Motivation is the ability to stay positive, focused and proactive even when the going gets tough. The most powerful motivation of all comes from within – it comes from our heart, mind and spirit to succeed. Learning how to stay motivated and being able to draw from our inner motivators is a powerful life skill.

American Heritage Dictionary defines motivation this way: To provide with an incentive; move to action.

Motivation is more than rah-rah cheerleading - it is an ongoing lifestyle. The question becomes, what are the day-to-day incentives that can emotionally, physically and spiritually move you to consistent and positive action?

Here are 10 ways to foster and nurture those inner motivators:

1. Know what you want to accomplish with your life.
What is your mission, your purpose and the vision you have for living life? When you are 115 and rocking in your rocking chair, what do you want to share as your greatest accomplishments? Knowing the legacy you want to leave can be a huge motivator!

2. Know your “why” for going forward each day.
Your personal and professional “why” for living life is the reason you’ll excitedly get out of bed each morning and head toward an empowering day.

3. Write out your goals, hopes and dreams so you can see and read them often.
There is a motivational “power” that comes from taking your goals, hopes and dreams and writing them out on paper. Writing them means you’re “owning” your vision of the future.

4. Visualizing takes a goal and gives it life.
Think of visualizing as your own private motion picture. You write it, star in it and direct the action. Visualizing is more than daydreaming. Visualizing is a relaxed and powerful step-by-step mental motion picture of how your goal will fit into and enhance your life. It’s almost like a mental crystal ball.

5. Affirm the positives.
Affirmations are short present tense statements that affirm the positives. I’ve been saying my own personal affirmation for over twenty years and it is still a comfort for me: “I am worthy and deserving of success, happiness and unlimited prosperity.”

6. A well thought out dream/vision board can be an ongoing source of inspiration and motivation.
Your vision board is an exciting visual representation of your goals. It should be filled with pictures, sayings and motivational materials that have special meaning to you and your future. Place your board somewhere you can see it often, especially when you need a little boost of incentive.

7. Journal and write about the positives of today and the excitement of the future.
Journaling can be a powerful way of getting your thoughts and desires on paper. On those days when a little extra motivation is needed, take out your journal and read about your hopes, dreams, goals and all the things you’ve accomplished.

8. Make time for fun, exercise and relaxation.
Stressing, worrying or fussing over what should or could be done isn’t going to make the positives in life happen faster. Sit back, relax and make time to appreciate your life. Spend time with family, take a walk or read a good book.

9. Develop a strong support network of positive people.
Your support network can be your motivation safety net – these are people to whom you can turn when you're in need of a positive energy booster. Choose you network carefully.

10. Fill your mind with positive books, audio programs and movies.
Whatever you consistently feed into your mind will eventually make its way out into your life. A daily diet of positive and motivational materials will help cultivate a positive and motivated attitude.

This quotation by Sondra Anice Barnes seems to sum it up beautifully: “It's so hard when I have to, and so easy when I want to.”

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