How to Stay Motivated
Much of our lives are dull and monotonous. In the world of distraction we live in, staying motivated is monumental. Different people are motivated by different things. But one thing is for sure, without motivation, we cannot achieve anything great in life.
In a recent mission trip to India, I came across a couple of gigantic elephants tied to a rickety tree. I found it amusing that these giant creatures were held captive by a thin rope tied to their back legs. It was obvious that the elephants could break free from their captivity at will but for some reason, they did not.
Curious, I asked the Mahout (elephant trainer) why the elephants did not make any effort to free themselves? With a big grin on his face, the Mahout replied, “When the elephants were very young and much smaller, we used the same sized rope to tie them down. At that age, it was enough to keep them from running away. As the elephants grew up, they were conditioned to believe that they cannot break away. They still believe that the little resistance from that flimsy rope can hold them back, so they never try to break free.”
Like these mighty elephants, we too are often bound by our self-limiting beliefs. We are born with no fear and intense ability to achieve anything. As a child, we fall but never give up trying. However, as we get older, we begin to form negative belief from our negative experiences. People tell us what we can or cannot do. Little by little we start to lose confidence. We begin to doubt ourselves and eventually settle for mediocrity.
Today, we have good news for you. No matter what experiences you’ve had in the past; no matter what people have told you, you can break free and fulfil your destiny. You don’t have to be bound by invisible chains any longer. Let me share with you five keys to motivate yourself.
1. Visualize your dream. Whether it is to lose weight, live in health, or achieve a certain financial goal, you have to see yourself already possessing your dream and enjoying life. Don’t just keep track of your past victories and triumphs; create a vision board where you can display your dream.
2. Identify your why. Write down a list of the reasons why you want to accomplish your goals. Research shows that when we write down with our hands, it engages our brain more effectively. So start by jotting down your why. Knowing your why will keep you motivated when you feel like giving up on your dream.
3. Count the cost. Decide what you’re willing to give up in exchange for achieving your goal. It may require a new eating habit, giving up TV, or advancing your skill. Unless we’re willing to make temporary sacrifice, we cannot have lasting success.
4. Devise a strategy. Lao Tzu said, “The journey of a thousand mile begins with one step.” Knowing where you’re going is half way getting there. In order to get to your destination, you need a road map. Break down your goals into bite size pieces. Lay out periodical goals. Evaluate and execute your goals daily, weekly, and monthly. Be flexible to change your methods.
5. Develop your fav five team. There will be times of doubts and defeat. You need a fabulous five cheerleading squad. Surround yourself with a small team of people who believe in you no matter what. You’re in it to win it. When you’re down, these are the people who will cheer you on to your victory.
Friend, God didn’t create you for mediocrity. He put gifts and talents in you. He put the dreams and desires in you. You’re created for greatness. You’re endued with power from on high. Jesus and the Holy Spirit are interceding for you and your success. Don’t look back to your past failures. Don’t let your self-limiting thoughts hold you back any longer. Delete imaginations and negative words, well-meaning people have spoken over you. Reprogram your mind with the Word of God that will propel you to your prosperity – body, mind, spirit, and soul. I believe in you. God believes in you. Now it’s time for you to believe in yourself. You and God can achieve anything. Motivate yourself to go get what belongs to you. I love you and I’m praying for you!
“We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne” (Hebrews 12:2 NLT).
