GETTING MOTIVATED

The start of a new school year is always a good opportunity to re-motivate.  I like to use the summer slowdown to relax, rewind, and reflect.  Back to school means back to routines and more focused work.

The summer provides time to take a step back to look at the big picture of your life so you can clarify goals and desires.  What does living my "best life" look like?  What can I do to get there?

Starting with your ultimate goal and developing small steps to achieve it, will point you in the right direction.  How can you motivate yourself to get through the steps?  Here are a few pointers:

1.  Small Steps.  Don't bite off too much; make each step achievable.  For example, if you're looking to earn a graduate degree, think of each course as a step in the process.  

2.  Reward yourself.  Even small accomplishments should be recognized.  The reward does not need to be grand or expensive, but the acknowledgement that you have achieved something will motivate you to move forward.

3.  Hardest first.  We often hesitate to begin because we fear what is most difficult.  By doing the hardest tasks first, we get them out of the way and the rest appears easier and within reach.