You know how it is, you are powering along with changing habits or goals and then you hit a plateau. It is hard to keep motivated and committed when you just aren’t seeing the results. Even taking microsteps and achieving small wins or success sometimes just aren’t enough. We are human after all and as I’ve written before, CHANGE ISN’T EASY.
So what is the answer? How do we get motivated to start again? How do you Reset your Motivation?
I posted this question in the Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond – Let’s Thrive Facebook Group and these are the responses from some of the members.
Reading through you will notice that being in nature and also giving your self some time are popular ways to regain your mojo. I will also be sharing at the end, my 4 top tips that I use to regain my motivation.
How to Reset your Motivation
Jen
If I am low I go out in my garden and pick flowers, weed or just admire the beauty of my plants
Kristina
I take the dog out for a walk and/or go hiking. Sitting down with a good book and my good dog cures just about anything
Rest and watch Queen and Freddy Mercury Live Aid concert or any of their shows. He cracks me up and I adore their energy. He makes me laugh feel so good I think he and Queen are awesome they worked so hard o provide the best performance for the fans – great motivation
I allow myself time to rest and give my mind a break. Sometimes by switching off for a while can help with motivation
Take some time out to clear my mind and tell myself I need to get back on the horse. Keeping motivated when you don’t see results is really hard at times.
Denyse from Denyse Whelan Blogs
Knowing it doesn’t last – even when it feels like it – kickstarting by going outside & checking out the bigger world than the one inside my head…& remembering what I am grateful for- sounds too good to be true? Well we know that its proven it helps!
Sam from Loving the Fifty Something
Listen to my body & take a break. A leisurely walk in the woods concentrating on the nature around or a candlelight hot bubble bath. Just knowing that having a day off isn’t a bad thing.
Pat from Retirement Transition
I re-read my vision statement. Think about what might be keeping me from moving forward…what limiting belief is in play. Then I put a small step of the goal on my calendar as an activity or send an email to set something up. Getting an accountability buddy engaged sometimes helps. And I do not beat myself up about it. Sometimes I need a breather from things. If it’s really important to do, the motivation will return with one of those things, but if not, maybe it’s time to let go of that goal.
Jennifer from Next Phase In Fitness
I find it helps to re read my goals for the period. And to reset them if necessary. Goals aren’t set in concrete. It’s totally ok to do a reset
Try to take time out, and try not to beat myself up about it but rather be kind to myself, do a good or helpful deed for somebody else, go for a walk.
What do I do to regain my motivation?
After reading through what others have suggested my tips are pretty much in line with theirs.
My top 4 tips to regain my motivation are:
- Revisiting My Why – remembering why I am working towards the goal and what acheiving it will mean to my life.
- Cheerleaders & Buddies – I make sure I have Cheerleaders, positive people who are supporting me and my endeavours. My daughter is a great Cheerleader and is always there with an encouraging word It also helps if you are working towards a common goal with someone else. For example, when training for a half or full marathon, I run with my Saturday Sisters and we are all working towards the same goal. We keep each other going.
- Listening to podcasts or reading motivational quotes – podcasts are great and taking the time to listen to a motivational quote that inspires you can certainly help me get my motivation and mojo back. Having a motivational quote in a prominent spot also helps to lift my spirits and determination.
- Cut myself some slack. I’m quite a self-motivated person but there are times when I’m just not feeling it. These are the times that my body or mind is telling me to take some time out. I take an Inspiration Flow day to relax, restore and re-energise.
You might also like to read a previous post I wrote Getting Back on Track When Life Gets in the Way
How do you reset your motivation?
24 Comments
Good post. Sometimes also just do it and the motivation flows once you get in the swing…
Yes, I find if I’m not in the mood for exercise I just put on my gear and do something. After 5 minutes I’m into it and when I’m finished I feel so good. Have a great week! x
Some great tips here! I think cheerleaders and buddies are a great way to stay accountable and keep on track. I think it’s important to be able to cut yourself some slack, some time out to recharge usually means I can restart with renewed energy and purpose.
Cheerleaders and buddies are a great help Sammie. When we are training for a half or full marathon, my Saturday Sisters (who I run with), keep each other going. If one of us is not feeling it, the others soon get them into the groove. It is important to understand that some days you just need a break, as long as we don’t use that as an excuse every day. Our bodies and minds need a break regularly. x
I needed to read this today. I’m back from holidays but exhausted again already and back in Sydney for yet another big week. My routine has completely been shot since this began at the beginning of February. This week I’m doing no socialising and have said no to the things I usually say yes to when people want to catch up with me. I’m resetting my goals and am trying to work out how I can have a living well routine when there is no routine & in these weeks when I’m out the front door at 6.30am and back in 12 hours later. At least I’m in the waiting phase re the novel at the moment so giving that part of my brain a rest.
Hi Jo, everything seems to be in a whirlwind for you at the moment. A quick trip to Malaysia and Singapore and then back into it. Travelling and then coming home to travel for work is unsettling. I hope it can settle down soon. It is hard to fit anything in for yourself when you are working such long hours. Please take care and I’m sending you a hug. xx
Loved all the thoughts shared here Sue – and particularly related to your four points too. I’m a big fan of cheerleaders and quotes – blogging has brought me so much joy from both of these areas – sharing in encouraging each other and cheering each other on, and also finding and sharing inspiring quotes is a big part of my blog (and why I love Pinterest so much!) xx
Perfectly said! I thought you would love the quotes and yes you we have each other’s backs when it comes to blogging and keeping on keeping on. Have a great week. xx
These are all great tips! I especially like “cheerleaders and buddies”, it is amazing the difference that they can make in our lives!
They certainly do, Donna. I don’t know where I would be sometimes without my Saturday Sisters. x
“Just knowing that having a day off isn’t a bad thing.”
THIS. I hate the whole hustle “culture” and I think we all need to be a lot nicer to ourselves. Sometimes we need to work harder and other times we need a day off. It’s what we need, what will refuel us at that time that matters.
I agree Vanessa, we do need to listen to our bodies and minds because they tell us what we need. I sometimes get overwhelmed with all the hustle ‘culture’ as you call it. It is all about what is best for us isn’t it? Have a great week. x
This is great Sue and thanks for asking us to give our thoughts to you! I think it’s a combination of the time of year and change of seasons but I’ve been feeling a bit like I’ve lost my mojo lately. I’m also writing a post about it as we speak but it’s taking me ages. I love the term cheerleaders and think of our group of midlife bloggers as a supportive and encouraging gang 🙂 I have pinned this post to share. #Lifethisweek
Hi Deb, I love to hear what other Women Over 50 think and enjoy writing these types of posts. In the end, we all think pretty much the same don’t we? I love the term Cheerleaders and my Saturday Sisters certainly help me with my running. Friends like you, Leanne and Donna keep me motivated with my blogging and I always appreciate your support. I’m up and down at the moment. So much I want to do, so many ideas but then I start thinking ‘why am I doing this?’. That’s when I need my cheerleaders! have a great week. xx
Fabulous post Sue and I loved reading about how others kept motivated. For me it’s walking my dog, being out in nature and playing upbeat and motivating music. I love listening to podcasts too. Have a great week. xx
My daughter introduced me to podcasts Miriam and showed me how it can work in the car. I love listening to them and as I have a one hour drive now to see my grandsons it is a great use of time and learning whilst driving. Have a great week. xx
I enjoyed seeing other’s responses. Yesterday my motivation was writing 3 times in my morning journal “do it”! I had been putting off one spring cleaning chore for weeks… I’m running out of spring. And yes, that did help me do it!
How interesting to read everyone’s ideas and thanks for including mine. I also agree with something you wrote too “cut yourself some slack” because as an achievement oriented person I need to step back more these days. Retirement, rest and relaxation need to play a bigger role than they are. I will get there!!
Thanks for sharing on #lifethisweek and next week’s optional prompt is 20/51 Share Your Snaps #4 20/5/19 so do join in! Denyse
Hi Sue,
Love the quotes from our blogging colleagues, friends! We have so much to learn from each other.
I think it is hard for type A personalities to cut themselves some slack but that can be the thing we need most. I agree with Pat who said revisit your goals. And make a step in the right direction toward completing one simple goal first. That’s why I love my to-do lists. I never finish everything but I do finish some things. And that is forward progress.
This is great Sue and just what I need at the moment. I need motivation at the moment as I’ve fallen back into some bad habits with my diet and I have high cholesterol so need to mindful of this. I’m pretty on track with my exercise as I’m training for a 35km walk in August, but I also need to get back to Pilates and Yoga. I haven’t been in months and every week I tell myself I need to get back to doing these classes. I tend to be self-motivated most of the time but often lose heart if I don’t see results and then go on a binge. I’m probably a bit of a roller coaster actually. I wish I had your strength and purpose.
Hi Kathy it is hard to keep motivated and I’m sure even elite athletes struggle as well. Your 35km walk is a great goal to work towards and you will get some good workouts with training for it. It can be a roller coaster but just get back on and keep trying that is the key. I have my days when I get up and it is a struggle so I do know where you are coming from. xx
Hi Sue. I can relate to how you stay motivated, through support from family and friends, and through the inspirational quotes. Thanks for sharing another great post.
Hi Christina lovely to hear from you and pleased you enjoyed the post. Motivation must really come from within but if we have support and cheerleaders it can be easier to get back on track and feel inspired to keep going. x