Climbing Out Of A Slump | 6 Ways To Self Motivate | Live Lovely

Climbing out of a slump is hard work. When you’re stressed, sad, or just exhausted, it can feel like you can never get the energy to let go, relax, or get your life back on track. You know you should sleep better, but you stay up late. You know you should have a morning routine that sets up your day, but you hit the snooze button over and over again. You know that you should work out, but you watch television instead. That you should eat healthier, but its so much easier just to heat something up quick or order out. That you should clean, but instead you leave the mess for later. That you should call a friend, but you isolate yourself instead. Its a tough cycle to crack, no matter which trap you find yourself locked in.  

The first step is simply doing something, even when you do not want to or feel like you can’t. Start small and you will find that you can make greater strides soon after. Sometimes the first step is doing something that makes you happy: listening to good music so that you can find the motivation to clean up, changing your morning alarm into a song that you love to make getting up easier, or leaving your phone out of your bedroom so you can’t go online when you should be sleeping. Baby steps. 

The point is, you have to try. It is not easy, but you have to do something if you want to break the bad cycle that you have found yourself in. 

If you’re picturing a better day or even a better life for yourself, but continuing down the same old tired path you always do, you have to change the script. 

Here are six ways to self-motivate to make the change, whatever change that may be. 

1. Be determined. You have to want to change enough to make it possible. If you’re not dedicated, then you’re doomed from the start. Write down what you want your new life to look like. And remember, the changes don’t have to be large to have an impact. 
2. Schedule your goals. You have to make time to make them happen. Put it on a calendar, use a digital reminder, or leave yourself sticky note reminders. 
3. Make the goals easier for yourself and harder to skip: set your alarm where you cannot hit the snooze button, lay out your gym clothes and shoes the night before so you’re ready for the gym in the morning with little effort, prepare healthy meals the night before so you can grab it and go on your way to work the next morning, etc. Brainstorm ways to make your goal easier to achieve. 
4. Get enough sleep. To reach for any goal, you have to be well rested. If you’re tired you’ll be less motivated and your will-power will be easier to break down. Set a bed time alarm and get ready for bed as soon as it goes off. Prepare yourself for bed by doing a calming activity like reading a book or meditating instead of playing video games, watching tv, or using your phone. Better to leave bright devices and lights off or on low an hour before bed. 
5. Tell others what you’re working on. Having other people know and ask about your goals may help hold you accountable. 
6. Appreciate your progress, no matter how small it may be. I found myself avoiding meditation, but when I did it I instantly felt the rewards: less stress and a sense of calm. I appreciated that feeling and knew that I wanted more of it. You too can use the power of appreciate to keep up your own progress.