It’s been a few long years …

A few years where I found myself repeatedly saying, “it won’t last that long”.

Have you ever felt that?

The feeling that you want to move forward, and things just seem to be dragging … and dragging you down.

You want things to come together faster.  To move ahead quicker.  

You know, at your pace.

Funny enough, that is the actual problem.  We want it to go at our pace.

We lose motivation because it is not going as planned, or as we would like.  That gap is where we slow down.

We feel the gap.  The feeling that things just are not changing or happening fast enough.

The question to ask is, how do you close the gap?

How do you keep moving and get through It? 

How do you get your motivation back?

The gap is uncomfortable.  It feels like one foot in and one foot out, but the out is usually lack of confidence and certainty.  

Here are a few ways you can get your motivation back:

1.  Revisit your why.  Is the why to your dreams and action steps the same, or has your why changed?  It is so easy to forget when changes happen quickly or repeatedly.  But, sometimes your why changes, which then impacts your motivation.  Take some time and determine if your why is the same or needs to be shifted.
2. Make a vision board.  A vision board is a great way to keep your dreams, goals, and the why behind them visible.  The actual creation of your vision board helps you clarify your whys, and then putting it in a spot where you can look at every day helps you stay focused and moving forward.  
3. Keep moving.  Momentum brings with it confidence and clarity.  We so often miss, that to just keep moving can bring the motivation we are desiring.  Instead we try and wait for it.  To gain motivation, take the next step.  One baby step at a time.
4. Don’t look at the small picture.  How often do you frame your today in light of the next five years?  The events in our lives are not single events, but rather they are part of our present that leads to tomorrow.  When you can dream big, in 1 year, 5 years, and 10 year segments today doesn’t look so insignificant.  However, if you look at today alone, you miss the bigger picture.  
5. Be aware of the language you use with yourself.  There is a big difference between “I can’t” and “I can”.  Use language that reminds yourself that you can learn and show up however you choose to.  Don’t have a skill you would like to have?  You can learn it through reading, workshops, training, coaching, etc.  Don’t have the habits that will get  you there?  Practice and develop them.  We believe the stories we tell ourselves, so make sure the stories you are believing are true and use leader language with yourself.
6. Journey with others.  Let them know your dreams.  Tell them when you are discouraged.  Be accountable to them for who you said you want to be.  Embrace and lean into their support and encouragement.  Trust me, running a marathon took a lot longer to train for and run when I did it on my own.  I doubled my speed when I ran with others.  
7. Read stories of how others have overcome hurdles and hardships.  You won’t believe how inspiring other’s stories can be, and how it will change your perspective.  You’ll notice your motivation will begin to shift and your mindset will move to, “if they can do it, then I can do it too!”.

So, the answer?  Yes!  You can get your motivation back.  These steps will help you remember your why and move towards that with confidence.  

Just keep moving, and you will find it.