When we launch into the field of self improvement and spirituality, we tend to have lots of enthusiasm, inspiration and eagerness. But, this initial eagerness often wanes and we can find ourselves struggling for motivation and inspiration.
These are some practical ways to regain our motivation.
Spend Time With Those Who Are Motivated
We are easily influenced by people around us. If we spend time with motivated and focused people, their energy will imperceptibly rub off on us. If we want to improve our running, we need to seek the company of other runners. If we want to maintain a regular meditation practice we should meditate with others once a week. When we see others making progress, we feel that we too can make the same progress. There is a saying ‘Birds of a feather flock together’ If we spend time with like minded people they will definitely inspire and motivate ourselves.
Remember Our Early Enthusiasm
If we have been practising something for several years, it can become routine. What we need to do is remember our initial enthusiasm. Remember what is was like to discover the simple act of meditation. It is also helpful to keep a journal of memorable experiences. Remembering these good experiences will help them to feel more real in the present moment. The problem is that we can soon forget the good experiences, but, focus on present difficulties. We may need to use our imagination to remember past experiences, but, in imagination we help make it become a reality again.
Teaching Others.
I have been practising meditation for 10Â years and I find one of the best ways to maintain motivation for meditation is just talking about meditation to other people. When giving meditation classes, I don’t know how much others get from it, but, I know it’s good for me! I guess the important thing is that it reminds you of the essentials. Also by meeting beginners you gain some of their new interest and enthusiasm
Keep Life Simple.
In our modern life, we are very good at adding unnecessary complications. The problem is that there are so many different things to distract and pull our attention away. The more distractions we face, the more difficult it is to remain motivated, especially when it is our own practice of meditation / self improvement.
The most worthwhile things in life require patience, persistence and quiet determination. Self improvement is a life long process, it is not about instant self gratification. The problem comes when our attention becomes absorbed in innumerable outer activities – watching TV, focusing on work, reading newspapers. These activities don’t give any great inspiration, but, they are easy to do. What happens is that if our energies are dissipated on these passive activities our inner drive and motivation starts to fade. We cannot be a jack of all trades and master of everything. To maintain motivation for challenging activities, we need to retain a focus and be able to limit the distractions which try to pull us away.
Work Out The Priorities of Life
If we find ourselves lacking in motivation; we may have a finger in several pies. We are trying to do several things at once, but, none is really giving satisfaction. Look at how we spend our time and work out what is most important to us. By setting priorities, we give ourselves a chance to make a real go of our deep-seated aspirations. When we work out what is important, we don’t want to waste our time on inconsequential issues like trying to argue with stubborn people. 🙂
Change of Scene
If we coast along in a comfortable life, we become used to comfort and tend to choose simple, easy options. It is when faced with real challenges that we are forced to look at issues from a fresh perspective. Getting out of a comfort zone can be a very powerful way to regain motivation. When faced with adversity, it brings the best out in ourselves.
These are some things that help me from time to time. Is their anything else you could suggest to help regain lost motivation?
Photo by: Pranlobha, Sri Chinmoy Centre Galleries
You’ve covered most of, if not all, the ways to regain motivation, but please allow me to add this — stop thinking about the lost motivation and START doing something, anything!
Often times, we find ourselves thinking about “stuff” and ways if we actually invest the same amount of time into actually “doing” stuff, we’d be surprised at the things that we can achieve 😀
Excellent article! I think it’s especially important to surround ourselves with like-minded people, or even people who have already created some of what we wish to create in our own lives. We tend to attract people with like motivations, which keeps us in the same place. Stepping beyond our circle can often expand our consciousness.
Blessings,
Andrea
I like to take a walk somewhere where there is a nice view, which is easy where I live in BC. The fresh air, and the beautiful vista is inspiring.
thanku for this site!just because this site helped me in not only how to impress others and who to maintain our life thanku thanku very much