Inspiration and motivation come to you in bursts and it’s amazing when it happens. At those times we feel ready to make the change, do the thing, be the best we can be…woohoo! But, as you probably know, the buzz wears off. Reality creeps back in. The hard feels hard again. That’s why you need habits to keep you going between those divine, woohoo moments. Habits are what will keep you moving forward so you do make the change, do the thing, become the best version of yourself. Or at least get closer…read on for 4 tips to stay motivated in between the divine.
I went to a retreat once and it was amazing- the glow of the experience lasted for weeks and weeks. I basked in it and felt lit up…for a while…but eventually, it faded.
That experience reminds me of moments of motivation and inspiration- when it feels easy to get caught up in the wave and we’re ready to do all the things and we’re on fire…until we aren’t.
The retreat made me feel like I had been dipped in a vat of golden light and energy. It was dripping off me. The whole thing was life-changing, energizing, life-affirming…I had big plans, I was love and light and everything was unfolding as it should…
But over time most of the golden light dripped off and faded. I returned to my pasty white self, winter dry skin and all. Wtf? How did that happen? Where’s that oozy, golden goodness? I wanted it back!
That glow? That place of feeling energized and invigorated and inspired and lit up? We need to tap into that to sustain us, to keep us going, to keep us growing, to move us forward.
How can we dip back into the golden stuff?
Just like we need to shower every day we need to dip in golden stuff every day…
And just like we shower every day, we also probably have days where we go “all-out” with our cleaning and grooming. Maybe for a vacation or a wedding or the start of summer…A long, steamy-hot shower, shaving, waxing, pedicure, maybe even a facial or massage whatever… For the “all-out” dip in golden stuff you might need a weekend away or a retreat or a course or a moon ceremony. A monthly or quarterly or semi-annual big dip.
In between the big dips, we can schedule little dips and, most importantly, daily dips.
How?
Ω Set up or find yourself a place you can come back to regularly. A regular mini-retreat of sorts to remind you of the golden stuff and dip you in again. A weekly call. Coaching. Accountability groups. Masterminds.
Ω Surround yourself with people you connect with on that level. People who dip in golden goodness and get it. Keep in touch with them.
Ω Put a daily practice in place. Books, videos on social media, meditations, podcasts. Tune into something each day that sparks that light. Even for a few minutes.
Ω Let what you see be a reflection of what you want. Follow people, watch things, read books that inspire you. There can still be plenty of time for the fluffier stuff, but make time for stuff that inspires, motivates, teaches, grows, makes you want to be a better person…
And back to the habit part…
Put habits in place that keep you anchored. Good habits are so important to creating a healthier, happier life. If you don’t have strong habits in place, start with one and go from there. But do it.
(How do you make something a habit? See this post on 7 Ways to Make Exercise a Habit for some ideas that apply to exercise and more!)
These habits will keep you coming back to the path that’s taking you where you want to go. (And the path is often really the whole shebang anyway.)
They will also anchor you during difficult times. Habits can be something you cling to when life gets hard; they can be the lifeline that keeps you from going completely off the rails.
Some examples of anchor habits…
*My morning workout is an anchor habit for my healthy lifestyle. It took time for it to become a habit and it ultimately became a part of who I am. I’m not training for a marathon or crushing any goals, but this exercise is time I make to take care of myself and a reflection of my goal of living a healthier, more fulfilled life.
*Daily quotes are an anchor habit for my business. Even when I’m not putting time into blog posts and coaching calls, posting these quotes in my groups, on Facebook and Instagram, keeps me in touch with my business. They keep me coming back to it instead of feeling like I’ve failed or abandoned it. When I’m not feeling inspired to write or can’t think of what to say in a video, these quotes are a safe, reliable, easy way to stay connected.
*Eating a healthy breakfast is an example. Even when we’re traveling or out of our normal routines, eating a healthy breakfast is one thing I can do, a way to maintain some kind of control and stay in touch with my inner clean-eating core. The rest of the day might go off the rails, but at least I started my day with a healthy meal.
There are lots of examples…
What are your anchor habits? Or what do you think could become an anchor habit for you?
Anchor habits are a daily connection to that dripping golden feeling that we get from moments of inspiration and lit-up motivation. Less exciting and drippy maybe, but a connection. They’re a way to keep going even when we don’t feel like it, to stay connected even when we feel like we really don’t care at the moment, to stay on the path even when we’d rather just cruise along in someone else’s backseat.
Motivation is beautiful, but so are habits. In a simpler way. Soak up that motivation when you can get it, but do the work to keep it going by putting habits in place.
Recap:
1. Make motivation a habit– tap into it regularly. Take a big dip a few times a year- a more immersive experience that will light you up in the area you’re focusing on. Plan regular dips with like-minded people- weekly or bi-weekly or at least monthly.
2. Keep in touch with like-minded people. They’ll be a reminder of what matters to you and inspiration when you’re feeling less than inspired.
3. Take daily dips– find daily inspiration where you can (books, podcasts, inspiring people on social media).
4. Put anchor habits in place.
How are you feeling after reading this? How are your habits? Are you wondering where to start, how to level up, or looking for someone to talk habits with? Reach out to me…I’d really love to hear from you! You can comment here, email me at mary@stayathomefit.com, or message me on Facebook or Instagram.
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