{"id":3535,"date":"2012-09-17T16:33:35","date_gmt":"2012-09-17T22:33:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.colourfulpalate.com\/?p=3535"},"modified":"2012-09-18T23:53:09","modified_gmt":"2012-09-19T05:53:09","slug":"how-to-motivate-yourself","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.colourfulpalate.com\/?p=3535","title":{"rendered":"How to Motivate Yourself"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"How<\/p>\n

Happy Motivational Monday \u2013 and what better topic to discuss than motivation!<\/p>\n

Lately, I\u2019ve actually been struggling with motivation. I couldn\u2019t figure out why and it was really frustrating me.<\/p>\n

Often I hear the advice for motivating yourself was to remind yourself of personal goals, creating an \u201cInspiration Board\u201d<\/a>, writing down reasons for your goals, listening to that one stirring song, or reading inspirational quotes. While these are good ideas \u2013 they are short-term and extrinsic influences. They work well when you\u2019re already somewhat motivated \u2013 but not when you\u2019re in the slumps of de-motivation (my newly coined phrase).<\/p>\n

The other day I had to really think about how my sources of motivation. The things that usually enthused me like crazy had absolutely no effect \u2013 I simply didn\u2019t care. Normally I\u2019m driven and determined with an \u201cI can do whatever I set my mind to\u201d attitude, but I was in a state where I felt like maybe I just couldn\u2019t do it all. I just didn\u2019t feel like it.<\/p>\n

\"Motivation<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve ever felt like that, you know it\u2019s discouraging. You also know that reading a motivational quote at that moment is not going to do anything \u2013 except maybe depress you because you feel like you can\u2019t live up to the splendor of the words.<\/p>\n

So how do you get out of that kind of slump? How do you fill yourself full of motivation again?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

On Saturday, I kept thinking about it \u2013 normally I\u2019m happy to pursue my projects, assignments, deadlines, family projects, do my workouts, and eat healthy.<\/p>\n

Yet, as I mindlessly plowed through a workout I had no desire to do, I wondered, \u201cWhy does everything sound hard? Why don\u2019t I feel as driven right now?\u201d<\/p>\n

I asked myself what pieces are in place when I\u2019m feeling the MOST MOTIVATED<\/strong><\/span> and then I realized what the problem was. If you\u2019re struggling with motivation, then maybe you should ask yourself the same question.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what I discovered \u2013 when I\u2019m the most motivated\/most excited about life I do THESE THINGS<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

I am rested and sleep well at night<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Despite Project Morning Person<\/a>, I haven\u2019t slept well in a while. People, I\u2019m sure you know that if you\u2019re exhausted EVERYTHING sounds like a drag \u2013 except maybe a pint of cookie dough ice-cream and a long sleep. Not only that, but it\u2019s harder to make good decisions when you\u2019re tired, which is where the ice-cream often comes in. I really need to work on this. I\u2019m learning how to get up early, but I haven\u2019t fixed the part where you go to bed early too.<\/p>\n

I have quality time with God every day \u2013 not just reading the His Word, but having good talks with Him and having an attitude of learning from Him<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

While I try not to ever skip time with God, lately it\u2019s been quicker since I\u2019ve been getting up early with school. When this piece of my life is out of balance, everything else is too. I\u2019m learning to take advantage of all my long car travel time for praying \u2013 it\u2019s so awesome!<\/p>\n

\"Strength<\/p>\n

I workout, but I also have rest days<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Lately I think I\u2019ve been over-training. I do hard workouts every day and I started wondering why yesterday I could do 25 pushups and today I\u2019m struggling with just 10. This makes it feel like you\u2019re getting \u201cworse\u201d at being fit, rather than stronger every day \u2013 which is disheartening. I\u2019ll do a workout and be shaking through it wishing it was over (and I love working out). The over-training mixed with being overtired make the combination even worse.<\/p>\n

I think you can workout 5-6 days a week, but alternate days between intense and intermediate workouts. I\u2019m going to be switching my workout schedule so I don\u2019t do HIIT or circuit training every day, but mix in some lighter workouts like short runs or Pilates in between the harder days.<\/p>\n

I eat well (meaning less sugar and carbs) and drink lots of water<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

When I get tired I crave sugar and carbs. It\u2019s a vicious cycle because the more carbs and sugar you consume, the more tired you get.<\/p>\n

I keep myself organized<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

From recipe development deadlines, college assignments, website to-dos, and home projects I try to tackle small bits of things ever day. Once I let the work pile up, I can get overwhelmed because everything needs to be done at once! Time needs to be made for some relaxing (it\u2019s good for your brain, body, and spirit) \u2013 even if it\u2019s just 30 minutes in bed reading or having a hot bath.<\/p>\n

So largely, summed up, the key for me to stay motivated and excited about life is:<\/p>\n