Everywhere you go, you hear people talk about motivation. How they are going to lose weight, quit smoking, going to eat healthy. And few weeks into their new resolutions, what do most people end up saying, ‘I don’t get enough time. I don’t feel motivated enough.’
Don’t some days feel like so sane and sound while others just take their toll on us? One day we feel so inspired, and on others we just can’t seem to get out of bed. What makes us feel this way?
We all dig comfort and when things change ever so slightly, we can’t seem to get hold of ourselves. We resist any change because it feels so hard.
It has been a month since I decided that I would walk at least 30 minutes a day as I believe (and everybody else I know) that taking care of our body must be our top priority. Initially, it felt like such a huge thing despite being a rather easy task. I kept to it. Now it just feels routine, part of each day.
I am sure most of you feel like giving up because you started something with planning and vigor, but as things stand, you feel like you have not achieved much or haven’t had the results you were expecting.
All this is very common when you try to make positive changes in your life. When you decide to do anything of consequence in life, this feeling of quitting will try to take over you. But it is at moments like these that you must take a firm resolve to keep going because what you do then decides where your life will go.
The biggest problem that we all face in our busy lives is losing the right perspective. We go through our days, our routine in a funk. The monotony makes us feel like our lives have lost any semblance of meaning. And we feel that whatever we are doing does not make much difference, to our or somebody else’s life.
When you feel like this, think why you are doing what you are doing. You will get answers that will make you see everything in a different light. Maybe:
• You want to get healthier so that you feel better about yourself.
• Support and keep your family safe.
• Explore the world and its magical wonders.
Whatever you wish to do, write down the answers on a piece of paper or make a note on your mobile phone. The next time you feel like quitting, read the answers. It will instantly cheer you up and keep you motivated.
Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together. – Marilyn Monroe
When things get tough, we all feel like throwing in the towel and going home. But what good will come of it? Whenever things have been tough, I have realized that if I kept going, life just seemed to take a proper course, sooner or later.
Being at a low point forces you to change your attitude and find more effective ways to do things.
Life takes on some kind of balance if you just keep going, keep taking action instead of giving up. This way, even on the darkest days, you can gather some comfort and strength.
“When you encounter various trials, big or small, be full of joy. They’re opportunities to learn patience.” – Scott Curran
The ability to tolerate problems, delay, or suffering without getting anxious or annoyed is Patience. Seems like a quality only monks have!
In this age of instant gratification, we tend to forget that the best things in life are not delivered instantly. Anything of significant value requires consistency and hard work.
People who master patience feel confident, decisive, and have a rational outlook. They understand that the desire to speed things up is natural, but deep down they know that the road to success is paved with patience and persistence.
So, don’t beat yourself up needlessly for the things you did in the past. Focus more on the process and less on the results. You are okay. Calm down and be patient.
Whatever you are going through – job loss, depression, heartache, loss of a loved one, I would say this – Hold on and remember that ‘This too shall pass.”
Out there, people are going through difficult situations, setbacks, and obstacles, and there is always someone whose story you can relate to. Find someone who went through a situation similar to yours. How did they outdo difficult circumstances? Use their experience to guide yourself. Learn from them, how they achieved the outcome you also desire.
If you can’t find someone to open up to or those close to you are finding it difficult to help with a situation, you can seek support groups available online.
I think we all should remember this – Life is hard, and it does not pamper anybody. Every time it soothes you, it gives you ten blows.
Just like a wave has crests and troughs, our life follows the same principle. Accept that life won’t always be roses and sunshine. Things will get tough, so just keep going.
Nobody has it easy, be it the neighbor who you feel has got it all figured out quite early in the life or a colleague who has not missed a promotion in the last 5 years. When you give in to unnecessary comparisons or feel stuck in a rut – declutter, reset, and refocus. Get back to a clean slate and assess what you are actually working for in life, in career. Take some ‘me time’ and see if your priorities need readjustment. This will help you move forward with a clearer mind.
When you feel like quitting, remember that your goals are IMPORTANT. Resist the urge to abandon them. Giving up is easier but continue anyway because it will make your life better and you know that. Stay focused and don’t sweat the small stuff.
“Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success.” —Pablo Picasso
After giving a sincere thought to what you really want to do with your life, you have set goals for yourself. Kudos to you!
You have something important to finish. Maybe a work assignment, a household chore you have been avoiding for long, or just getting your room clean.
And just as you are about to get up and get going, you are reminded of something else. Completely unrelated.
It is OK to take a day off in a week, but when every day’s a lazy day, there is definitely a problem. Often, laziness has a deeper cause that we do not want to think about.
This week I would like to share habits that have helped me stop being a lazy butt and get what really matters done. (This obviously does not mean that I don’t like to have some guilt-free lazy time!)
What’s holding you back?
Fear of putting yourself out there in public. Fear of being judged. Fear of not being good enough. Fear of choosing the wrong path.
Have you ever felt that what you were told about the world while growing up does not match with the reality?
I sometimes do. But when I think about this mismatch, I feel it is rather empowering to face certain truths of life.