Life is full of twists and turns, and sometimes we find ourselves veering off course from our goals. If you’ve lost touch with your healthier habits, delayed pursuing a job change, or neglected your fitness routine, you’re not alone. These setbacks can make it hard to regain your motivation and focus. However, rediscovering your path is entirely possible with the right mindset and steps. Here’s how you can get back on track and reignite your motivation.
HOW TO GET BACK ON TRACK: 7 STEPS TO FINDING MOTIVATION + REBUILDING HABITS
1. ASK YOURSELF THE IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
Amidst life’s hectic pace, we can inadvertently ignore our true passions and goals. Have you drifted from a once-loved hobby, or postponed a lifestyle change until things settle down? The longer you sideline these aspects, the more challenging it can be to confront them. This avoidance can spiral into a mindset that simply gives up.
Take a moment to write down your thoughts in a journal. Dig deep into the feelings you’ve been pushing aside. Sometimes, fear of starting anew can deter us. Only by reflecting on these matters can you truly assess your priorities.
“How am I really feeling about this?”
“Is this truly important to me?”
“Am I okay with giving this up?”
“Will I regret quitting, or do I have genuine reasons to realign?”
Allow yourself time for introspection and, above all, be truthful with your evaluations.
2. FOCUS ON SMALL STEPS TO GET BACK ON TRACK
Contemplating the overall goal can often feel overwhelming. Rather than fixating on the end result, concentrate on small, manageable steps. What can you do today, even right now, that brings you closer to your aspirations?
3. SCHEDULE A TIME TO PUT IN THE WORK
Establishing a structured routine can significantly aid in revitalizing your habits. Consider incorporating your new activities into your calendar using tools like time-blocking or employing habit-stacking.
Creating a new schedule involves reviewing your daily activities and identifying slots for your goals. The challenge lies in maintaining discipline and accountability for following through. With habit-stacking, you can adapt established routines to incorporate new, beneficial habits. For instance:
- After brewing your morning coffee, drink a glass of water.
- Before bed, identify five things you’re grateful for.
This method utilizes existing habits as cues for integrating new behaviors that enhance your life. For further reading on this concept, refer to this article.
4. STICK TO THE PLAN
Accountability and discipline are crucial for sticking to your renewed schedule. Life is unpredictable, and deviations will occur. Missing a day doesn’t equate to failure; just as one skipped workout won’t erase your progress overnight. It’s normal to falter, but what matters is your commitment to your routine.
If you can’t meditate for the full 10 minutes, take just 30 seconds to breathe deeply. If you can’t read an entire book chapter, focus on one. Even small tasks contribute to continued progress and reinforce your commitment to your goals.
5. RECOGNIZE ALL SUCCESS
No achievement is too small to acknowledge. If you’ve consistently tried to wake up 30 minutes early and only manage 5, celebrate that progress instead of feeling disheartened. Recognize and appreciate any victories, no matter how minor. This positivity can fuel your commitment and motivation.
6. FORGET EVERYTHING THAT’S BEYOND YOUR CONTROL
Challenges can range from minor annoyances to significant life changes. In either case, the key to moving forward is focusing solely on what you can influence. Avoid dwelling on “what ifs” or waiting for the perfect moment to act—such thoughts only foster stagnation.
If you catch yourself saying:
“Things will improve when…”
“I’ll refocus when…”
“What if this never happened?”
Recognize these as excuses. Embrace the discomfort of your current situation, and understand that progress is possible regardless of imperfections. Your journey might be challenging, but striving to move forward—no matter how small the steps—beats surrendering to excuses.
7. MOTIVATION TO GET BACK ON TRACK HAS TO COME FROM WITHIN
When motivation seems elusive, remember that the responsibility for rediscovering it lies with you. It’s rarely as simple as a motivational quote or inspiring video. If achieving your dreams were effortless, everyone would be living their ideal lives. Real progress involves overcoming obstacles and personal challenges.
A powerful tool for reigniting motivation is to ask yourself: why?
Why did I want to learn guitar?
Why do I want to commit to fitness again?
Why should I return to a plant-based diet?
Why will I never give up on writing?
Reflecting on the reasons behind your goals can provide the motivation you need to push through challenges. These habits contribute to your happiness and fulfillment, making them worth rebuilding.
