Lets Stay Motivated!

Canyon anch Zwift Ride

19 Highly Effective Ways to Stay Motivated Everyone is motivated by different things.

Understanding what motivates you can make the difference between success and failure. BY LOLLY DASKAL

From:

https://www.inc.com/lolly-daskal/19-simple-ways-to-stay-motivated-that-actually-work.html

In today's competitive work environment, our greatest untapped resource may be our own motivation.

But what happens when you can't find your motivation or you can't stay motivated long enough to finish a project or even keep up with daily tasks?

You need find your motivation--but where?

You find it within, because all all motivation is self-motivation.

What drives us to stay motivated is as individual as who we are, so you need to tailor a motivational that will resonate with you.

The more you know and understand yourself, the more effective your efforts will be.

Here are 19 simple strategies you can try:

1. Understand your why.

Sometimes it's not so much the what or the how that matters, but your why--the purpose behind what you're doing.

Being clear about what you're working for can give you the stimulus to stay on course.

2. Define your goal. 

Defined goals put your ideas into action mode.

It's the vital step between planning and doing.

3. Create a clear vision.

If you want to succeed, you must create a clear compelling vision, something that you can relate to and resonate with.

If it doesn't speak to your heart, it won't motivate you to stay on target.

Create the highest grandest vision possible, because you can achieve only what you see.

4. Produce a plan. 

Once you have a goal in place, a plan is will take your vision and break down the steps you need to get it done.

A goal without a plan, as we know, is just a dream.

5. Look for the bigger picture. 

When you have to stay motivated, think of the bigger picture.

How does this relate not only to yourself but to others? How will it contribute to something important? Where will this make a difference?

To accomplish more, think bigger.

6. Keep it positive. 

Positive thoughts lead to positive actions, and self-affirming statements will help you to achieve your best.

Take control of how you think, how you feel, how you act.

Positivity will help you make the choices that lead to accomplishment.

7. Approach tasks in new ways. 

Sometimes just getting started might be the problem.

A different approach might give you a new perspective and more energy.

8. Break goals into manageable tasks.

One important key to your success will be your ability to break down your goals into shorter-term and smaller single tasks.

Keep things manageable.

9. Get organized. 

Make sure your workplace is uncluttered so your mind can be organized.

A calm environment gives you a better chance of being more efficient and productive.

10. Tackle procrastination head on. 

Don't make excuses or waste time rationalizing why you haven't already started.

Instead, try to uncover the real reason for the delay and get to work immediately.

The best way to begin something is just to begin.

11. Seize the power of deadlines. 

Setting a time limit for an activity will enable you to assemble your resources and materials toward accomplishing things you might not otherwise get done.

12. Stop multitasking. 

Don't divide your attention but give your full and undivided self to the task at hand.

When you do, your chances for success go way up.

13. Starve your distractions. 

Do what you need to do to stop being distracted by people, tasks, or electronics.

Devise strategies to help you start and complete tasks without any distractions or interruptions.

14. Stay in the zone.

Your best and most productive work is usually done when you're in the zone.

Ask yourself how to create the perfect environment for you to do your best work and keep at it until you're done.

15. Choose success. 

Choose to be successful, then stick to your choice and see it through to a conclusion.

By creating a mental picture of yourself successfully completing a job, you can increase your chances of success.

16. Keep it fun.

If you seriously want to stay motivated, find a way to make it fun.

Fun is not the enemy but a great motivator.

17. Harness the power of optimism. 

Belief that you can accomplish something is essential to your ability to do it.

Optimism is the foundation of progress.

18. Reward yourself. 

Learn what it takes to get yourself to complete dreaded tasks and set up a system of rewards for completion.

19. Visualize yourself succeeding. 

Visualization is a powerful technique that can help you to focus, stay motivated and achieve your goals.

By creating a mental picture of yourself successfully completing a job, even the worsts tasks can feel like part of achieving something big.

Remember, motivation starts within. Find it, keep it and make it work for you.

---

25 Healthy Holiday Choices

Here are 25 tips that will keep you on track this holiday season.

