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When you are so busy trying to cross off everything on your holiday checklist, you end up not having enough time for self-care. Motivation takes a backseat to the pressures of a hectic schedule. By the arrival of the new year, you may find yourself physically exhausted and emotionally drained. You end up making resolutions but lack the motivation to actualize your goals. At this point, you may not even be aware of what your true goals are. Start with acceptance of who you are, where you are, and how you feel in the present moment. Be honest with yourself. Are people pleasing behaviors causing you to self-sabotage the plans made for your own life? Are you projecting negativity onto those around you or are others projecting their negative emotions and thoughts onto you? Don’t wait until the new year to make changes. Only you can decide what your level of motivation is going to be. Begin right now.
Have compassion for yourself
Everyone experiences setbacks and unmet expectations especially during the holidays. No one is perfect so try practicing compassion for yourself. Don’t let your inner voice criticize you for what you think you should be doing. The inner critic takes control when you start judging yourself and only makes you feel worse. Recognize that there will be highs and lows. Allow yourself the space to explore the thoughts and emotions that arise when you are feeling less motivated. From a place of acceptance in the current moment, you have the power to choose how you will respond to stressful triggers. Treating yourself with compassion puts you back in control of your life.
Let go of the past
This is easier said than done but, trust me, it has to happen in order to move forward. Past hurts can be particularly troublesome during the holiday season. Conflicts, disappointments, mistakes, and regrets have a way of negatively impacting your current life by dampening your inner passion. Without passion, you lack the fuel to ignite your motivation. The remedy is to discover what you truly value. If your current mission in life is not connected to your true values you will find it very hard to stay motivated. You’ll find that the areas of your life that you enjoy and value the most require the least amount of effort because the desire to succeed comes naturally. Make sure that your goals are aligned with what matters most to you and you will find your joy.
Embrace a fresh start
The mindfulness concept of “beginner’s mind” brings with it a renewed sense of interest that can help restore your motivation. This simply means approaching concepts and experiences as a beginner would. It’s about having an eager attitude, an open mind, and a feeling that infinite possibilities await you. Approaching the new year with the freshness of beginner’s mind could be just what you need to reinvigorate your motivation.
Find your tribe
It is important to connect with a community of like-minded people. Engaging with others on a similar path can be beneficial when you find your motivation starts to lag. Everyone needs a support system to lift them up during the down times and to share the happiness when things are looking up.
