The idea of a fresh start is highly appealing and ambitions tend to run high. What starts out as a good intention can quickly turn into a source of stress when motivation becomes scarce. Ditch the guilt and fear of failure by using these simple tips for staying motivated.

Set a Goal(s)

What do you want to accomplish? Think long and hard about the things you would like to do or things you would like to change in your life. Whether it is a short term or long term goal, break it down into however many steps you’ll need to complete it. Goals should be exciting, not daunting. Do not let it overwhelm you.

Make a To-Do List

Take some time to figure out if a daily or weekly to-do list works better for you and then make one. For example, if your goal is to get your entire house organized, split up that enormous task into several work days. Monday could be organizing your living room, Tuesday the kitchen, etc. Remember to keep your schedule flexible and allow for things that will inevitably pop up. At times we may feel discouraged because we feel we will never reach our end goal. Keeping a to-do list will help you document and realize all of the little things you do daily as you continue working on your goals.

Be Kind to yourself

It is easy to feel frustrated when you aren’t meeting your goals as quickly as you want to. However, picking yourself apart is not going to get you there any faster. If you find yourself lacking motivation, skip the internal guilt and restart right where you are. Grant yourself some leniency and try your best. 

Rewards/Bribes/Presents

Whatever you choose to call it, treat yourself! If you are someone who is highly motivated by gifts, set up a reward system for yourself.  Choose a system that coincides with you reaching specific milestones. You know how hard you’ve been working, why not celebrate? This is an excellent way to maintain motivation and excitement toward reaching your goals.

Ask for Help

There is no shame in asking for help. The people in your life want you to succeed. They will want to help you and are likely just waiting for you to ask. If you want to get the most out of the help you get from outside sources, make sure you are specific about what you need when asking. This will require some thought. Sit down and make a list of things your support system can help you with. Consider the strengths of the people you want to ask. You can also find people with similar goals and work together on achieving them. Having a support system is a great way to stay motivated and accountable.

There are few things better than the satisfaction of completing an extremely challenging goal. Stay motivated and don’t give up. Get out there and crush those goals!