Finding Motivation & Inspiration to Achieve Your Goals and Crush the New Year
Happy New Year, everyone!! Is it just me, or is there an inspiring energy in the air this week? I have been loving all of the motivational posts and quotes I’ve been seeing on social media and around the internet. The energy has been palpable so far… I walked back into my office yesterday and it seemed like everyone was glowing, motivated, and all around on fire. I love that type of energy in the environment around me! I don’t know about you, but I find it’s easy to ride a wave of motivation & inspiration when everyone around you is setting goals and working hard on achieving them.
You might remember my New Years Resolutions. I’m really trying to bring some of my visions to life this year, and there’s no better time to start than now. I thought I’d kick off the year’s first post with all the things that inspire me to keep pushing towards my goals (even when the going gets tough!) and will hopefully do the same for you. I find that finding motivation and inspiration around me is so important to keep going, no matter what my goal is.
As much positive energy there is in the air right now, inevitably by the time the end of January rolls around, most people will be onto the next big thing. If this is the year you’re set on achieving your goals, it’s important to play the long game and stay focused for longer than a few weeks. For me, this year is about cultivating a vision around growth and intention. Knowing my worth and and continuing to work on myself, my career, and my side hustle.
Inspiration comes and goes. There are some days I wake up so ready to take on the day and tackle my to-do list. Then there are days when all I want to do is lay in bed and binge watch TV (and I definitely allow myself these days!). Again, I’m a huge believer in the long game – small, consistent changes and actions add up over time and give you the results you want over time. It’s impossible to be completely fired up and motivated ALL DAY EVERYDAY (if that’s you, please share your secrets!) – and that’s not what I’m advocating for at all.
Some of my favorite quotes that inspire me all have a similar theme – the belief that you have control over your life and have the power to make positive changes and accomplish your goal. Of course there is always an element of luck in life, but rather than feeling sorry for yourself or wishing you had different circumstances (which is out of control), why not focus on the things that you can control?
What inspires and motivates you?
Where do you go to find motivation and inspiration? I’m sharing some of mine below:
+ The people in my life.
Invest in people who care about you and your personal growth. Having a mentor in career and life is so incredibly important when it comes to stay laser focused on a goal, knowing when to deviate, and learning how to deal with setbacks. I owe so much to the ones I have in my life.
+ Motivational and inspirational podcasts.
As you know, I am such a sucker for a good podcast. The ones that never fail to inspire me? How I Built This, Ted Talks, and Girlboss Radio with Sophia Amaruso (< I love Sophia Amaruso and find her to be SO inspiring. Regardless of what you think of Nasty Gal, listening to her podcast you can tell she learned so many lessons from her mistakes and is growing as an entrepreneur).
There’s something incredibly inspiring about listening to successful entrepreneurs and people share their stories and talk about how they got to where they are. These make my long commute to work fly by : ). One question that is always asked on How I Built This that I absolutely love – how much of your success do you attribute to luck vs. your talent and hard work? The answers vary, but most of the entrepreneurs interviewed on the podcast acknowledge the element of luck (being in the right place at the right time), but also give themselves credit in being able to take an idea and turn it into something greater.
+ Books.
Every year I set a goal to read a certain number of books, this year is no exception. It’s always a balance between the latest fiction and nonfiction best sellers and recommendations from friends. I always try to include some inspirational and motivational books in my reading list. Some of my favorites from last year: You are a Badass, Option B, and Grit. (< definitely want to do more book posts this year!)
+ Blogs.
There are so many inspiring people on the internet just living their everyday lives and crushing it. One of my favorite series right now – New York Magazine’s How I Get It Done.
+ Motivational Quotes and Positive Affirmations.
I keep a list of some of my favorite motivational quotes on my Pinterest and in my iPhone notes and daily journal. These remind me to keep my eyes on the prize and focus on myself and my goals. I find affirmations to be incredibly powerful – not in their ability to manifest change or growth out of thing air, but in how they constantly remind ourselves of our goals and intentions. One thing I’m trying this year is setting a daily calendar alert with a positive, goal-oriented affirmation.
+ Meditation.
I find I’m able to think more clearly and stay more focused when my mind is rested and calm. When I feel tired or unmotivated, I make sure to get some extra sleep and spend more time looking inward – the combination of hot yoga with meditation almost always does the trick and gets me back on track ASAP. I’m a huge believer in the mind-body connection and swear that when I take care of my body, my mind follows.
What is your motivation and inspiration to crush it this year?
What inspires you to keep going? Some of the best advice I’ve received – start early and start now. Excited to share more with all of you this year!
xx, Amy
I love this whole go-getter mentality! Great post!
Briana
https://beyoutifulbrunette.com/
Loooove this post babe! I like how you said it! I agree that the long game is so important to follow..small, consistent changes overtime will definitely catch up with you and benefit you in the long run! <3
XO, Jessi
https://jmalay.com/best-moments-2017/
Really enjoyed this post so much, Amy 🙂 Thank you for always sharing so much positive and inspiring content. I think it’s so important to find motivation and inspiration, as well as set goals, but I can’t agree more that it’s ok to allow yourself some down time. Just like you, the people around me, as well as motivational stories/books always help to give me more inspiration! <3 Wishing you a wonderful 2018, love! Sending you lots of love and encouragement!
XO, Elizabeth
http://clothestoyouuu.com/
great and thoughtful post Amy! I definitely believe as yourself in the long game. xx
http://www.elegantduchess.com/2018/01/04/new-year-gold-leaf-detail-dress-and-nails-elegant-duchess/
I love all the motivation. It’s really good to motivate, and get done with stuff and then relax.
http://sugarcoatedbears.blogspot.com/
Thanks for the motivation ideas! Sometimes all I want to do is curl in bed because I lack motivation XS But seriously love the “grass is green where you water it” quote <3
http://www.rosegoldrhyme.com
Such an amazing post, really!
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