10 questions to help you stay motivated

Questions are very powerful in helping to point us towards our purpose, maintaining focus and influencing motivation. Everyone has some triggers that help them maintain their motivation. As we are all different, the same strategies and tips may not work for everyone. That’s why it is so important to ask yourself questions and figure out what works for you.

10 questions to help you stay motivated

1. What are my reasons for wanting to achieve my goal?

Taking a step back to think about what makes your goal important to you is a good place to start. It is important to remind yourself what matters to you. Our values can be powerful motivators, so by exploring your values, you may be able to tap into your motivation.

2. What steps do I need to take to move closer to my goal?

Big goals can be overwhelming and decrease your motivation. Breaking your goal into small, manageable steps can help you focus, but also will help you take small actions towards your objectives. Seeing progress and results can also help support your motivation.

3. What would be the consequences of not being motivated to achieve my goal?

Some people are more motivated by the consequences of not achieving something and the negative impact it may have on them, rather than the benefits of achieving it. If you are one of those people, this question may resonate with you very much.

4. What stops or reduces my motivation?

Building awareness about what helps and hinders your motivation is crucial. If you are aware of what it is you need to change, you can take action to make those changes.

5. What obstacles or barriers may affect my motivation?

You know yourself better than anyone else. You know the thoughts you are having and the limiting beliefs that may creep up now and again and affect your motivation. Recognise those obstacles and deal with them one by one.

6. How can I overcome those obstacles?

What can you do to overcome the barriers and obstacles standing in the way of your motivation? Being aware of what may affect your motivation will help you determine what you can do about it.

7. What habits can I create to increase my motivation?

Changing established habits and patterns of thinking can take time, and creating new, positive habits can be one way to support that process.

For example, think of a big tree with strong and deep roots in the ground. That tree has been watered and conditioned for years. It will be difficult to pull the tree out without any additional support, no matter how hard you try.

It may be easier to plant new seeds and give your new tree plenty of water, sunlight and nutrition to help it grow healthy and strong. At the same time, as you give more attention to the new habit, over time it may become stronger while the old pattern becomes less dominant.

8. What tangible reminders do I need to see to stay motivated?

Having visual prompts, pictures, and cues can really help in reminding you what it is that you want or don’t want.

For example, you might keep a picture or reminder of something you're working towards somewhere you'll see it regularly. When motivation dips, a visual cue can remind you why the goal matters to you.

9. Who can support me?

Having a support network and being accountable to someone can help support your motivation. Being able to share your successes, ideas and concerns and talking things through can help you keep your enthusiasm and motivation up.

10. How will I reward myself?

Knowing that there is a reward or treat for your efforts can help you stay motivated.

Taking a relatively small amount of time to ask yourself and answer these questions may help you understand what motivates you and how you can keep moving towards your goals. You can head towards your objectives with your eyes open, ready to deal with any barriers that come along the way.