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Doing what’s best for you can be a surprisingly challenging task. Whether you’re running errands, making it to yoga class, or completing a work or creative project, summoning motivation to do the thing can be hard to pin down at best, impossible to find at worst.
Chastising yourself for your perceived apathy, as with all negative or disempowering self-talk, is a waste of time. Instead, why not create conditions that foster motivation and put personal incentives in place? A series of small, thoughtful steps can help get you where you need to go—and make the journey a more enjoyable one.
But if you can’t find the motivation to think about what motivates you, worry not. These ideas from YJ editors, friends, and followers can help transform your slow starts into accessible action.
1. Start before you’re ready
This works for anything in life—from getting to the studio to signing up for a yoga teacher training (YTT) to making small talk at a social gathering. If you wait for the perfect moment to begin, you’ll be waiting forever.
2. Create a personal avatar
Imagine yourself at your perceived “best” and show up as that version of yourself. (Jotting down a few attributes and keeping them handy can be helpful.) More likely than not, this idealized iteration of you will want to do the thing.
3. Mind your music
The right song can shift your mood immediately, so opt for music that you know will get you moving in the right direction.
4. Pick a podcast
If music isn’t quite enough to spur you in from a sluggish state, opt for a podcast that inspires you to show up for yourself.
5. Try one minute of moving.
Get out of your bed or chair and swing your arms, jump up and down, or enjoy some stretching. Getting your blood flowing will up your energy while potentially increasing your desire for more movement.
6. Find an accountability partner.
Roping others into your plan means that you’d let down someone else, not just yourself, making you more likely to stick to your word.
7. Sign up (and even prepay!) for a class or workshop
As with an accountability partner, having a tangible impetus to get to the studio, or wherever else, can offer external encouragement.
8. Honor delayed gratification
The positive feelings that come from completing a task or workout often come after the hard part is over. Know that the benefits are forthcoming.
9. Say yes to treats
Humans are animals and that means the promise of a small reward for taking care of yourself offers something to anticipate. This can be anything, including (but not limited to) a cookie, a nap, or dinner with a friend.
10. Find your balance
Sometimes, a perceived lack of motivation is actually a need for rest or pleasure. Burnout isn’t always a sign of doing too much—it can also be a signal that you’re doing too little of what lights you up.
