Staying motivated can be rough, especially in the summer. Summer is for relaxing, not worrying about school, and kicking your feet up at a beach. But staying motivated during the summer is important. You probably have job, you could be in school, or you're trying to reach some personal goals of yours. No matter what the reason, you need to stay motivated and on top of your tasks which is harder when it's sunny and nice outside. Trust me, all I wanna do is kick my feet up at a pool or on a beach and drink a beer. But I have so many responsibilities that it's hard to kick back. I stay motivated by writing down everything I have to do during the week every Sunday. I then schedule some "me time" and it doesn't matter what it is as long I'm relaxed and have my tasks done for that day. I have many other ways to stay motivated so from one adult to another here are 11 ways I stay motivated.
1. Keeping a planner
In college my planner was like my baby but it took me a while to get used to writing in one. Once I got the hang of it, it became a huge part of my week and days. Now that I am out of college my planner is still my baby. Between two jobs, working out, and moving my planner keeps me sane (well, almost sane). My planner is something I keep in my purse and always by my side. I look at it every morning and every night before bed. If there's one simple way to stay motivated it's keeping a planner, and ACTUALLY USING IT.
2. Pinterest Boards
I am completely obsessed with Pinterest and I have more boards than one person needs. I use it for recipes, organization tips, DIY projects, books to read, decor, you name it I probably have a board for it. Pinterest is a great way to stay motivated. Especially if you're like me and don't really know any workout moves. Pinterest is my go to for new workout moves, exercise lists, and even exercise playlist ideas. I also use Pinterest for food ideas such as entrees, breakfast ideas, and even sweet treats. I've been using it lately for ideas for healthy foods and snacks and it keeps me motivated. Honestly without Pinterest I would be less motivated than I was in high school and let me tell you I hated every aspect of high school.
3. Keeping a journal
Journaling is a good way to stay motivated. This one isn't about writing down your daily or weekly tasks or remembering to do pay a bill. This one is about you and your thoughts. Life can be crazy, insane, and overwhelming. One thing that being in CHAARG taught me is to keep a journal and write in it twice a day. Once in the morning after you wake up and once before bed. They call it the 5 minute journal but sometimes you need more than five minutes to express yourself. I love keeping a journal because sometimes you need to be alone with your thoughts. When I'm writing a journal entry it's a little chaotic but at least it all makes sense to me. As long as what your writing is benefiting you and your mind then it doesn't matter if there's a run on sentence or if one paragraph is technically too long or if you're not using proper grammar. But to be honest keeping a clean and clear journal will help you if you go back to read what you wrote.
4. Dry erase board
A dry erase board is an easy way to write down quick tasks. I recommend putting it on a wall by your door that way you look at when you leave every day. It's kind of like a haunting reminder to get your life together. I like using my dry erase board for things I need to remember, or cleaning tasks that way I can wipe them away. Get it? Because they're cleaning tasks.
5. Cork boards
You might be surprised how helpful a cork board can be. You can pin ideas to it, destinations, your next bill, anything you want on it. This board will give you the motivation to go that place you've been looking at for months, or purse that idea that's been in your mind, or ya know pay that bill that's been hanging up there for two weeks. If you're "completing tasks" on your cork board, take down the picture, sentence, or paragraph after you've completed it.
6. Notes on your computer
When I was in college my sticky notes on my laptop were the bees knees. I used it mostly for class work but once I starting becoming involved with organizations they became almost as good as my physical planner. I also used it for sporting events and which events I needed to photograph for the BG News. If your computer has sticky notes for your laptop or desktop, use them or any kind of note that can just to right on your start up screen. It'll be the first and last thing you'll see when using your computer.
7. Sticky notes around the house
Putting sticky notes around my house no only motivates me but reminds me what tasks I need to so in each room. I am especially motivated in the bathroom in the morning because I like to out positive quotes on the mirror to start my day.
8. Phone Notes
Like the stick notes on your computer or your planner, your phone also has a calendar and ways to write down tasks, lists or thoughts. I use my phone like I use my planner but on a smaller level. I write in my work schedule, shipping lists, and important things like passwords. Utilize your phone in other ways rather than texting or social media, use it to keep your life together.
9. Alarms
You may think that alarms are just a way to wake you up but they can be more than that. I use my alarms for the obvious things like to wake up in the morning, when to leave for work, and for breaks. But I also use it to monitor my tasks and my "me time". I don't want my tasks to run too long, only long enough to finish something, and I also don't let my "me time" run too long either. My days usually give little something like this: wake up, shower, eat, leave, work, get home, relax, eat, clean something, go to bed. I set new alarms every day keeping me on track.
10. Taking a walk
Taking a walk might seem like a way to workout, or pass time. But it's also a way to clear your head and forget anything that has been bothering you. This actually helps me out a lot because after a long or short walk I feel ready to do anything.
11. Keeping your head up
This
is the most cliche way I can tell you to stay motivated. But it's true.
Holding your head up high and staying positive will keep you motivated.
Motivation is about staying positive and staying positive will