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Old 05-11-2012, 09:31 AM   #2
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Part two (page 2)

The Ins and Outs on Motivation when you're Mad

Written by Chad Cook
Saturday, 16 December 2006

Everyone sets goals for themselves. Every person has dreams, perhaps to get in shape, earn more income, spend more time with the family, or go on a big vacation. Dreams and goals are an aspect of every person's life. Without them, we would have nothing to look forward to, and have no motivation. There are ways to help keep yourself motivated to achieve your dreams, regardless of how big or small they may be.

Motivation is why we do what we do. It is what keeps us working at accomplishing tasks in order to reach our goals and it prompts us daily to work towards that destination. Each person is motivated for different reasons, even if they have the same goal in sight. For people who are intrinsically motivated, they have the power from within to make changes and work towards their goals. They do not rely on outside forces to help them achieve their dreams. Others are motivated by extrinsic reasons. These are people who look to outside forces for the motivation to help them achieve their goals. It could be money, praise or other rewards. Most people are motivated by a combination of the two. The way to accomplish your goals is to find what motivates you and use it to help you stay the course.

The first technique needed to make your dreams come true is to set goals for yourself. If you jot down the steps you feel are needed to achieve the end result, it will be easier for you to take those steps one at a time. Visualize your goal through writing or by pictures. If you want to lose weight, use a journal to write down each step you will take every day to bring about that result. Find a picture of an outfit or a bathing suit you want to be able to get into, and mentally picture yourself in it. This technique can be used to accomplish even smaller goals, such as cleaning out a closet. Write down the steps you need to take and cross one or two small steps off your list every day. Find a picture of the way your want your closet to look when you are finished and hang it where you can't miss it. Visualizing your goal will keep your mind clearly focused on what you want to accomplish and will help keep you motivated without bogging you down.

Next, enlist the support of others to help you fulfill your dreams. Tell everyone around you what you want to achieve and surround yourself with positive people that can encourage you every day to reach your goal. If you want to quit smoking, talk to others that have successfully done so, and they can help you through the roughest times. Stay away from those that can pull you down, or encourage you to fall back into your old behavior patterns.

Another technique you can call on in order to accomplish your goals is to reward yourself. A reward down the line can rev up almost anyone's motivation to work on a task. When you have cleaned out that closet, reward yourself by buying a nice storage system for the closet. You can also help others as a reward. Once you've lost weight, give those clothes you won't be using to a shelter. Or, when you finally stop smoking, use that money you would have bought cigarettes with, and start a savings account for your kids. You will feel motivated by rewarding yourself and others and know that you have helped yourself and those around you in the process.

You can also help yourself achieve your goals by setting up a timetable for accomplishing the necessary tasks along the way. For long-term goals, you may not be able to accomplish them quickly. Some achievements take weeks or months. Give yourself a realistic time frame to accomplish the necessary steps to your goal, and work a little each day toward the end result. Mark off every step on your calendar that brings you closer to your goal so you can monitor your accomplishments.

Finally, when you are working hard to accomplish your dreams, you can stay motivated by keeping your expectations realistic. Accept the fact that you are bound to have a few setbacks and try not to worry about a few bumps in the road. Achieving your goals can be difficult, and if you get frustrated with setbacks, you are more likely to give up. Instead of doing that, give yourself a break, literally. Promise yourself you'll get back to working on your goals and do not beat yourself up if you have one bad day. Stay motivated and just vow to pick up the pieces and start all over again the next day.
Age: 53

After losing 40+ unwanted lbs:

At 152/154lbs:

At 162-168:
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