Finding Your MOTIVATION

Finding motivation has been difficult for most since March 2020, but as we round out our last month of the First Semester, we still have an opportunity to make changes toward success.

Guess what? We will NEVER be motivated 100% of the time. Why? because motivation is based on emotions and our emotions are naturally inconsistent. Some days we will feel energized and others days we won't "feel" like doing anything at all. That is totally normal.

What's the point? The point is we can not rely on our motivation to make changes and to take action. In order to see positive changes, we have to establish a plan and create new routines that we can stick to no matter how we feel. Making small changes and creating new, simple routines each day will create HUGE results down the road! The most important thing is focusing on the small habits and changes you are doing EACH day and NOT worrying about the end result. If you maintain your routine each and everyday, the end goal will take care of itself. No plan is a plan for failure. Making a plan to change a few small things will lead you to see improvements, achieve success and, most importantly, will allow you to maintain your progress long term. Here are some tips on how.....

Why are routines important? Having no routine or structure is so much more draining mentally, physically, and emotionally than any routine could ever be!

Are you feeling that way toward the end of the semester? Drained?

It is common to feel that way, especially as we start to lose "steam" (or our motivation) in finishing out the semester as the best student you can be. Creating routines does the following:

• Gives you structure
• Creates momentum that will carry you on the days when you feel like you don't have motivation or strength
• Establishes priorities
• Limits procrastination
• Keeps track of your goals
• Can make you a healthier person

North Shore University Health System provides examples of some concrete ways that you can take action in creating your own routines. Even if you only use 1 or 2 of these recommendations, the important thing is to take ACTION and START. Remember, this is going to look differently for everyone, but if you can identify what your goals are, start small and make a plan!

• Decide what needs to be in your routine. Do you want to get more exercise or spend more time studying? Prioritizing what is important to you before starting is key!

• Set small goals. Break each large goal into smaller goals. While a big goal is exciting to tackle, it is what often leads to failure as we take on too much. If your overall goal is to eat healthier meals, start by changing one thing a day, every day, to build confidence. When you accomplish that, congratulate yourself!

• Layout a plan. Start with one week at a time and start small – that way you can build on simple accomplishments. Write it all out on a calendar or planner, almost like an appointment.

• Be consistent with time. If you want to get a daily walk in, attempt it at the same time every day. Completing your tasks first thing in the morning before losing motivation allows you to enjoy benefits all day. If you want to get to the gym, do it on your way to or from school, you will have more success. Most people won’t want to leave the warm house once they get home. The same thing goes for homework and studying -- once you come home and start on a Netflix binge, the more difficult it is to motivate yourself to get back into "work mode."

• Be prepared. When deciding upon a new routine, make sure you have all the pieces before you start; this will make it easier to get started without any delay. For example, if a new resolution is to clean your room every Saturday morning, make sure your vacuum cleaner is working properly and you have all the cleaning materials needed.

• Make it fun! Getting into a new routine and new goals aren’t always fun, but there are ways to make it fun. Find a study partner, get a good playlist for cleaning and try new cooking classes – anything to help you enjoy your new routine.

• Track your progress. Create a visual calendar or to-do list that you can cross off each day that you complete the task. Most people don’t want to “break the chain” and see a missing spot on their calendar.

• Reward yourself. Once you have fallen into a routine on a consistent basis, reward yourself with something fun. For example, if your goal was to get into a routine of picking up clutter every night before bed, reward yourself with new slippers that you can enjoy around the clean house.

Your goals are YOURS to set, and YOURS to accomplish. This is your opportunity to take control!

Take a listen to the link below. It is a brief overview from author James Clear about atomic habits. (Aka 'small' things that make a BIG impact!)

In this video he highlights the 4 things that will get you 1% better each and everyday.

1. Noticing
2. Wanting
3. Doing
4. Liking

Watch and listen to learn how.

https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits