Here’s the not so fun truth… Motivation is like the honeymoon stage (aka infatuation) – IT DOES NOT LAST. I know, it would be so fun to keep that can’t get enough of you, nothing else matters feeling – but then again. Do you remember how much stuff you let fall through the cracks during the infatuation stage of dating? So maybe it’s a really good thing we do snap out of it – otherwise, we’d all be homeless, jobless, and our friends would be long gone.

When it comes to keeping a great marriage, you’ve got to put in the work. Motivation goes the same way.

It’s not the moments of motivation that get you to the life you dream of… It’s following through after the motivation has warned off that really counts!

But sometimes we just get down and we need that pick me up, these are my favorite ways to get charged back up!

1. Watch an inspirational Ted Talk

I still do best when others offer affirmation, but instead of waiting for a friend, follower, or loved one to put me back together, I now turn to inspirational Ted Talks when I need a quick pick-me-up.

Here are a few Ted Talks suggestions:

The Happiness Advantage – Shawn Achor
Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are – Amy Cuddy
Your Elusive Creative Genius – Elizabeth Gilbert
Anthony Robbins – Motivate You in 20 Minutes – Anthony Robbins

2. Shift your focus to others.

It may sound completely contrary, and you might be thinking, “I’m suffering, and instead of focusing on me, you want me to take care of someone else?” Yes! That’s exactly what I’m suggesting. Nothing will change your perspective faster than when you stop focusing on you, your problems, your grievances, your fears, and start putting your mind to easing someone else’s burdens.

Forget yourself by becoming interested in others. Do every day a good deed that will put a smile of joy on someone’s face. – Dale Carnegie

 

3. Read an Inspirational Audio Book

Personally, I’m an Audible girl. I like to feel that they are talking right to me through my earbuds. I love that!

Here are 3 of my go-to motivation and inspiration titles:

Girl, Wash Your Face – Rachell Hollis
Take the Stairs– Rory Vaden
Awaken the Giant Within – Anthony Robbins

4. Learn something new just for you

In trying to figure out how to take control of my circumstances and the way I feel about them, I thought about how I always feel really good when I learn something new.  I feel empowered even when it’s something small.

My favorite online educational resources are:

YouTube
MasterClass (my current go-to! I’m taking a comedy class from Steve Martin!! How fun is that? And my girl’s and I are doing the cooking classes with Wolfgang Puck!)
Creative Live

Plus, if you’re anything like me – you probably have a few courses you still haven’t finished. Turn on just one video and learn something.

The more you know and learn, the more powerful and capable you feel!

5. Put distance between you and the pain source

Sometimes this is impossible, but if you’re being torn down by someone else, you may need to put some distance between you and them. This doesn’t have to be forever if that wouldn’t be appropriate, but before you can heal and move on to forgiveness and acceptance, you’re first going to need enough strength to let go of a victim’s mentality (even when you truly have been a victim).

After the smear incident, I realized that I could not to read, hear, or see anything that had to do with those cruel comments. I asked people not to tell me about it unless I had to know. Interestingly enough, it happened a second-time several months later, but this time I’d gotten a little smarter. As soon as friends and followers started asking if I was okay, I told them I was fine! I didn’t need to or want to know anything about what was being said negatively about me.  I was able to move onward and upward without shedding any tears.

6. Take care of your body

I’ll admit that I’m the worst at being consistent about this one, but there is no denying it! Exercise is one of the best stress relievers, and if you’re not sleeping enough then you’re not functioning properly… add stress to that recipe and you’re going to create a disaster.

Sometimes, I’m not willing to give exercise more than 10 minutes, but even those 10 minutes of the 1,440 you have in a day can and will make a difference.
Here are three 10-minute videos from YouTube that I enjoy:

10 Minute – Yoga
10 Minute – Intense P90X Style
10 Minute – Overall Workout

7. Daily Self Affirmations 

This one sounds hokey, but I’m telling you – it works! It’s probably the easiest of all seven strategies because it takes less than a minute, so I really hope you’ll put it to the test for yourself. Write out daily positive affirmations as if the goal is already your reality. Read them to yourself out loud daily. Go ahead… Try it for 30 days and see what happens.

Here are 5 Affirmation Examples:

I am a ‘Make‘n it happen’ machine! I am accomplishing my goals and opportunities are flowing to me.

I am courageous and bold. I am meant to make an impact and that exactly what I’m doing.

I am healthy and happy! I have never felt so beautiful and so powerful.

My family and marriage are better than ever. Our relationships are a model for others. 

There you go! Seven strategies to put yourself back together when fear, failure, or frustration hit.

And my final little squeeze of encouragement for you comes through one of my all-time favorite quotes – it’s from Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith.”

We are all more powerful than we realize. And while I know that, I also know what it feels like when fear, failure, and frustration show up and try to take residence in our minds. They are tools of darkness that keep us down. If we can stay more frequently in the light, then our ability to do good in this world can and will become brighter and more powerful.