It should come as no surprise that the habits we form will determine our success or failure. After all, habits already dictate a lot about our lives. If we, for example, eat large amounts of food regularly and don’t exercise, we can expect to have physical consequences for our actions. That’s why it’s so important to form good habits so that we can reach our fullest potential.
What’s even more interesting is the fact that these same good habits can help us to stay motivated when it comes to realizing our goals.
Let’s look at some examples:
1. Take care of yourself. If you’ve ever been sick then you know it’s impossible to be productive. Carrying extra weight not only drags you down but affects energy levels which in turn affects productivity. Setting up some healthy habits such as going to the gym more often, or making changes in your meal plan will help you to stay motivated longer.
2. Revisit the reason you’re doing what you do. When you make goals, you tend to feel that initial surge of enthusiasm for the project. Build a habit that allows you to revisit a goal. For example, if you’re doing something that will benefit a specific group of people somehow. Plan to spend time each month with that group to remind yourself of why you’re doing this.
3. Be proactive. Getting the jump on things keeps your boss happy and gives you a rush of dopamine to the brain. Build habits of being early, or do things that help you to think ahead. For example, make lists that keep you on task and ahead of the game.
4. Focus on the small stuff. If you’re dealing with a big goal, such as some serious weight loss, it’s easy to lose your motivation when it feels like you’re not making progress. Having small goals gives you milestones to celebrate and builds motivation back. These kinds of goals come from small changes, like planning to eat a little differently (cutting carbs for example), or in taking the stairs instead of using the elevator.
5. Surround yourself with people who motivate you. That is an easy habit for you to build, in that it involves choosing a little more carefully what company you keep. Building a habit of meeting with this group on a regular basis not only keeps you motivated and cements relationships with those around you.
Building good habits is an awesome way to stay on track to reach your goals. The best part? As with any habit, if you do it enough, you’ll wind up acting without thinking, making motivation an automatic part of your life.
