difficult, doing so is crucial to your mental and spiritual well-being.
Continuing Your Newfound Motivation
Congratulations, you’ve started looking after your mental health, practising positive affirmations, pursuing a passion and supporting people. Now what? Maybe you are experiencing a newfound zest for life. But the truth about lasting motivation is that it can’t be this easy to achieve. Naturally, finding this motivation is a continual process that’s never truly finished and requires conscious effort to keep alive.
Learn to be appreciative of your newfound and earned motivation. See it as a seed that needs water, nutrients and sunlight daily. Eventually, you will see the sprout, and your source will bear fruit. But the work isn’t over. It still requires all the nutrition to continue to grow and flourish.
Likewise, the above steps are not a checklist that is complete once you get to the bottom. Instead, view these steps like you would any of your other needs. We don’t create a checklist to eat, drink and sleep. They’re just facts of life. Your mental and spiritual health is equally vital to your physical health, so be mindful in treating them with love and respect. You’ll find yourself with a feeling of fulfilment and a passion for life.
