8 STEPS TO MOTIVATE YOU

What’s the difference between a woman who transforms her life and the one who languishes in her boring, burnt-out rut? What makes one person shed three kilograms while another remains a fully paidup member of the baggy sweatshirt brigade? The answer – like it or not – is motivation. If you’re motivated, you really can do pretty well anything – from finding love to learning a new language; from getting fit to starting a new business.

Interestingly, it seems some of us have a flying start in the motivation stakes. “Some people have the fortune to be inspired by go-getting parents or teachers,” says personal development trainer Gael Lindenfield, and author of Self Motivation. “Others were born with a ‘silver spoon’ and luck has given them such an easy passage through life that they have no reason to believe that they can’t have what they want and need.”

But the good news is that we can all learn lessons from those lucky go-getters. You don’t need to bully yourself. This eight-point plan should give you the push you need to achieve your wildest dreams.

1. CHOOSE YOUR GOALS

So you want to change your entire life, every last bit of it; right now; this very minute? Sorry, but that’s a recipe for disaster. Instead start with one goal. Psychologist Philippa Davies, author of Get Up and Grow suggests you ask yourself: What is it exactly that I want to do? How long will it take? What specifically will I achieve at the end? How will I know I’ve achieved it?

So, instead of “I want to be thin,” try, “I want to lose 4kg” and work out the precise effects it’ll have. Alongside this, take a large sheet of paper and stick images onto it that represent what you want to achieve. Put a picture of yourself in the middle and add some encouraging words or phrases. Images talk directly to the subconscious and so have a marvellous way of subtly motivating you.

2. CLEAR ALL CLUTTER

Clutter muddles the mind – subconsciously we’re always worrying about what hasn’t been done. So have