Motivation: how to keep on going

My article today is about Motivation. How to stay motivated? How to keep up with new good habits that still require some effort and discipline? How not to drop it all and choose the "easier" way?

As a Holistic Health Coach, I see people who are really committed at first, but then drop everything because they realize it might not be as easy as they thought. Yes, they quit even though they know those changes were good for them and they should continue.

So, how do you take all the chances on your side and keep on doing what you have already started?

1. Find Your ONE Goal

You have to find your purpose in life. What will make you wake up in the morning, strong, determined and smiling? This goal cannot be just "losing weight" or "being healthy" or "getting a new promotion at work." It has to be something that truly, deeply excites you - as much as it scares you. Think BIG.

If you can't find anything, maybe ask yourself what you DON'T want. This can actually help you open your eyes about what you truly want. To find this ONE GOAL, you have to connect with yourself deeply and not lie to yourself. It is not about what you think others expect from you. It is about what you deeply, truly feel and what makes you jump around like a kid.

Take time to figure out what that is. It is truly important.

2. Be Conscious of Every Single Choice

When you have this ONE GOAL in your head, it is easier to make the right decisions. Either you make a decision that will get you closer to your goal, or one that will take you further away.

If your goal is to run your next marathon, and you are scared and excited just thinking about it, it is easier to choose organic vegetables with grass-fed meat rather than processed burgers. If your goal is to travel the world for 6 months and you need to save money, it is easier to say no to that unnecessary purchase.

Knowing where you are going in life is crucial. Don't let diversions take you off your path. It is all about knowing what you want and taking responsibility for it.

3. Remember Why You Chose to Start

Whatever you changed in your daily routine, there is always a very good reason why you first started. Be confident and trust yourself. Remember how you were feeling before, and how you are feeling now. If you can already perceive some positive changes, that is the best reason not to quit.

Unfortunately we tend to forget how bad we were before, because humans remember good things and are quite creatures of comfort! But it is more difficult to live unhappy and feeling not at your best, rather than putting in effort to improve your life.

4. Write a Journal

As I said, we tend to forget how much we have progressed since we started making changes. Writing a journal and reporting regularly what you are doing, how you are feeling, and all the emotional and physical changes in you, can help you realize how far you have come.

Having a journal is an amazing way to communicate with yourself - to understand your strengths and weaknesses, and realize how you are evolving and becoming a better you.

Whenever you feel lost or are losing faith and motivation, read it again. See how the changes you have made have been helping you, and remember that the most difficult step is not continuing - it is the first step towards change.

YES, there will be days where you are down and doubting everything. This is normal. It is even necessary. Embrace those days and take the best out of them. Other days, you will feel unstoppable. This is all part of the journey - and remember: the journey is what counts. Enjoy it.

5. Make Your Own Dream Board

A dream board is a collection of pictures, texts and quotes that represent your dream life - everything you want to achieve in your personal and professional life, family, love, friends. Things that inspire you, people who are role models to you.

By setting it up, you start creating your own new reality. By looking at it every day, you remember what you are looking for in life and what changes you have to make to achieve it. Unconsciously, this will influence the decisions you make and the way you live your life.

Make it very personal - you don't need to show it to anyone. We all have dreams that even we think are completely mad. That doesn't matter. Just collect what resonates with you. Go back and check it as much as possible, especially on more difficult days.

A Personal Note

Many people ask me how I manage to always eat so healthily and have the holistic lifestyle as part of me now. I started because I had no choice - I was in such a terrible health state that I HAD TO MAKE CHANGES. And yes, it took some effort at the beginning. But as I started feeling better and seeing a real difference in my physical, mental and emotional state, things became clearer: I didn't want to go back to how I was before, never again.

Today, those new habits are part of me. The same way you brush your teeth every day, I added new "routine habits" that I don't even overthink anymore. It is easy, it is part of me, and that's it.

Am I perfect all the time? Hell NO. But am I taking care of myself and making better decisions? HELL YES.

In Love and Happiness,

Stephanie