Some things you need to know about motivation:

• It isn’t some magical thing that will appear from a fairy godmother (I have been watching to much Cinderella!), from wishing, hoping or praying.
• It will come and go – some days it will last longer than others
• It is situational – when doing a workout, when talking to someone or listening to someone, doing something, being somewhere
• It is EVERYWHERE – watching, reading, being, Facebook, Blogs!

I love reading motivational quotes, posting them on Facebook for people to read, I love the ones that really make me stop and think. Now you could be motivated by spending time on Social Media or going to a special event or meeting someone new – whatever your motivation is – Nothing Matters until you do something about it.

Your feelings of motivation MUST turn into Action

One of the best ways to do this is by writing out your goals and having daily motivation tips! Don’t leave yet, please keep reading – when I start talking about goals and setting goals, that is when I start to lose people, but I promise it will be worth it if you keep reading!

‘Your Drive for what it is you wish to achieve, is what fuels your Motivation.’

If you are serious about getting the results you want, it is time to put pen to paper! Or fingers to keyboard!

You need to map out what it is you ACTUALLY want, how you are going to achieve it and most importantly, WHY you want to achieve it.

If you have tears in your eyes when writing the Why – that is absolutely fine – having an emotional connection to your goals and dreams will give you more power and determination to achieve big things! If you don’t have that connection, your ‘plans’ to do something will fly out the window with the slightest excuse!

If you are the creative type, why not make a vision board? Hang it on your wall, put it as your screen saver – so that you can refer to it constantly and be reminded about what you are aiming for! Make it easily changable, so you can add things you want to achieve, or take things off when you have achieved them!

Be prepared to refresh your motivation daily and then have the discipline and belief in yourself to follow through and take positive action!

Inspiration

Being in the great job I am in, I am inspired everyday! From chatting to clients and what they have achieved, to jumping on the Fit & Fab Mummy Bootcamp forum, too the emails I get! I love it!

I get inspired by blogs and articles I read, to quotes that pop up on my Facebook feed, by new ideas that pop into my head. Inspiration & Motivation is endless, you just have to take it under your wing and go with it. Use anything that inspires you and motivates you, to become a better version of YOU!

Family

I am motivated every day by my family! Without their support, encouragement, smiles, hugs, kisses and funny comments and helping me relax and enjoy life, I know my life wouldn’t be the same!

Focusing on Change, not just results

How often do you sit down and reflect on your day – I am guessing it might only happen over the dinner table, while you are telling your partner about all the stuff you did today. I could bet that majority of it was not all the good stuff you did, or things you achieved!

Why not take a few minutes each day – even when you have gotten into bed, just to think about all the great things you achieved that day – be it big or small. Have a think if there are any things you want to improve on. Then wake up the next morning, and feel refreshed, knowing that you are going to make some positive changes today! It might only be a small change, but it will be a change in the right direction!

This quote really says it all:

“If you focus on results you will never change. If you focus on change you will get results” – Jack Dixon

Focusing on change is the best way to get results. Take it one step at a time if you must. Make small improvements in your life, but make them incremental and do them daily. If you are on a journey of change – be it getting fitter, living a healthier lifestyle, being a more positive you, being a better mum, wife, friend, working less, stressing less – whatever it is in your life that you want to change – start with small improvements.

If you miss a workout, or have 1 too many tim tams, tomorrow is a new day. Take another step forward to achieve the results you want.

Once you start making positive changes in your life and in your mind, all the other results will follow!

I am hoping by now you have picked up a few ideas on how you can implement some changes into your life to boost your motivation and start achieving your goals.

But I have saved the best strategy for last! Of course I did! It’s a good one!

It may appear that I have a ‘perfect’ life and I have all my ‘sh*t’ together. I just want you to know that I do keep it ‘real’! I am a busy working mum, I am not always positive and cheerful (ask my hubby!), I do have the odd indulgence and mood swings! It would get pretty tiring to be 100% positive and 100% cheerful 24/7! And to me that wouldn’t be a balanced lifestyle.

So let’s get really real – I have bloated days, fat days, stressful days, moody days, mega busy days. I might get over it pretty quick, or it might take me a bit longer, but the key is and one that I do practice is to understand why these days happen, why these situations happen and get over it, be OK with it, let it go. Tomorrow is a new day – knowing that I will be better than I was yesterday. We are all a work in progress to living the life we want to live!

Now there are mistakes and there are excuses. Making mistakes is a learning experience, its part of a process, a process of growing and developing. If you make mistakes, it means you are giving whatever it is a go. You are out there doing something.

The key however is, to make NEW mistakes – think of them as stepping stones – they will let you know what doesn’t work, so that you can keep working towards what will work.

‘If you make the same mistake twice it is no longer a mistake – it is a Choice. Consider what you are choosing to do. If it does not align with your dreams and goals then change it.’

Now is the time to experience a positive difference in how you are living your life – it might be in health & fitness, your relationship with your partner or your parenting, no matter what it is – it begins NOW!