Staying Motivated and Reaching Your Goals
Each weekday when I awake, I thank God for another day’s rising, make my bed, lay my clothes out for that day, take Jernee (my puppy) out for a walk, come back in to bathe, get dressed, feed Jernee, eat, and leave for work. There is truly no thinking involved in this. This entire routine is pretty much ritualistic and has not changed in the past three months. I am definitely a person who is organized and programmed (so to speak) to lead my life in a rather consistent manner. Please do not mistake my habitual antics for a lack of change; I do change when needed and wanted, but my daily adventures are the same as each week passes. It is as if my mind and body are synchronized and have to complete these happenings before I can truly rest at the end of a workday. How do I maintain this? For as long as I can remember I have always been the type of person who sets out to get something or some things done. I set a goal for myself, plan to reach it, prepare myself for reaching it, and thusly take the time to reach it. It does not matter what that goal is, my main concern is meeting it. How do I stay motivated to do this? I wish I could say it was not a simple thing for me, but it actually is: I focus on what I will gain in the long run if I meet that goal.
For example: about two years ago, I wanted to lose thirteen to fifteen pounds. I implemented a plan to work out which included walking, jumping rope, running up and down the stairs, and slacking up on the amount of unhealthy, fatty foods I was eating. At the end of a three week period, I noticed my jeans were less snug, my dress slacks had a little more room in them, and my shirts did not cut off major circulation to my breasts. After doing that particular regimen for about a month or so, I lost the thirteen pounds I wanted to lose and I maintained that loss until a year later. I fell back into the trap, but nevermore. I am back to that weight and I have it in my mind to keep the weight gain or loss to a three to five pounds maximum. What do I gain ultimately in doing this? I get to fit into some clothes I have had in the back of my closet for years, feel better about my personal presentation, and maintain my health. To me, nothing beats this sort of happiness and this comes from meeting a specific goal.
For other things, it can be more difficult; I will not lie to you; life is like that sometimes. It truly depends on your character as a person and what you are used to experiencing. If you know you are not going to go into work forty-five minutes early and stay an hour later each day to gain some overtime and pay off some unwanted bills, then I would not advise you to start. If you have a project that is due in two weeks and you know you are a chronic procrastinator, it is probably certain that you will just wait until two days before the project is due to begin, build, and finish said project. But, there has to be some one thing that you focus on and constantly remind yourself of it that is linked to reaching that goal. Example: If you finish the project a week in advance, you will be able to focus on other work that has probably been neglected as well or relax with an entire week to spare without having that project stationed on your back like a heavy monkey. Finish the project early = free time or “me (you)-time”. At least, that is how I would see the situation.
I wanted to do something different for this article. Below are several motivational quotes. Perhaps, you will pull something from one or some of them to give you that needed *push* you may have been looking for:
Take these quotes with you. They may help when you need more than a little boost one morning or an extra shove in the afternoon. I would also recommend practicing discipline where you *know* you lack it most. Set specific goals for yourself, focus on what you will gain if that goal is met, and reward yourself after meeting the goal has been achieved. I guarantee you, you will notice a change in your step, your confidence level, and your overall view of self once you learn how to stay motivated and reach your goals. Good luck!
Wow! That is the one thing I always remember about you. You are so dedicated and reach your goals and make it sound so easy!! The article is very inspiring. I have a lot of things I say I want to get done, but it always gets put on the back burner…I am printing off the quotes & keep them where I will read them everyday!! This is something I really want to instill in my children as well!!
Thanks Tre!!!
Good article. We’re such total opposites when it comes to timeliness. How many movies have we met up at where I’m hastily pulling up 5-10 minutes late, causing us to miss the good previews? It sucks to wait until the last possible minute, because that’s when Murphy’s Law is almost certain to take effect. But I’m “programmed” to tell myself it can wait another hour/day/week/month. Speaking of which, I got this 3 1/2 month old belated birthday card I got signed and stamped that I need to send to you. Take care. I’ll give you a call this weekend.
You two, thanks for reading. Wanda, your children will appreciate that and possibly take the advice with them as they get older.
Levy: I live that we are polar opposites, your spontaneous ways coupled with my rituatlistic qualities keeps us afloat. :) And, keep that Bday card boy, are you crazy or what? LOL… *smiles*
What a great article… and perfect timing for me personally. As I sit here and procrastinate instead of finishing my thesis, I feel inspired to get back to work. The only way to reach a goal is to actually do the work required.
Great article! Thanks for that!!
Great article Tre… Loved the quotes.
LadiJai~ I wish you luck with the completion of your thesis, I remember those days. Glad this could help you and put you back on track. Thanks for reading.
I am on my own journey now. For the past 2 months, I have been on an exercise plan and changing my eating patterns. And so far I have been successful. Also Ill be starting school again in a few days. I am normally a procrastinator so I have already planned for my study schedule. I have decided that its time for me to take control of things in my life instead of how I have previously handled them. Thanks for the article!!
Thank you. As a college student, its always good to find new sources of motivation and encouragement. A quote that reminds me of this article is “What would you do if you knew you could not fail”. We are in charge of ourselves, but we all can surpass the limitations we put on ourselves to reach our goals.
Do u know how timely this is? I don’t think you understand how much I do. Let me show you by leading as a living example. Thanks sis for this. Now I’m a subscriber. :-)
I meant… how much I DO APPRECIATE you sharing this. lol Where’s an edit button? THANKS AGAIN!
My favorite quote: “Either get busy living or get busy dying.”- Shawshank Redemption
And that’s where I am with my goals…I want the dash in the middle of my born and when I go to have a FULL meatiness to it.
Thank you for the reminder!….kima
Tremaine as usual your articles are right on point! Thanks for this!
~Pele, thank you for reading and you’re welcome. I hope it has helped in some way.
~kimabe, that is a great quote to “live by.”
~Cola, once again, thank you.
Nice choice in topic. Thank you
[...] onto my life, so wouldn’t it be safe to assume that I should take it easy? If you remember my August article, you will remember me stating, “I do change when needed and wanted, but my daily adventures are [...]
Great piece! I think as far as discipline we can start small. Possibly with losing a few pounds like you mentioned. Once we get into the routine of discipline it will eventually become consistent.