Eat early.

Don't skip breakfast, says Amy Jamieson-Petonic, a registered dietitian.

“Don’t let last night’s big meal keep you from having a healthy breakfast today, and every day,” she says. If you don’t commit to breakfast, you may spend the rest of the day overeating.

Graze.

Eat small meals throughout the day.

It helps you keep your blood sugar and energy levels steady.

You'll be less likely to feel moody or stressed, and you’ll be less likely to overeat at parties.

Also, if you don’t arrive at the party with an empty stomach, alcohol won't hit you as hard.

Work out.

Exercise keeps your metabolism going, helps you digest and burn off calories, and can stabilize your mood.

Do a trade-off.

“For every alcoholic drink you have during the holidays, tell yourself you need to be physically active for 30 minutes to burn it off,” says Jamieson-Petonic, who's also an exercise physiologist.

Stay hydrated.

Choose water or low-calorie drinks .

A handy tip: “Twenty ounces of water 20 minutes before each meal keeps you hydrated while reducing cravings and calories when you eat,” Jamieson-Petonic says.

Pack snacks.

Heading to the airport? Make sure to bring some healthy snacks, like trail mix, whole-grain crackers, or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Map it out.

Road tripping?

Plan ahead, so you can stop where healthy food is available.

Ditch the comfy pants.

Loose-fitting clothes make it easier to overeat, Jamieson-Petonic says.

Wear form-fitting garments that will let you know you're overdoing it.

Lighten your drink.

A wine spritzer is a festive way to keep calories and alcohol content low.

Or consider light beer or a mixed drink with half a shot in it -- make sure the mixer is low- or no-cal.

Simply sip.

Make that drink last all night by taking tiny sips.

You'll cut down on calories, and also keep a clear head all night.

Window shop.

Buffet time? Cruise the food before digging in.

Think through what's offered, and pick only the things you really, truly want.

Veg out.

Hit the crunchy vegetables. Hard. They'll fill you up, making you less likely to overeat.

Go lean.

Choose lean proteins: turkey (without the skin), fish (skip the fatty sauce), and pork.

They can fill you up and give you lots of energy.

Embrace the season.

Enjoy the festive holiday fare you can't get any other time of year, like stuffing and pumpkin pie.

Have those special foods in small amounts, but avoid things you can get all year, like mashed potatoes.

Give in.

If a tiny portion of pie won't cut it, then eat a full slice, just this once.

But consider leaving the crust, which is filled with saturated fat and calories.

Think small.

Always use a small plate if there’s a choice. That helps you keep portions modest.

Don’t crowd your plate.

Play that game you used to play as a kid -- don't let your foods touch.

Do it yourself.

Bring your own amazing, low-cal dish.

Make your contribution something super-healthy and extremely tasty that you love.

If all the other offerings are too rich or fatty, you can rely on your own cooking.

Step aside.

When you’ve had your fill at the buffet table, move away.

The farther you are from the food, the less you'll try to get back to it.

If you have to stand in the same room with the food, keep your back to it.

Have one bite.

Eat all the desserts you want -- but just a bite of each.

That, Jamieson-Petonic says, is a way to not feel shortchanged -- but also not go overboard.

Choose fruit.

Contribute to the party by bringing a big fruit salad.

The sugars in fruit can squelch your desire for other sweets.

Get chatty.

Look for chances to catch up with friends and family you haven't seen in a while, Jamieson-Petonic says.

Focus on conversation, and you’ll eat less.

Savor your food.

Taking time to appreciate each bite can help you eat less, Jamieson-Petonic says.

Take stock.

When holiday food cravings hit, stop and ask yourself, “Am I really hungry?”

Just a few seconds might reveal that you’re really just tired or sad or feeling something else that's not hunger.

A little talk with yourself can spare you some unwanted calories.

Breathe and have fun.

Remember that the holidays are about spending time with relatives and friends.

Take a deep breath, smile, and connect.

Eat all the desserts you want -- but just a bite of each. -- Amy Jamieson-Petonic, RD

hope you all have a great week and as always

Be Kind, Do fearless