★ Becoming a mom often means putting some of our dreams on hold temporarily—especially when the kiddos are young and life is all about them. Free time is limited and their needs come first.
★ But as they grow older, I’ve found a little more wiggle room to focus on my passions, like writing. And let's face it, when we truly want something, we moms always find a way to make it happen.
★ Still, staying motivated when you're being pulled in a hundred directions? That’s a different story! From family duties to personal growth, it's easy to feel like you’re running on empty. But don’t worry, staying motivated doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
1) Take One Small Bite-Sized Action Each Day
- Big goals can feel intimidating, but breaking them down into smaller bite-sized chunks makes everything feel more manageable.
- Set your intention to focus on ONE small inspired action at a time, whether it's researching online, reaching out to people/businesses to network, journaling your ideas, learning a new software program, or setting aside a window of time for self-care.
- This approach not only helps reduce stress but also builds momentum—before you know it, you’ve achieved something great! Consistency is the key here.
🔥 Tip: When you wake up, jot down one action you want to take on a sticky note. My mom brain tends to forget things, and this simple habit has been such a game-changer for me!
2) Remember Your Reason WHY
- Whenever motivation starts to wane, reconnect with the reason behind your goals. Whether it’s about enhancing your own well-being, setting a positive example for your children, or pursuing a personal dream, your ‘why’ is the fuel that drives your journey.
- Keep a reminder nearby—like a journal entry or vision board to lift you up and inspire you whenever you hit a rough patch.
🔥 Tip: Write your "why" on a sticky note and place it somewhere visible, like your bathroom mirror or refrigerator as a daily motivator.
3) Be Comfortable with Making Mistakes
- Mistakes are a natural part of life and growth. Rather than letting them discourage you, see them as valuable lessons on your journey. Any setbacks are data that you have collected on what doesn’t work.
- Each "wrong turn" becomes an opportunity to refine our approach and get closer to what truly resonates with us. So let mistakes serve as your guideposts, each one helping to strengthen your resilience and fuel your continued growth.
4) Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection
- When we focus on perfection, we place unrealistic expectations on ourselves. But the truth is, no one has it together all the time. Life with kids is beautifully unpredictable, and things will go off course.
- Embrace the idea that progress isn’t linear and it’s okay to stumble as long as you just keep moving forward…success doesn’t happen overnight. It’s easy to get caught up in striving for perfection, but aiming for progress is where the magic happens.
- Take time to celebrate your wins, no matter how small they seem. Whether you’ve completed a project or simply made it through a hectic day, recognizing your effort fuels motivation and keeps you going.
🔥 Self-Celebration Tip: Keep a “victory jar” and fill it with notes about small achievements or positive moments. On low days, read through them for a boost of encouragement.
5) Practice Self-Compassion
- Children are like little mirrors, reflecting our behaviors and beliefs. When you show yourself kindness and forgiveness, your children see this and learn to do the same. This modeling teaches them that it’s okay to have off days and that everyone deserves kindness—including themselves.
- Self-compassion helps you give yourself permission to be human, acknowledging that challenges are part of your journey.
- Self-compassion helps you bounce back faster and encourages you to stay motivated by focusing on the positive rather than dwelling on the negative.
🔥 Action: When you're feeling down, take a few moments to sit in silence, close your eyes and breathe deeply in through your nose for 4 seconds, hold your breath for 6 seconds, and breathe out through your mouth for 8 seconds. Repeat this for 1 minute.
Staying motivated is all about finding balance, embracing imperfections, and moving forward in baby steps. With these strategies in place, you’ll be able to face struggles with a clearer mind and a stronger heart.
Keep going, Mama—you’ve got this! 💖
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